South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) today announced its two students being recognized as members of the All-Washington Academic Team: Caleb Schaefer and Carmen McElroy. The ceremony will honor students from each of the state’s 34 community and technical colleges and will be hosted virtually on SPSCC’s YouTube channel on April 23, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.
Caleb Schaefer is a father, husband, and veteran whose path to education was shaped by perseverance and service. While he lives with ADHD, serious injuries, and military trauma, he does not let that define him. Instead, Caleb’s experiences fuel his passion towards becoming a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker to guide others through life's challenges. He currently serves as President of SPSCC’s Veterans Club and works at the VALOR Center supporting fellow veterans.
Carmen McElroy is a queer Native scientist and activist. Her identity is deeply rooted in the land and communities she serves. She aims to protect the waters her ancestors have stewarded through research on deep-sea carbon sequestration. Beyond research, Carmen hopes to inspire Native youth to enter spaces without compromising their cultural identity. All-WA recognition will support her mission to find science-based solutions to help communities and waters heal.
Scholarship Sponsors
Each All-Washington Academic Team member will receive a Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) medallion and a $210 scholarship from KeyBank. The top 16 students, as ranked by PTK, will receive an additional $780 from Washington State Employees Credit Union and the top three will receive an additional $1,000 from the Washington State Association of College Trustees.
About the All-Washington Academic Team and Phi Theta Kappa
The All-Washington Academic Team program recognizes and honors our state's finest higher education students. The students who make up the All-Washington Team reflect the diversity of the state, maintain high standards of excellence, and contribute positively to the community. Their stories are often inspiring, sometimes surprising, and always reflective of the larger story of the state's community and technical college students.
To qualify for the All-Washington Academic Team, students must be part of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society for two-year colleges. Phi Theta Kappa has recognized and encouraged scholarships among two-year college students for more than 90 years by providing stimulation and enrichment while promoting the academic integrity of the associate degree program. All-Washington Academic Team members will also be ranked at a national level, with a chance to be included in the All-USA Academic Team.
