FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Courtney Davis
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Prince George’s Community College
daviscl@pgcc.edu
Prince George's Community College Honors Academy Student Named 2021 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar
LARGO, Md. (August 18, 2021) – Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) announced today that Anthony Ramirez Chinchilla, a biology major and member of the College’s Honors Academy, is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2021 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar. He will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) 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. More than 900 applications were received.
“Anthony is a great example of what it means to be a Phi Theta Kappa member who embraces academics, leadership, and service,” said Lindsey Dodson, Prince George’s Community College associate professor of English as a Second Language and PTK advisor. “He is a member of the College’s Honors Academy, working on his degree in biology and is treasurer of the College’s Tau Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Additionally, Anthony was recently accepted to the Southern Management Leadership Program. He has an amazing, bright future ahead.”
A total of $207,000 is awarded through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. 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.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”
As of spring 2021, 406 students are currently enrolled Phi Theta Kappa members at Prince George’s Community College. A total of 275 new Tau Pi Chapter members joined during the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters.
“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 Scholarship recognizes students for what they have accomplished already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”
About Prince George’s Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2015-2020), Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George’s County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skillsets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 35,000 individuals annually, the College is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George’s County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree and training programs, and a commitment to student success enables PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands.
For more information, visit the College website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George’s Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
About Phi Theta Kappa
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 10 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
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