Students Named to 2024-25 All-USA/All-Pennsylvania Academic Team
April 30, 2025
Two Westmoreland County Community College students were named to the 2024-25 All-USA/All-Pennsylvania Academic Team sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.
Westmoreland students Sofia Francia of Rostraver Township and Sydney Bodenheimer of Mt. Pleasant were selected as honorees based on their academic achievement and service to the college.
Francia received recognition as a transfer award winner and will graduate with an associate of arts degree in Early Childhood Education/Pre-K with high honors. She plans to continue her education at PennWest University. A distinguished, dedicated and driven student, Francia has maintained a near-perfect 4.0 grade point average while balancing her rigorous coursework and part-time employment.
“I received a President’s Scholarship which covered my two years at Westmoreland,” Francia said. “It helped to keep me motivated because I needed to maintain my GPA and also required that I become a Student Ambassador.”
As an ambassador, Francia took on leadership roles in representing the college to current and prospective students as well as their families.
For the award, Francia received a fully-paid two-year scholarship to attend PennWest University where she will pursue a degree in early Childhood Education.
Bodenheimer, an academic Workforce winner, will graduate with an associate of fine arts degree in Graphic Design in May.
During her time at Westmoreland, she had to overcome several medical situations including knee surgeries and an emergency cholecystectomy which Bodenheimer said taught her “strength, patience and the importance of self-care.”
In her nomination, her professor Alan Laick said that her ability to adapt and excel under difficult circumstances is a testament to her character.
“Despite her obstacles, she consistently produced work of outstanding quality and showcased her commitment to learning,” Laick said.
Bodenheimer accepted an internship in her hometown of Mt. Pleasant and looks forward to continued learning and strives to build her own graphic design company.
Transfer students must have completed at least 36 credits at a community college and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to be considered for these awards. Workforce students must have a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours at a community college and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
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The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges is a voluntary membership association for Pennsylvania’s community colleges. Its members include the college presidents, members of the colleges’ boards of trustees, and key college administrators. The Commission represents the interests of and advocates for the collective needs of the community colleges to federal and state policymakers. For more information, visit www.pacommunitycolleges.org.