For Immediate Release
April 27, 2026

Suffolk County Community College Students Honored as 2026 Phi Theta Kappa, All-New York Academic Team Members, and Coca-Cola Scholars

Several Suffolk County Community College students were honored with Phi Theta Kappa awards. For hi-res images, visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7UdDWDNxT6msyo9h8

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is an international honor society that recognizes the academic achievement of two-year college students. PTK provides opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, community service and fellowship programming. This year the following students from Suffolk County Community College were recognized by PTK with the following awards:

Ammerman Campus (Selden)   

• Muhammad Fahed Butt (Lake Grove) - Hites Scholarship
• Nicole Leach (Holbrook) - PTK All-State
• William Yeamans (Mt. Sinai) - PTK All-State, Coca-Cola Scholar**

Eastern Campus (Riverhead)    

• Genevieve Burrell (Calverton) - PTK- All State, Coca-Cola Scholar**
• Caelan LaPrelle (Northport) - PTK- All State, Coca-Cola Scholar**

Michael J. Grant Campus (Brentwood)

• Sukhman Ghuman (Central Islip) - PTK All-State
• Cosette Yildiz (Kings Park) - PTK All-State

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation recognizes students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to service. Each scholar will receive a $1,300 scholarship and a commemorative medallion. The program is administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of these students, who embody the spirit of academic excellence and community service,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College. “Their hard work, leadership, and dedication to their communities exemplify the very best of what Suffolk County Community College stands for.”

About the Students:

Genevieve Burrell of Calverton, a Sociology major, maintains a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the past two years. She serves as President of the Creative Writing Club, Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, and a Peer Mentor and Get There From Here Scholar.

Caelan LaPrelle of Northport, a Marine Biology major, holds a 3.7 GPA and is a Get There From Here Scholar. Caelan serves as President of the Campus Activities Board, Acting President of the Honors Club, and a Peer Mentor, and is a recipient of the Emerging Student Leader Award.

William Yeamans of Mount Sinai, an Adolescent Education–English major, holds a 3.6 GPA and has earned Dean’s List honors every semester for the past two years. He serves as President of the Society of Writers and Editor-in-Chief of Perspectives Literary Magazine.

Muhammad Fahed Butt, a computer science major, maintains an outstanding 3.9 GPA and has earned Dean’s List honors each semester for the past two years. He actively contributes to campus life, serving as Vice President of Fellowship for Phi Theta Kappa, Secretary of the Muslim Student Association, and as a tutor with TRIO Student Support Services, where he supports fellow students in achieving academic success.

Sukhman Ghuman of Central Islip, a Liberal Arts major, holds a 3.7 GPA and serves as President of the Rotaract Club. She led a campus-wide coat drive supporting Mercy Haven Inc. and interned with the Mary Lyons Foundation, helping organize events and raise funds.

Cosette Yildiz of Kings Park, a Political Science major, holds a 3.7 GPA and serves as President of the Student Government Association. An Honors student, she has interned with the Suffolk County Legislature and Babylon Delivers, strengthening her interest in public service.

Nicole Leach of Holbrook, a Healthcare Studies major, holds a 3.8 GPA and has earned Dean’s List honors every semester for the past two years. She serves as a Peer Mentor, Orientation Leader, and Campus Activities Board leader, and is an active volunteer at the campus food pantry.

About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 26,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With approximately 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school to college and into careers.

About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping 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. Learn more at ptk.org.