Kara King, who is on her way to earning both an Associate and a Bachelor of Business in Healthcare Management degree from Georgia Highlands College (GHC), was recently named a 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar.
The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship 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. Nearly 1,500 applications were received.
A total of $210,000 will be awarded this year 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, which provides multiple Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships earmarked for international students.
King’s reaction to receiving the award was fit for a commercial.
“First, my eyes widened, and then I went from looking puzzled to having a huge smile on my face,” she said.
King initially applied to many schools in the spring of 2024, but discovered GHC was the best choice for her.
“As I looked through the course catalog and explored my options, I realized that I could major in the exact field I wanted online, and the tuition was unbeatable,” King said.
The decision to enroll at GHC wasn’t something King took lightly. She had been weighing the decision for a decade.
“I found the time for classes because I can take them online,” King said. “I should have enrolled a long time ago.”
She recommends students seek involvement on campus with organizations such as PTK, saying they often assist students with developing leadership skills, pursuing further education, building a network and sharpening skills for future employment. In addition, King recommends GHC for anyone considering taking the next step in their education or returning to school.
“It had been a long time since I had been in school. During the first week, I felt overwhelmed,” King said. “Once I got used to using [student information system] D2L, I found my place and knew I had made the right choice. I have had great professors and been surrounded by a comprehensive learning environment. I would encourage others to go back to school. It’s an experience from which you will grow and ultimately appreciate.”
King is also encouraging her children to start college early.
“I had the opportunity to begin GHC on the same day as my youngest child. He dual enrolled last year as a high-school junior,” King said. “That was memorable, for sure. We both began our second year at GHC on the same day this year.”
Start classes October 7 and enroll today at highlands.edu
About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa
“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.”
The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion but also give students the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.
“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 first 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 4.3 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, and learn more about GHC’s Alpha Psi Omicron chapter here.
