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Brookdale Alumna Earns Publication In National Literary Journal

originally published: 03/10/2023

(LINCROFT, NJ) -- Brookdale Community College graduate Zafira Demiri is among the twenty-four members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) nationwide, whose writing will be published in the 28th edition of Nota Bene, PTK's literary journal. With over 800 entries submitted for the competition, "Nota Bene," Latin for "take notice," showcases the exemplary writing of community college students.

President Dr. David M. Stout of Brookdale Community College stated, "We are immensely proud that Zafira's story has been published in the sole national literary publication for community colleges. This achievement not only acknowledges her remarkable talent and diligent efforts but also establishes her credibility within the literary community. Zafira consistently strives to excel academically and produce her best work, and we applaud her devotion to her craft."

In her story, A Painting (Left Incomplete), Demiri said, "it is about loss and burnout, specifically for one artist who must come to terms with the death of a friend whilst memorializing him in a painting."

"I wrote this story originally for a creative writing course at Brookdale with Professor Parker. I revised the story when I was working for Collage Magazine, so this story is also featured in the 51st edition of Collage," she said. "I decided to revise it even further, which is when I submitted it for PTK's literary journal Nota Bene."

Demiri graduated from Brookdale Community College with a 4.0 GPA and is now pursuing her bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Global Sustainability at Monmouth University (MU). She tutors undergraduate and graduate students in academic writing across all subjects while attending full-time at MU and has a 4.0 GPA on the Dean's List.

 

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Before Brookdale, Demiri was a student at a STEM-focused vocational school where she developed her interest in both technical and creative writing. She continued to expand in these modes of writing while at Brookdale and was an active member of PTK and Women in Learning and Leadership (WILL), co-president for Collage, and received the Global Citizenship Project Award and the Outstanding Student Award.

According to Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Ph.D., President, and CEO of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, "Phi Theta Kappa's mission is to recognize students for their hard work. We are proud of students like Zafira who participate in Nota Bene and celebrate her hard work and talent."

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.

Brookdale Community College is a public college in Lincroft, New Jersey. Founded in 1967, Brookdale offers AA, AFA, AS, and AAS degrees in 68 academic programs, 4 Academic Credit Certificates, and 9 Academic Credit Certificates of Achievement. Brookdale offers fully online degree programs in Business Administration, English, History, Liberal Education, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Sciences. In addition, an Academic Credit Certificate of Achievement is available in Cybersecurity. Furthermore, they offer partnerships with top four-year colleges and universities to make the transfer process seamless and with local businesses to provide students with the opportunities to achieve their educational and career goals. In addition, Brookdale offers non-degree courses through their Office of Continuing & Professional Studies. This unique division provides coursework tailored to meet today’s businesses’ training needs.