Walaa Khateeb-Jabara, a student at Georgia Highlands College (GHC) and member of the Alpha Psi Omicron chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honors society, has been named a 2024 Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.
The college nominated Walaa along with students Alexis Bruno, Courtney Fricks, Holden McCann, Stephen Burris and Kenya Williams for the GHC Coca-Cola All-Georgia Academic Team.
“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 global community leaders.”
Walaa is pursuing an Associate of Science Degree in Secondary Education and plans to graduate this spring. She said she was excited and surprised to be named a Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Bronze Scholar.
“I felt a great sense of joy and appreciation when I realized that I had won out of 2,200 applicants,” Walaa said. “This acknowledgment not only came as a pleasant surprise, but it also confirmed my commitment to academic excellence by highlighting the importance of my accomplishments.”
In addition, Walaa said the scholarship will help her as she continues her studies.
“This scholarship will greatly support my academic goals by easing the financial strain of tuition as I transfer to a university this upcoming fall semester, enabling me to focus more on my education without worrying as much about expenses,” Walaa said.
She says students should consider joining organizations like PTK because they provide helpful connections to like-minded individuals willing to push one another to do better for one’s education and community.
“Georgia Highlands College has been extremely important in my personal life and educational outlook. It assisted me in choosing my major and is reasonably priced, so I can continue to study without worry of tuition,” Walaa said. “The staff are helpful and encouraging, which gives me confidence in my decisions for the future. All things considered, GHC has been an important part of my academic career, offering both affordable and valuable advice for the future.”
Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.
Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies, with an All-Georgia Academic Team Awards Luncheon to be held at Coca-Cola Headquarters in Atlanta on April 12. They will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Orlando, Fla., April 4-6.
“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”
About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.
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 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
