Cecil College Magazine 2026 - Magazine - Page 30
HONOR SOCIETY
START HERE, TRANSFER THERE
NEXT STOP: SUCCESS
Seahawks Excel After Transfer and Lead PTK to Five-Star Recognition
TRANSFER SUCCESS
Students who get their start at Cecil College are not just transferring, they’re thriving
at four-year institutions across Maryland, outperforming peers and setting new
academic benchmarks.
According to the latest report from the Maryland Higher Education Commission
(MHEC), 96.4 percent of Cecil students who transferred during the 2023–2024
academic year maintained a GPA of 2.0 or higher, surpassing the state average and
earning Cecil the second-highest ranking among all Maryland community colleges.
Even before transfer, these students demonstrated exceptional academic
performance, posting an average cumulative GPA of 3.49, the highest in the state.
As Maryland works toward its 2025 higher education goals, Cecil College is setting
the standard for student preparation, transfer success, and long-term academic
achievement.
The success of Cecil College students is based on the state’s analysis of transfer
outcomes for those who earned at least 12 credits before transferring and were
enrolled at a Maryland public four-year institution during the Fall 2023 or Spring 2024
semesters. As Maryland continues to track community college transfer success in
alignment with the 2025 completion goals, Cecil College remains a leader in fostering
academic excellence and preparing students for long-term achievement.
Information for the 2024-2025 academic year will be available in summer 2026.
28 | CECIL COLLEGE MAGAZINE
Seahawk academic success is
underscored by Cecil College’s Alpha
Alpha Theta (AAT) chapter of Phi
Theta Kappa (PTK) which earned and
maintained the coveted Five-Star status
among honor societies in 2024 and
2025. This is the highest honor a chapter
can receive, providing the organization
with local, regional, and international
recognition. This achievement marks a
significant step forward for the chapter,
which was consistently a three-star
chapter in previous years, and illustrates
the dedication and hard work of its
members and leadership.
PTK awards stars each year based on
five key areas of achievement: Reach,
Engage, Network, Lead, and Discover.
By excelling in each of these categories,
AAT demonstrated its commitment
to fostering academic excellence,
contributing meaningfully to the
community, and enhancing student
engagement.
Key initiatives contributing to Five-Star
status include the launch of a publicfacing PTK webpage on Cecil College’s
website, increasing awareness and
accessibility for prospective members,
and the Angel Tree Initiative which
provides donated gift cards to students
in need. Additional efforts included a
de-stressor event in partnership with the
Academic Success Center, SETT tutors,
and the Mental Health Coordinator, as
well as a growing Words of Affirmation
wall in the campus Prayer, Reflection and
Meditation Room.
