39 Chargers, all 5 Sandburg women’s teams earn NJCAA All-Academic honors for 2025-26

 Sandburg had 39 student-athletes and all five of its women’s programs earn NJCAA academic awards for the 2025-26 school year.

Ten Chargers student-athletes posted a perfect grade point average, highlighting the 39 Chargers who earned NJCAA All-Academic honors. On top of those individual accolades, all five Sandburg women’s sports teams — softball, volleyball, women’s basketball, women’s cross country and women’s golf — were recognized as an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year for recording a team GPA of at least 3.0.

Student-athletes who achieved a GPA of at least 3.60 were eligible for NJCAA All-Academic honors. In addition to the 10 Chargers who were named NJCAA All-Academic First Team for having a perfect 4.0 GPA, nine received second-team honors (3.80-3.99 GPA), and 20 earned third-team honors (3.60-3.79 GPA).

Eight Chargers teams had at least NJCAA All-Academic honoree. Baseball had the most recipients of any sport, with 11. Four Chargers earned NJCAA All-Academic honors for the second consecutive year.

Sandburg's women’s golf (3.53), women’s cross country (3.27), women's basketball (3.14), volleyball (3.13) and softball (3.07) teams were recognized as 2025-26 NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year. Squads had to attain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA to qualify for NJCAA Academic Team of the Year consideration.

Across the NJCAA, a total of 13,723 student-athletes were awarded all-academic honors for the 2025-26 season. The association recognized 1,446 teams as Academic Teams of the Year.

NJCAA ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM (4.0 GPA)

• Addison Gillen (volleyball)
• Qetsia Kamdem (women’s cross country)
• Kellan Keane (baseball)
• Antonia Kisler (women’s basketball)*
• Lakinn Larson (softball)
• Connor McLauchlan (men’s soccer)
• Caio Oliveira (men’s soccer)*
• Reese Poole (softball)
• Jessica Schultz (women’s golf)
• Allison Thome (women’s golf)

NJCAA ALL-ACADEMIC SECOND TEAM (3.80-3.99 GPA)

• Landon Binder (baseball)
• Braeden Brennan (men’s golf)
• Lillian Covarrubias (women’s basketball)*
• Brady Johnson (baseball)
• Anna Landis (women’s basketball)
• Macy Nolan (volleyball)
• Carter Ramsey (baseball)
• Abigail Shaffer (volleyball)
• Tieler Williams-Fouts (softball)

NJCAA ALL-ACADEMIC THIRD TEAM (3.60-3.79 GPA)

• Colton Allen (baseball)*
• Enrico Augusto Rola (men’s soccer)
• Diego Branco (men’s soccer)
• Braley Burford (baseball)
• Carter Chapin (baseball)
• Sheila Cheruiyot (women’s cross country)
• Sergio Cruz (men’s soccer)
• Mateo Figueroa (men’s soccer)
• Jaylynn Hamilton (softball)
• Marrion Kemboi (women’s cross country)
• Madalynn Knapp (volleyball, softball)
• Valentin Kretschmer (men’s soccer)
• Ben Marvel (baseball)
• Brady Peterson (baseball)
• Linus Richtberg (men’s soccer)
• Brayden Schleich (men’s golf)
• Damien Snell (baseball)
• Emiliano Sosa (men’s soccer)
• Dillon Steelman (baseball)
• Abigail Strode (women’s golf)

NJCAA ACADEMIC TEAM OF THE YEAR (MINIMUM 3.0 GPA)

• Women’s golf (3.53)
• Women’s cross country (3.27)
• Women’s basketball (3.14)
• Volleyball (3.13)
• Softball (3.07)

(* denotes two-time NJCAA All-Academic honoree)

New Earn as You Learn Grant provides eligible Sandburg students up to $4K as they work toward degree

 A new grant opportunity through the Sandburg Foundation will provide adult learners with funds as they work toward earning their degree from Sandburg.

The Earn as You Learn Grant is an incentive-based program that supports nontraditional students enrolled in Sandburg’s Charge Forward program. The grant — supported by a partnership between the Sandburg Foundation and the G.L. Vitale Family Foundation — removes financial barriers for these students and supports their progress from enrollment through completion of their associate degree.

Earn as You Learn will provide up to $4,000 per recipient to eligible Charge Forward students age 24 and older. Grant support may assist with education-related and everyday-living expenses that can arise as students balance coursework, employment, family responsibilities and other personal obligations.

Funds will be awarded after the 10th day of each semester and 10 days after graduation. Recipients will be awarded $750 in each of the first two semesters, $1,000 in the third and fourth semesters and $500 upon completing their degree.

Sandburg’s Charge Forward program offers a unique opportunity for students to complete their Associate in Arts degree by attending classes just one night a week for two years. Students go through a structured 24-month academic plan built around eight-week blended courses. Charge Forward’s fixed schedule makes it ideal for students who are already in the workforce or need to balance family obligations.

“We know there are many adults who’d love to go back to school to earn a degree or work toward a new career, but all too often they’re held back by two obstacles: time and money,” said Gabi Hurtado, director of admissions. “With the Charge Forward program and now Earn as You Learn, we’re making it easier for students to clear hurdles that may have stopped them in their tracks before. Having this program and this grant in place makes it easier for people to attend Sandburg and enhance their education.”

Charge Forward participants also have access to the full array of services available to all Sandburg students, including free online and in-person tutoring, academic advising, financial aid, disability support, student life events and student leadership opportunities. Learn more about the Charge Forward program at sandburg.edu/chargeforward.

In addition to funds through Earn as You Learn, students could be eligible for state and federal financial aid or assistance through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which helps job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market. Learn more about WIOA, and complete this form to determine your eligibility. 

Fall semester classes at Sandburg start Aug. 24. For questions or more information about Charge Forward or Earn as You Learn, contact the Admissions office at 309.345.3500 or admissions@sandburg.edu.