Heartland Community College students named to All-Illinois Academic Team

Two Heartland Community College Students have been named to the Illinois All-Academic team for community colleges.  

Heartland students Ava Doran and Carolina Joaquin Carmona were named to the All-Illinois Academics by Phi Theta Kappa, the international two-year college honor society. 

The All-Illinois Academic Team is a program that recognizes high-achieving community college students in Illinois. Two students from each community college are chosen based on demonstrated academic excellence and leadership, both in and outside the classroom. The college's Phi Theta Kappa leadership nominates the two students. Students who are nominated for the All-Illinois Academic Team are then in the running for the All-USA Academic Team, which awards a $5000 scholarship. 

Ava Doran, from Bloomington, is studying Criminal Justice at Heartland Community College. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and the Workforce 180 program. After graduation, she plans to transfer to a 4-year College to pursue a psychology degree or enter the workforce as a child advocate. 

Carolina Joaquin Carmona, from Bloomington, is a recent graduate of Heartland where she studied Criminal Justice and Psychology before transferring to Illinois State University in January of 2025. At Heartland, she was an active member of the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS). She has a passion for supporting individuals with special needs and has worked as a teaching assistant for students with disabilities. She plans to pursue a master’s program in crime data analytics after completing her bachelor’s degree.    

The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-Illinois Academic Team recognizes and celebrates outstanding Illinois community college students, highlighting the quality of education provided by the state's community and two-year colleges. 

About Phi Theta Kappa: 

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society to recognize the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and help them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.