Five students from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jackson County Campus have been named 2025 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars. Each will receive a $1,000 scholarship, joining only 220 students nationwide selected for this honor.

The recipients are Abigael Matias Medina of Gautier, Christina Dang of Ocean Springs, Miles Cernas of Gautier, Luke McDaniel of Pascagoula, and Morgan Marshall of Hurley.

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program supports new Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members by helping defray educational expenses while they are enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. More than 600 applications were submitted this year, with a total of $220,000 awarded.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Paulsen, 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.”

Student Spotlights

• Abigael Matias Medina, a Biomedical Engineering major, is treasurer of the STEM Club, a PTK officer, and a member of the Hispanic American Club and Campus Activities Board. “This scholarship will help me to obtain the next level of my education, a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University. It will ease the burden I have to carry to reach my goals,” Abigael said.
• Christina Dang, a Political Science major, serves on her PTK chapter’s leadership team. “This scholarship will make many differences in my life, including financial, but I’d argue the biggest difference it will make is the reassurance that people not connected to me believe in my future,” Christina said. “Doubt is the erosion of faith and belief in one’s own abilities, but the honor of receiving this scholarship has reignited my belief in myself for a long time to come.”
• Miles Cernas, a Biomedical Sciences major, is an Honors College student and PTK chapter officer. “This scholarship will allow me to fully pay tuition as well as add to my savings for my dream university, University of South Alabama. I’m very excited to be able to use those funds to further my education and gain a head start on my academic goals,” Miles said.
• Luke McDaniel, a Business major, is a member of the Honors College and a PTK officer. “This scholarship will help me pay for transportation costs for months to come and has encouraged me to continue to go above and beyond in pursuing my leadership capabilities,” Luke said.
• Morgan Marshall, a Nursing major, is a PTK chapter officer, Honors College member, and active in the Campus Activities Board and Hispanic American Club. “This scholarship not only will help me financially as I continue my education, but it has opened multiple doors to aid me in my future career aspirations,” Morgan said.

According to Amanda Karpinski Gorman, Interim Executive Director 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.”