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Miyuki Zerke: Outstanding Student Award

Miyuki Zerke stands on stage to accept an award at MCCC's Honors Reception.

Miyuki Zerke won three awards including Faculty Association Outstanding Student Award at MCCC's 2017 Honors Reception. 

Zerke has big plans for her future. 

“I would like to apply for internship for the FBI and the CIA,” Zerke said.

She plans to study Arabic with a minor in French at Michigan State University, and she plans to use that knowledge to work as a translator and interpreter.

“I like being able to talk to people who others can’t understand,” she said.

Zerke thanks Political Science professor Joanna Sabo for instilling these values within her.

“I’d like to thank Dr. Sabo,” Zerke said. “She’s helped me to realize that there’s so many other cultures out there that we need to be aware of.”

Though it hasn’t always been easy, Zerke has balanced many different responsibilities in her time here.

Zerke has been a member of the International Studies Club for the last three years, a former member of Student Government for two years, and a member of the Ambassador Club for two years.

Although she is busy, she has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average and is preparing to embark on MCCC’s Study Abroad program to Italy and Greece. 

“I’d say the greatest obstacle was managing my time,” she said.

She said her work in these programs is the reason she won the Outstanding Student Award.

“I think it had to do with my contribution to the campus itself,” Zerke said.

Zerke not only won the Outstanding Student Award, but she also won the President’s Academic Achievement Award and the Outstanding Diversity Program of the Year Award alongside the International Studies Club.

Zerke attributes these awards to her strong work ethic.

“It feels like all the hours of studying has paid off,” Zerke said.

Zerke left with some words of encouragement to anyone who seeks success.

“If you set your mind and work hard at it, you can achieve anything,” she said.