CCAC’s Minnie Jones wins ‘Student of the Year’ award

Transferring to Point Park soon to continue studying civil engineering

Minnie Jones, a Community College of Allegheny County student who’s in her last semester, will be exiting CCAC on a high note.

A really high one, as in “Student of the Year.”

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Jones, a resident of Whitehall, recently was awarded the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Employers JoAnne Day Student of the Year Award in the associate degree category.

Jones is studying civil engineering at CCAC, and currently is an apprentice with the Pittsburgh Public Allies program, working with the organization Vibrant Pittsburgh. After CCAC, she plans to transfer to Point Park University.
While at CCAC, Jones was secretary for the Student Government Association and the Improv, Film and Theatre Club. Jones also was a student ambassador and member of the Campus Activities Board, Women on a Mission, Campus Enhancement Committee, Stand for the Silent, Gaming Society and softball team. She also pursued her love for the theater by performing on stage and participating in marketing campaigns for the Film and Humanities departments.

The Courier learned that Jones has been a mentee and ambassador for Vibrant Pittsburgh’s Connections Accelerator Mentorship Program. The program matches underrepresented college students with mentors who are professionals in their field of study and help mentees learn about job opportunities in the field. Students experience real-life work environments, discuss their goals and gain a better understanding of careers in the Pittsburgh region.

Jones is also part of the Pathway to Professional Careers program, which is a partnership between CCAC, Point Park University and Partner4Work, CCAC told the Courier in a release. As a participant, she was connected to Partner4Work’s Learn & Earn paid summer internship program and was selected to be a civil engineering intern by construction firm PJ Dick, Trumbull and Lindy Paving. The internship helped Jones enhance her knowledge of the engineering field, secure hands-on experience working on construction sites, learn about project management and expand her professional network.

One of the requirements of the JoAnne Day Student of the Year Award is that the student must have completed an internship or co-op. CCAC said that Jones’ work ethic, professionalism and enthusiasm resulted in her successfully completing her internship at Partner4Work and impressing the committee members for the award.

“Minnie Jones is a very impressive student, and she has had a stellar year with all that she has been able to accomplish,” said Dean Jolin, executive director of Workforce & Job Readiness at CCAC, in a release. “She is extremely focused and diligent while also being receptive to feedback, which helped her to attain some amazing opportunities. She has been an inspiration to me and many others at CCAC and beyond.”

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