Three Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College students were among the 207 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2021 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar nationally. Ethan Estis, Chloe Nguyen, and Lucia Barberena, all students at the Jackson County Campus, will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Estis of Ocean Springs is a business administration major.  A sophomore, he is the treasurer for the Student Government Association, an officer of the Pi Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and a member of the Baptist Student Union. He is the first Collegiate Academy student to become a PTK officer and Honors College member at the Jackson County Campus. During his freshman year, he maintained a 4.0 average in both high school and at MGCCC.

Nguyen of Ocean Springs is a pre-pharmacy major and is president of the Pi Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and vice president of the campus chapter of Circle K International.  She was chosen as an Exceptional Freshman Honors Student and Overall Outstanding Chemistry Student.  Nguyen received the HOSA Joe Tinny & Jean Griffies Scholarship, Circle K Leadership Scholarship and Rex Moak Scholarship.

Barberena of Ocean Springs is a business marketing major.  She is the founder and president of the Hispanic-American Club.  She is secretary of the Student Government Association and is an officer in the Pi Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.  She received a Mayoral and Mississippi Senate Proclamation for becoming Mississippi’s first female Eagle Scout and was named the VFW Scout of the Year Award.  Barberena received the United Way Community Game Changer Award and the Hispanic-American Excellence Award.

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps 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.