May 6
Three North Shore Community College (NSCC) students were among numerous outstanding Massachusetts community college students named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2025 All-Massachusetts Academic Team.
Student awardees, some of the highest academic achievers of the state’s 15-member community college system, will be honored at a celebratory ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House on May 9, 2025.
North Shore’s 2025 Phi Theta Kappa All-Massachusetts Academic Team members are: Ashley Braswell, from Lynn, Cassandra Kinsella, from Beverly, and Gianna Lang, from Ipswich.
Ashley Braswell started her journey at NSCC by earning a certificate in Child Youth Advocacy. The
mother of two then decided to pursue an associate degree in Human Services and will
be graduating in 2025. “During my time at North Shore I landed an internship at LYSOA
(Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy) and that internship turned into a full-time
position,” said Braswell. “I get to work with the highest-risk youth within our city
as a street outreach worker. College has made a huge impact on my career with all
the knowledge I have gained and is preparing me for my future. My future plans are
to continue my education and work for the state.”
Liberal Arts student Gianna Lang is a member of the Student Government Association and currently serves as NSCC’s
student trustee. She belongs to the
National Society of Leadership and Success and is the President of the Phi Theta
Kappa Honor Society. One week after wrapping up her freshman year at NSCC, Lang traveled
to Greece to participate in a month-long study abroad program at the American College
of Greece. It was her first time abroad and she was terrified as she had only ever
lived at home. “I can confidently say that the experience not only changed my view
on myself and what I'm capable of, but also my view on life and what any opportunity
I may take has to offer,” she said. Lang will be continuing her studies this fall
at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Cassandra Kinsella, a student in the Criminal Justice program, developed a strong foundation in criminal
justice and discovered a deep passion for advocacy and social work while at NSCC.
The faculty and coursework have helped her shape her long-term goals and solidified
her desire to work with youth in vulnerable situations. “After graduation, I will
be transferring to Arizona State University to pursue my bachelor’s degree in social
work, followed by graduate school,” she said. “My goal is to work in the juvenile
justice system, focusing on helping kids transition out of foster care and juvenile
detention into stable and successful adult lives.”
“We are incredibly proud of these students and in particular their drive and determination to maintain the highest academic standards,” said Dr. William Heineman, President of North Shore Community College. “They are a testament to the fact that you can truly do whatever you set your mind to.”
Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two-year colleges, and has recognized and encouraged scholarship among community college students for more than 100 years while promoting the academic integrity of the associate degree program. Students with grade point averages of 3.5 or higher are invited to join Phi Theta Kappa.