Rochester Community and Technical College is proud to announce that student Nikolas Schaefer was recently selected as a 2024 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar.
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 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.”
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. RCTC English Instructor, Nikka Vrieze, wrote a letter of recommendation for Nikolas. She shares, “Nik exemplifies a scholar and a leader. He founded a non-profit that teaches students to code and helped design software to facilitate communication between mental health professionals and their clients in times of crisis. Nik is planning to translate his passion into his profession by pursuing a career in computer science and engineering.”
Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies. They will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Orlando, Florida, 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.”