Daytona State student selected for Fla. College System Academic Team

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2015) – Daytona State College student Melissa Diaz has been named to the Florida College System's 2015 All-Florida Academic Team, which recognizes outstanding students for their academic achievement, leadership and service to their communities.

Diaz will graduate this spring with an associate of arts degree. As president of the Mu Rho Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society, she has conducted bowling and movie nights for the Conklin Center for the Blind, participated in the Heart Walk for the American Heart Association and has helped sponsor blood drives on campus.

Under her leadership, Daytona State's PTK chapter launched an "Honors in Action Project" that focuses on community health awareness. Diaz also is one of the few community college students ever to present a scholarly paper to the Florida Political Science Association. She plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in political science and ultimately wants to earn a law degree.

Diaz will be among students to be recognized at an awards ceremony in Tallahassee on April 9.

Hosted by the Florida College System and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Florida Region, the event recognizes outstanding students attending Florida's state colleges, as well as institutions associated with Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. The All-Florida Academic Team is composed of students who have been nominated by their respective colleges to the All-USA Academic Team competition sponsored by USA Today and the PTK International Honor Society. Students are nominated based on their academic achievement, leadership and service to the community.

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