South Seattle College Honors 2025 President’s Medal of Scholarship Recipients
Each year, South Seattle College presents the President’s Medal of Scholarship to graduating students who demonstrate academic excellence, resilience in the face of adversity, and dedication to the service of others. The award is one of the college’s highest student honors, with recipients nominated by faculty and staff and selected by the President’s Cabinet.
Congratulations to the 2025 awardees: Jesse DeLeon, Beau Dinnison, Kelly (Khanh Linh) Nguyen, and Heba Qatrani.
This year, we’re proud to spotlight Heba Qatrani, a graduating Associate of Arts student with plans to transfer into a public policy major as a pre-law student. Heba completed her degree in June and says receiving the President’s Medal of Scholarship “means so much” to her after years of dedication and growth at South.
“From Running Start to graduation, I’ve tried my best to navigate college and contribute to my community however I can while pursuing any and all opportunities presented to me,” Heba shared. “Being at South has taught me to make the most of my situation and allowed me a unique opportunity to be connected with students across the greater Seattle area, working with them to make meaningful impacts on our collegiate experience.”
In her nomination of Heba, South instructor Zahra Alavi said, “For quite a long time, students have wanted a robust Muslim Student Association. Heba contacted me about starting the club and needing a faculty advisor, which I was overjoyed to be. She was off and running, recruiting a full board and members, setting up an amazing Ramadan festival, growing membership, and connecting with the community and government. She started this here and with the maturity and foresight to recruit new board members, so while she will go far, this club will be here for Muslims students to come.”
Heba’s journey is a reminder of the impact one student can have and the bright future that awaits all our honorees.