AIC Student-Athletes: High Performers in Competition and the Classroom

AIC Student-Athletes Excel in the Classroom with a 3.25 GPA for 2024–25

At American International College, success isn’t limited to the field, court, or rink—it continues in the classroom.

AIC’s student-athletes achieved a combined GPA of 3.25 for the 2024–25 academic year, an accomplishment that reflects the commitment and drive that Yellow Jackets bring to every aspect of their college experience.

A standout among standout teams, softball posted the highest team GPA of 3.84, while men’s ice hockey led the way on the men’s side with an impressive 3.81. In total, 19 teams earned a cumulative GPA above 3.0, and eight teams—softball, ice hockey, field hockey, women’s cross country, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, women’s basketball, and golf—surpassed the 3.5 mark.

Individually, 369 student-athletes earned or maintained membership in AIC’s 3.0 Club, recognizing those who achieved at least a 3.0 GPA for the year.

Academic honors came from beyond campus as well. AIC’s field hockey team led all NCAA Division II programs in GPA and was recognized with the NFHCA’s Team Academic Award.

Trio of student-athletes earn AIC’s highest academic honors

Three of our top graduates this year—Co-Valedictorians and the Salutatorian—were student-athletes, demonstrating the balance our students maintain between athletics and academics. Rhaymi Porter and Cameron Wilbur garnered Co-Valedictorian status, while Tia Kelk earned Salutatorian accolades.

Porter, a visual and digital arts major from Scotia, New York, transferred to the College for the 2023-24 academic year and dominated defensively with the women’s basketball team. In 58 games across two seasons, she led the Northeast-10 Conference in blocks in both campaigns with 150 total, and pulled in 485 rebounds. She earned back-to-back NE10 All-Defensive Team honors and was named the league’s 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year. She additionally earned NE10 Academic All-Conference honors as well as being named the College’s Alumni Award winner and the team’s most valuable player.

Wilbur, from Millbury, Massachusetts, and a major in education, was a four-year student-athlete at AIC, including two seasons with women’s basketball and most recently a semester on women’s rugby, but is best-known for her four years with women’s soccer. She played primarily in the defensive midfield over her 52 games, with two goals and two assists for six points, and was a team captain each of her last two seasons on the squad. She earned NE10 Academic Honor Roll accolades in each of her seven completed semesters, in which the Conference has announced honorees.

Kelk, a biology major and native of London, England, also transferred to AIC for the 2023-24 academic year. She played as a goalkeeper with women’s soccer, making nine appearances in two seasons and posting 0.90 goals against average and .829 save percentage, with three wins and a shutout over New Haven in the 2024 season. She was also selected for the NE10 Academic Honor Roll in each of the three completed semesters that the conference has announced awardees.

For the women’s rugby and soccer programs, this is the second year in a row that a student-athlete has been honored as either Valedictorian or Salutatorian, as Annekkia-Ritter Truxal was Co-Valedictorian and Leya Vohra was Co-Salutatorian of the Class of 2024. Additionally, Grace Beaupre and Rosa Vreugd were named Co-Salutatorians of the Class of 2023 from women’s soccer and women’s basketball, respectively.

Football Finishes Spring with a Strong Academic Performance

The American International College football program closed out the Spring 2025 semester with a 3.01 aggregate grade point average, continuing the momentum of academic achievement throughout the year.

Among the spring semester highlights were 43 players earning a 3.0 GPA or higher.  This followed a successful fall semester in which 61 Yellow Jackets were named to the Northeast 10 Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Head Coach Dan Chipka praised the commitment of both the players and staff, noting the importance of the team’s cultural pillars: Attitude, Effort, and Enthusiasm.

“We actually talked about this goal during our very first team meeting in 2025, right after winter break,” said Chipka. “Our players continue to push the standard of performance, not just on the field, but in the classroom and community as well.  This latest benchmark speaks to the personal growth and values we’ve emphasized as a staff. I am very proud of the work they’ve have put in throughout the academic year.”

This academic success is a direct result of AIC football’s holistic approach to student-athlete development.  In addition to their on-field training and strength work, players receive support through academic advising, structured study hours, and access to campus learning resources.

“One of the best features of AIC is the amount of support from the people here,” Chipka added. “The team of faculty support staff, known as ‘YJ Mentors’ have proven to be immeasurable in helping our players succeed. I know that our players appreciate them beyond measure.”

Additional student-athlete academic accolades throughout the year

• Women’s volleyball, field hockey, and women’s basketball each earned Northeast-10 Conference Academic All-Conference recognition.
• Six wrestlers were named NCWA Scholar All-Americans.
• Academic All-District honors from College Sports Communicators went to multiple student-athletes from men’s and women’s soccer, softball, and volleyball, with more honors still on the way for baseball, ice hockey, wrestling, field hockey, and lacrosse.

AIC student-athletes continue to show that excellence is a full-time commitment—and one that extends well beyond game day.