Four distinguished alumni honored
Last updated: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Razin Karu, ’17, Kenneth Kuzma, ’81, Damita Harvey Harris, ’04, and John Sheridan, ’85, were celebrated for their achievements at the annual commencement ceremony
Bucks County Community College honored four distinguished alumni at its 59th Annual Commencement ceremony on May 22. 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, executive director for the governor's advisory commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander affairs.
- Professional Service Award – Kenneth Kuzma, ’81, law enforcement professional with decades of experience at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Community Service Award – Damita Harvey Harris, ’04, associate director with No Longer Bound and community organizer with the Bristol Cares Coalition.
- Centurion Award – John Sheridan, ’85, professor of music and multimedia at Bucks County Community College.
President’s Distinguished Award: Razin Karu, ‘17
Razin Karu, ’17, is passionate about civic engagement, social justice, interfaith relations, and volunteering. He earned an associate degree in history from Bucks County Community College 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 went on to work 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
Kenneth Kuzma, ’81, is a distinguished law enforcement professional with over 36 years of 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
Damita Harvey Harris, ’04, 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, she was honored by BCCC with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Leadership award.
Harvey Harris graduated from Bucks County Community College in 2004, and later earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Peirce College and a master's degree in education from Holy Family University. She has worked full-time for NJM Insurance Group for 21 years, where she is currently a senior talent development specialist.
Centurion Award: John Sheridan, ‘85
John Sheridan, ’85, is a music and multimedia professor at Bucks County Community College 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 Bucks County Community College. 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 Bucks County Community College American Federation of Teachers.