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�鶹Ӱ�� faculty and staff select one Academic Excellence Award winner each academic year during the spring semester.

Academic Excellence Award nominees must be actively pursuing an associate degree or diploma. Nominees also must have a cumulative grade point average of 4.0, have completed credits greater than or equal to 30, and be enrolled in the spring semester. A committee of three individuals reviews all applications and recommends a final nominee to �鶹Ӱ�� President JB Buxton for selection.

2025 Academic Excellence Award Winner:
Suwimon Panalak Martin

Born and raised in Bangkok, Suwimon Panalak Martin came to the United States as an au pair after graduating from college in 2004. Martin served in the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard, serving one tour in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012.

“After deployment, I worked as an pre-K assistant teacher before I returned to school for a graduate degree in teaching,” Martin said.  

Martin was teaching when she began working with disadvantaged children.

“I know this is what I am here to do,” she said. “While I was deciding to go back to school, I came across the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at �鶹Ӱ��.”

Martin had a chance to work with occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants during her time in the classroom.

“Occupational therapists and OTAs are such amazing people,” Martin said. “Each helped my students to reach their full potential in their occupations. They inspired me to go back to school.”

It was not easy. Being a mom, a wife, working part-time and studying were a lot to juggle. As an English as a Second Language student, learning some subjects were like learning a third language, but Martin persevered.

“I give all the credit to my �鶹Ӱ�� teachers,” Martin said. “Each spent extra time outside the classroom working with me. They were willing to answer my questions whenever I got stuck with the lesson. They have changed the way I feel about learning science and they trusted I could succeed.”

Martin said the Veterans Educational Benefits office has been helpful in guiding her through the process of using her G.I. Bill.  She also thanks the �鶹Ӱ�� Writing Center staff who spent hours helping her learn how to write academically.

“I would not have gotten accepted into the OTA program without each of these people,” she said. “As a current OTA student, I am also working part time as a direct support professional at a retirement home for seniors who have intellectual disabilities.”

Martin said the job helps her apply her knowledge from the classroom into real life.

“Even though I work with seniors now, my goal is to be a pediatric OTA,” Martin said. “Through the experience I have with the OTA and clinical processes, I learned more about personal growth, friendship, empathy and advocacy for others. I graduate in May 2026.”

Martin said she knows she will be a successful OTA because of the foundation and knowledge she gained at �鶹Ӱ�� from the OTA program.

“What I love most about �鶹Ӱ�� is the dedication of all my instructors and how well they have prepared us for the program. It is very well designed and made me feel confident and competent,” Martin said. “As Samuel Beckett wrote in ‘Waiting for Godot,’ ‘The road is so long when life is all alone.’ My success at �鶹Ӱ�� is not just about me. It is about the support I have received from the school, faculty, staff and classmates. I do not feel my road is long and empty. It may be long and difficult, but it fills me with positive energy and encouragement.”