Whatcom Community College (WCC) students Devin Chen and Yekaterina (Katie) Dastaskay, have been selected for this year’s All-Washington Academic Team, which honors students from across the state who exemplify success in the classroom and service in their communities.

Each All-Washington team member is awarded a $217 scholarship sponsored by KeyBank. The top 16 team members will be awarded an additional $750 scholarship courtesy of Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU), while the top 3 team members will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the Washington State Association of College Trustees.

“Congratulations to Devin and Katie on this well-deserved recognition. Their commitment to excellence and determination to succeed have brought great pride to our campus community,” said Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown, president of Whatcom Community College.

The 2024 All-Washington Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 25, at the South Puget Sound Community College campus, with Governor Jay Inslee serving as the keynote speaker.

Both students have shown dedication to their academic journeys and community involvement by giving back through volunteering and rising above the challenges of English being their second language. Devin is a first-generation college student from China, and Katie comes to the U.S. from Ukraine. Below is more information about each of them.

Devin Chen is a seasoned professional in Computer Information Systems with over a decade of hands-on experience. He is currently enrolled in WCC’s Associate of Applied Science program in Computer Information Systems, where he is deeply engaged in campus life, mentoring fellow students, and competing in cybersecurity challenges.

Devin is also a liaison for the Whatcom Community College Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. In his role, he leads impactful meetings for members and orchestrates initiatives for the college’s food pantry. Through this volunteer work, he has been able to foster a sense of community among PTK members and play a role in addressing food insecurity within WCC’s campus community.

Devin’s passion lies in harnessing technology to solve real-world problems, and he firmly believes in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, cherishing moments spent outdoors and with his family. With enthusiasm for the future, Devin is dedicated to driving innovation and making impactful contributions in his field.

Yekaterina (Katie) Dastskay’s journey to the United States began at the age of 8, when her family, consisting of her parents and 11 siblings left Ukraine in pursuit of a brighter future.

Now, as a parent to two young boys, she is committed to leading by example to ensure their success. The pandemic served as a significant turning point when she and her husband unexpectedly lost their jobs, prompting her to return to school to seek a stable career path.

Katie has earned her AAS-DTA from WCC and is currently working towards her bachelor's degree in business management.

Alongside her studies at WCC, Katie also assists refugees who escaped the war in Ukraine by providing support with legal documentation and appointments. Through these efforts, she has successfully helped many individuals secure essential resources such as free housing, food assistance, clothing, driver’s licenses, employment opportunities, work visas, and additional financial aid. She is committed to helping refugees rebuild their lives and integrate into their new community.

About Whatcom: Whatcom Community College (WCC) in Bellingham, Washington is regularly recognized as one of the top community colleges in the nation for student outcomes. The College, a destination for cybersecurity, healthcare and business studies, offers three bachelor of applied science degrees, transfer degrees, career and workforce preparation, online courses, and community education classes. New high school graduates, laid-off workers, seasoned employees, future university students—all students count on WCC to support their academic and career goals.

About the All-Washington Academic Team:  Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Washington State Association for College Trustees, the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges, and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, along with Key Bank and the Washington State Employees Credit Union, sponsor the All-Washington Academic Team. Each team member also is a state nominee for the All-USA Community College Academic Team, which will be announced in April 2024.

Media Contact & Public Information Officer: Marni Saling Mayer, PIO, and Director of Communication & Marketing, msmayer@whatcom.edu, Phone: 360.383.3312 

# # #