NMC Student Named a 2020 Coca-Cola Military Leaders of Promise Scholar
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College student Alexandra Swainston is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2020 Coca-Cola Military Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
The honorees are selected based on outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated leadership potential by a panel of independent judges from nearly 700 applicants, nationwide.
The Leaders of Promise Scholarship, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, awards 200 scholarships annually – 25 of which are earmarked for Society members who are active personnel or veterans of the U.S. Military. The program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential.
“Alex has impressed me on so many levels including academic performance, leadership, service and her amazing resilience and grit. Most of all, I appreciate her positive spirit and 'all in' engagement with our college and community,” said Dr. Nick Nissley, president of NMC. “This is a wonderful, and well deserved recognition of her academic achievement and leadership.”
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and provides seven Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships, earmarked for international students.
“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”
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 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
Release date: August 4, 2020
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communication
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019