CNM Student Wins Prestigious Coca-Cola Scholarship

Faith DeShong is studying Human Services at CNM because she wants to work with foster children and grow the foster care system. This commitment to children in the community, plus her commitment to her studies at CNM, is why Faith recently became a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and was presented with a $1,500 scholarship.

“It’s an honor to get the award and the money is going to help in many different ways,” Faith says. 

Faith found out about the scholarship through Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the official honor society for two-year colleges. She’s currently the Vice President of Scholarships for CNM’s Alpha Upsilon Chi chapter.

All the students who receive the Coca-Cola award are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service. 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.

All Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held virtually April 8-10.

“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 and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”

Faith graduates at the end of this term and plans to study at New Mexico Highlands University. She’s thankful for her time at CNM and says the college has set her up for success. In addition to PTK, she’s also worked with TRIO Student Support Services, which helped her get adjusted to college work, and regularly met with CNM’s academic counselors to ensure she stayed on track. Faith says she now encourages all her friends at CNM to be as involved as possible.

“I encourage everyone to sign up for the extra curricular programs here at CNM,” she says. “The bigger your group, the more knowledge and opportunities you’ll have.”

Learn more about PTK and the Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar program here.