Bucks County Community College (BCCC) honored four distinguished alumni at its 59 th Annual Commencement ceremony in May. The awards, presented by the BCCC Alumni Association, acknowledge the outstanding achievements and contributions each has
made to their profession, their community, and their alma mater.
The 2025 honorees are:
President’s Distinguished Award: Razin Karu, ‘17

Credit: Eric Parker- BCCC
Karu is passionate about civic engagement, social justice, interfaith relations, and volunteering. He earned an associate degree in history from BCCC in 2017, where he established the first-ever Muslim Students Association and served as student government president. After graduating from Bucks, he completed his bachelor’s degree at Temple University with a double-major in history and political science, a minor in global studies, and a certificate in political economy.
Karu worked as a constituent services advisor for State Representative Perry Warren (D-31) and as executive director of the Muslim Society of the Delaware Valley, where he directed all programs and activities for the Muslim Youth Center of Philadelphia and the Islamic Cultural Center of Willow Grove.
In 2023, he was appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro to serve as the executive director for the commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander affairs. Karu helps the commission gather information regarding AAPI Pennsylvanians’ experiences and needs, and provides the governor with information and recommendations on how best to meet those needs.
Professional Achievement Award: Kenneth Kuzma, ‘81

Credit: Eric Parker- BCCC
Kuzma is a distinguished law enforcement professional with over 36 years’ experience at the federal, state, and local levels. After graduating from Bucks, he earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Temple University. He then dedicated his career to investigating and combating international drug trafficking, organized crime, weapons violations, public corruption, and financial crimes such as money laundering and asset forfeiture.
Kuzma began his career in 1986 with the City of Philadelphia Juvenile Probation Department, where he supervised high-risk youth and developed court-mandated probation plans. In 1996, he joined the Drug Enforcement Administration as a special agent. Over a 20-year career with the DEA, Kuzma led major domestic and international investigations, aided in the historic 9-11 response and recovery in New York City, and received many honors and awards.
From 2018 to March 2025, Kuzma was a narcotics agent with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, applying his expertise to investigations such as domestic and international drug trafficking, organized crime, weapons violations, and gang-related crimes. An accomplished investigator, instructor, and mentor, Kuzma has trained countless federal, state, and local agents, provided drug identification seminars to universities and high schools, and delivered expert testimony in federal and local courts.
Community Service Award – Damita Harvey Harris, ’04

Credit: Eric Parker- BCCC
Harvey Harris has worked for nearly 20 years with No Longer Bound, a nonprofit prevention services organization whose mission is to empower the community by providing educational programming and training to address drug and alcohol abuse, increase positive social development, and improve overall well-being. She also established the Bristol Cares Coalition to support positive youth development in Bristol Township.
Harvey Harris is also a facilitator of NAMI Bucks County’s “Black Minds Matter” support group, which is a shared strength group dedicated to the mental and overall wellness of the Black community. She also volunteers as a board member for Friends of Silver Lake Nature Center and treasurer for Struble Elementary School PTO, all while working full-time and raising a family.
In 2025, BCCC honored her with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Leadership award. Harvey Harris graduated from Bucks in 2004, later earned a Bachelor’s in business administration from Peirce College and a Master’s in education from Holy Family University. She worked full-time at NJM Insurance Group for 21 years, where she is currently a senior talent development specialist.
Centurion Award: John Sheridan, ‘85

Credit: Eric Parker- BCCC
Sheridan has been a music and multimedia professor at BCCC for more than 30 years whose influence resonates throughout the academic and artistic communities. His academic credentials include a Master of Arts from New York University, a Bachelor of Music from Temple University, and an Associate of Arts from BCCC. Beyond his academic achievements, Sheridan has built a remarkable career as a professional musician, performing jazz, funk, fusion, and blues for over 40 years.
Sheridan’s dedication to excellence in education has been recognized many times. In 2013, he was honored with the prestigious Lindback Award for teaching excellence. He’s also been named in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (2000), Who’s Who in
America (2002), and Who’s Who in the World (2004).
Outside the classroom, Sheridan is deeply invested in fostering opportunities for students. He adjudicates high school competitions and conducts jazz improvisation workshops. His leadership extends to advocacy, as he has spent the past decade lobbying state lawmakers for increased community college funding — an effort in which he actively involves his students, providing them with invaluable real-world experience in civic engagement.
In addition, Sheridan currently serves as president of the College’s American Federation of Teachers.
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