Students from EC’s Honor Transfer Program were awarded the Exemplary Student Scholarship during the 12th Annual, Honors Transfer Council Student Research Conference for California Community Colleges on March 31 at UC Irvine.

Kevin Hopp and Natalie Stumph were the students that were nominated by co-directors, Joseph Holliday and Darrell Thompson.

“I’m really happy, this is the first year in several years we’ve had both students who were nominated, win,” Holliday, said.

Each participating college may only nominate two students who must be in good standing in an honors or scholars program.

“To be chosen was a great honor,” Hopp said.

The EC Honors Transfer Program has at least twenty students who are highly motivated who have a cumulative GPA of 3.1 and goal oriented in transferring to a university to complete a bachelor’s degree.

“I’m very grateful because there are a lot of honor students in the program,” Hopp said.

In addition to being in good academic standing and nominated by a director the student must also submit a 500-word essay addressing specific criteria in their application.

“I was pretty surprised, I didn’t expect to win it,” Stumph said.

Both students are active members in the Honors Transfer Club as Hopp serves as president and Stumph serves as vice-president.

The HTC has allowed both Stumph and Hopp bigger opportunities in the future, a chance to meet a lot great people, and great connections, Stumph said.

Both Hopp and Stumph hope that more students in the Honors Transfer Program will participate in next year’s conference.

“I don’t see why a lot of student’s don’t get involved in the honors transfer program,” Stumph said. “Especially being in a community college, being given the opportunity to network, why not surround yourself in a great atmosphere,” she added.