MAYS LANDING — Atlantic Cape Community College student Het Parekh was recently selected as the State of New Jersey’s 2025 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar recipient. He will receive a $1,500 scholarship and will be recognized during the Association of Community College Trustees’ (ACCT) Leadership Congress in New Orleans, Louisiana October 22-25.
Out of more than 2,100 applications, which were judged on academic achievement, leadership, service and other significant endeavors, Parekh’s received the highest score in the State. This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon completing a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society.
“I am truly grateful to have been selected for the PTK New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship. Getting this recognition means a lot to me,” said Parekh, who is a resident of Mays Landing. “It’s encouraging to know that the effort I’ve put into my aviation studies is being supported and it’s an honor to be part of a community that values workforce careers like aviation.”
The New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship that recognizes high-achieving students in each state. Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. They are selected from the All-USA Academic Team winners. Nearly 2,100 students from more than 1,300 college campuses nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.
“I am extremely proud of Het Parekh for his award of Phi Theta Kappa’s New Century Workforce Scholarship. The New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship that recognizes high-achieving students in each state,” said Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Raymond Keller. “They are selected from the All-USA Academic Team winners. There are over 2,000 applications received every year with up to 104 students receiving this honor. Het received the highest score out of all applications received in the state of New Jersey.”
“We congratulate Het for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize these outstanding achievements,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for students to succeed as they prepare to enter the workforce and for putting college completion within reach.”
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 34 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.
About The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please visit coca-colagivingback.com.
About The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.
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.
