Northeast Texas Community College student Lilly Haack is one of ten students nationwide selected to receive the 2018 Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education, a $5,000 award.
The Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education is awarded to Phi Theta Kappa members who are civically engaged in their community through service and who demonstrate leadership, academic rigor, and excellence. Preference is given to first-generation college students. Nearly 800 applications were received.
Each Pearson Scholar will receive $1,000 to complete an associate degree and $4,000 over two years to complete a bachelor’s degree. Scholars are also paired with a Pearson Mentor and will receive complimentary access to Pearson textbooks and online codes to support them as they complete their degrees.
“I am very pleased and delighted to see Lilly receive this highly competitive national scholarship. Lilly is a devoted and caring wildlife and animal lover, who is also highly focused, keenly intelligent, and hard-working. This scholarship will help make her educational and career goals a reality,” Dr. Melissa Fulgham, NTCC Faculty Sponsor for Phi Theta Kappa, said.
Haack has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while taking rigorous science courses to prepare her for her career in Marine Biology. She serves as Vice President of Communication in her Phi Theta Kappa chapter, is highly involved on campus as a tutor and Resident Assistant, and volunteers at local animal rescue centers. This past summer she interned at the nationally recognized Wildlife Rescue Center near St Louis. This coming summer, another scholarship will enable her to study marine biology in Australia.
“I am very excited for the opportunities this scholarship will allow me to take advantage of. I am most excited to be paired with a mentor who will guide me through my academic career and give advice whenever needed. I am so grateful for having received this award and I hope to be a great Pearson Scholar,” Haack said.
She is the third Pearson scholar from NTCC. Previous recipients include Isaac Burris and Mary (Smith) Tarte.
“We deeply appreciate Pearson’s partnership with Phi Theta Kappa to help our members complete both associate and baccalaureate degree programs,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The blend of financial and mentoring support provided by Pearson helps us assure success among these students. Congratulations to the scholarship recipients!”
Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 40,000 employees in more than 80 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. For more information, visit pearson.com.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier 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 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 nations. Learn more at ptk.org.
