Last Updated on October 4, 2016 by cassnetwork
INDIANAPOLIS – The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has awarded their “2016 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar” awards, in the amount of $1,000 each, to 200 students across the country. Five of the recipients are current Ivy Tech Community College students.
Beginning in 2001, the Leaders of Promise Scholarship honors students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and have considerable leadership potential. As a result of The Alpha Project, the scholarship helps to meet the need for scholarships to Phi Theta Kappa members, giving them the ability to obtain their associate degree while participating in Society programs.
The five students who have been awarded the Leaders of Promise Scholarship are as follows:
North Central Region – A lifelong resident of Warsaw, Melissa Collins is a 1994 graduate of Warsaw Community High school. In addition to pursuing an associate’s degree in Business Administration, Collins is a mother of two who enjoys watching football, playing bingo and competing in 5K runs in her spare time. Collins also volunteers for youth football and cheerleading and hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in Marketing upon completion of her degree. In spring of 2016, Collins was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, and has made the Dean’s list each of her semesters at Ivy Tech.
Kokomo Region – Mincy Hunt came to the United States from the Philippines shortly before starting college. Currently working full-time in the kitchen of a healthcare facility, Hunt spends her free time completing coursework and taking care of her family. The language barriers faced by Hunt have not stopped her; she currently has a 4.0 GPA as she works to achieve her associate’s degree in Nursing. Hunt volunteers with Landis Elementary School and the Cass County Humane Society when she has time, as well as supporting American Red Cross blood drives on campus.
Kokomo Region – Phi Theta Kappa member Matthew Nelson has participated in the Walk Into My Future event and voter registration drives during his career at Ivy Tech and has been selected to participate in the Ivy Tech Student Leadership Academy. A 2004 graduate of Logansport High School, Nelson is set to complete his associate of applied science degree in Software Development in May 2017. After graduation, Nelson hopes to enter the workforce in the software development field; however, transferring to a four-year university to earn his bachelor’s degree is still a possibility.
Kokomo Region – United States Air Force Reserve veteran Trisha Norfleet is active in student veteran affairs and serves as president of the Student Government Association. She is a student representative to the Ivy Tech State Board of Trustees and student representative for the State of Indiana in the Heads Up National College Promise Campaign. Norfleet also is one of just 10 students nationwide awarded the Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education through Phi Theta Kappa, which includes $5,000 to assist in the completion of an associate’s degree and to push students to begin a bachelor’s degree.
Southeast Region – Lura Scudder has three children, works at Belterra Casino Resort in the sales department, and volunteers with Vevay Main Street and Switzerland County Tourism, all while finding time to attend Ivy Tech and pursue an associate of applied science in Business Administration. She is an active member of Phi Theta Kappa and plans to graduate in May 2017. Scudder has been enrolled in her program for a year and a half, and chose Ivy Tech due to its smaller classes and accessibility.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
SOURCE: News release from Ivy Tech Community College