Four Bellevue College Students Selected for 2025 All-Washington Academic Team 

Four Bellevue College students are being recognized at the state level for their academic achievements this year.  

Haim Ju, Joel Varghese, Patama Gomutbutra, and Sabine Sawadogo were selected for the All-Washington (All-WA) Academic Team, receiving scholarship support from KeyBank, Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU), and the Washington State Association of College Trustees. The students were also recently honored at a ceremony on April 24 at South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey.  

The All-WA Academic Team program recognizes some of the state’s finest higher-education students. Members are selected from all 34 of Washington’s community and technical colleges. In addition to being high academic achievers and maintaining high standards of excellence, these students have also shown their commitment to positively contributing to their communities.  

The All-WA Academic Team program is part of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, which started the All-USA Academic Team to recognize two-year college students for their academic achievement, as well as their community and college service. State-level academic teams were introduced in 1994 to provide scholarships and recognize honor society members, as well as promote excellence at two-year colleges. Washington’s program launched in 1996.  

Learn more about Bellevue College’s 2025 All Washington Academic Team:  

Haim Ju  

Ju, 21, is studying statistics through an Associate in Arts and Sciences transfer degree at Bellevue College. After graduating, the Bellevue resident plans to transfer to a four-year university. While at Bellevue College, she serves as the treasurer of the International Student Association, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a math tutor at the Math Lab, works at the Student Business Center and was a housing senator for the Associated Student Government from 2023-24. Ju’s academic excellence is reflected in her high GPA of 3.96.  

Joel Varghese 

Varghese, 19, is working toward his Associate in Arts and Sciences in Computer Science. Balancing a 3.88 GPA, Varghese is the vice president of scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the vice president of the South Asian Student Association at Bellevue College. Upon graduating in spring 2025, the Issaquah resident plans to transfer to the University of Washington and eventually pursue a career in technology. Varghese chose to study computer science because he’s interested in problem-solving and technology. 

Patama Gomutbutra 

Gomutbutra, 44, is pursuing her Associate of Applied Science in Neurodiagnostic Technology. She’s passionate about research and education and is a tutor at the college’s Academic Success Center. Upon graduation, Gomutbutra plans to work as a neurodiagnostic technologist at a major medical center. With a 3.93 GPA, the Bellevue resident hopes to become a neuroanalyst in the U.S. by 2028. Last year, she presented a meta-analysis on AI in point-of-care EEG and is in the process of publishing it.     

Sabine Sawadogo 

Sawadogo, 47, is working toward a medical assistant certificate. The Bellevue resident decided to pursue the certificate because it offers an opportunity for her to work in diverse clinical settings and she finds providing patient care to be rewarding. After her upcoming summer externship, she hopes to complete an associate degree, a bachelor’s, and eventually pursue a path toward becoming a physician assistant in obstetrics/gynecology or oncology. Her academic excellence is reflected in her 4.0 GPA.