Press contact: Angela Try
SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College students Braden Nicoll of Springfield and Addison Patrick of Chatham were honored as members of the Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team during the annual banquet on April 16. The banquet, sponsored by the Illinois Community College Board, honors top community college students from across the state.
Nicoll is pursuing his associate’s degree in nursing to receive his RN license. At LLCC, he served as the LLCC Student Trustee in 2025 and is currently an officer in the PTK Honor Society, president of the LLCC Nursing Honor Society and a member of the LLCC Honors Program. After graduation he will take the NCLEX licensure exam and continue work as an RN in St. John’s Hospital Pediatrics. Next fall he will continue his education pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. He is considering medical school or further education, in the future, to become a pediatrician or pediatric nurse practitioner.
Patrick is a second-year student who will graduate with an associate’s degree with an emphasis in science. She has served as an officer in the LLCC Student Government Association and has been a member of the LLCC Biology and Chemistry Clubs and Phi Theta Kappa. She was chosen as a student marshal for the 2026 Commencement Ceremony. She plans to attend the University of Illinois Springfield in the fall pursuing a biology degree on a pre-med track. She has future plans to attend medical school and is considering emergency medicine, anesthesia, or pathology.
Nominees are selected by their college based on a rigorous application process. Each nominee applied detailing their leadership philosophy, academic and leadership experience, and significant leadership endeavors. PTK is the leading international academic honor society for students at two-year colleges, and its All-Illinois Academic Team honors outstanding Illinois community college students and highlights the high-quality education provided by the 48 public community college and six private two-year colleges in the state.