Honolulu Community College student Corey Lathan is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2020 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society that recognizes the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and has more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations.
Lathan is majoring in occupational environmental safety management with plans to graduate in 2021, then pursue a bachelor’s degree in government and public administration. Prior to attending Honolulu CC, he served for 22 years in the U.S. Navy.
“Our Phi Theta Kappa scholars continue to excel and receive well-deserved recognition for their hard work,” said Karen Lee, interim chancellor. “Corey is an excellent student and I know scholarships like these are integral to succeed in reaching his educational and career goals.”
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 U.S. 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.”
The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion, but also give students the opportunity to engage in Phi Theta Kappa 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 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.“
