JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - Kaitey Schumacher from Northeast Community College in Nebraska has been named a 2026 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new 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.
Schumacher, a Petersburg, Nebraska, native, is pursuing an elementary education degree at Northeast. Inspired by her mother and sister, who both work in education, Schumacher hopes to follow in their footsteps by making a positive difference in the lives of students. She chose Northeast for its welcoming environment and small class sizes, which provided a smooth transition from high school to college.
Schumacher has been named to the Dean’s List every semester while balancing her academic and work responsibilities. She is a member of Northeast’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter and was invited to join the College’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Schumacher serves as an officer for Hawk’s Catholic and co-president of the Student Education Association. Through those roles, she has developed skills in leadership, teamwork, organization and responsibility. Following her graduation from Northeast in December, Schumacher plans to transfer to complete her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and pursue a career as an elementary school teacher.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides funding for the scholarships, with a portion earmarked for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. Additional donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation support multiple Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships earmarked for international students.
“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.”
The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion but also give students the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.
“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Amanda Karpinski Gorman, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “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.”
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
