Two Students Join All-Tennessee Academic Team

Walters State students Karina Mesa Ramirez and Shannon Erickson were named to the All-Tennessee Academic Team. From left are Dr. Lisa Eccles, professor of biology and PTK chapter advisor; Ramirez; Erickson; and Dr. Saul Reyes, president of Walters State.

Team Recognizes Academic Achievement, Community Service, Leadership

Two Walters State students have been named to the 2026 All-Tennessee Academic Team, sponsored by the Tennessee Board of Regents and Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community college students. Only 26 community college students from across Tennessee received the honor. 

Karina Mesa Ramirez, a pre-imaging science major from Sevierville, and Shannon Erickson, a general studies major from Parrottsville, were honored during an honors luncheon hosted by TBR. Students are chosen for this honor based on academic achievement, leadership potential and community service. 

Ramirez serves as vice president of fellowship for PTK, is a biology tutor and was named a PTK Global Leaders of Promise Scholar. She plans to transfer to East Tennessee State University and continue her studies in radiologic science.

Erickson is a member of the Walters State Debate Team, the science club, and is completing an undergraduate research project focused on Tennessee waterways. She plans to transfer to the University of Tennessee to study ecology and evolutionary science, pursuing a career in conservation.