Darija Krecak, a registered nursing student at MATC, has been selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society as a 2015 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar.

MATC President Dr. Vicki J. Martin said, “This is a tremendous honor that recognizes Darija’s outstanding academic achievement. I am very proud of Darija and the entire MATC community congratulates her on this recognition. We also appreciate Phi Theta Kappa and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for their commitment to students at two-year colleges across the country.”

Selected as 2015 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars, 207 Phi Theta Kappa members have been awarded a total of $207,000 in scholarships. Chosen from more than 1,100 applications worldwide, the scholars receive scholarships of $1,000 each to further their associate degree studies. Independent judges evaluate the applications based on scholastic achievement, community service and leadership potential.

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program provides new Phi Theta Kappa members with financial resources to help defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs.

Scholars are also encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs.

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 Leaders of Promise Global Scholarships, earmarked for international students.

“The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion, but provide students with the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities,” said Dr. Nancy Rieves, CEO of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers. 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.”

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said J. Mark Davis, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals. Phi Theta Kappa members are proven scholars, engaged students who want to use their abilities to make a difference. In designating $200,000 for Leaders of Promise, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is supporting tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

Phi Theta Kappa, headquartered in Jackson, Miss., is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, U.S. territorial possessions and eight sovereign nations.

More than 3 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 134,000 students inducted annually.