MAYS LANDING — Atlantic Cape Community College Academy of Culinary Arts student Mariah Salamanca was recently selected as one of 200 recipients of the inaugural Chime Workforce Scholarship in collaboration with the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society.
The Chime Workforce Scholarship recognizes high-achieving college students who are pursuing career and technical educational opportunities. This $1,000 scholarship helps defray educational expenses while enrolled in a certificate or associate degree workforce development program at a two-year college.
Salamanca, who graduated from George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, NY, decided to pursue her passion for food at the Academy of Culinary Arts and follow her dream to one day put her culinary skills to work by establishing a successful food truck and catering business.
“Receiving this scholarship is an incredible honor. It is not just financial aid; it is a symbol of belief in my potential. It confirms my commitment to my studies and fuels my determination to excel,” said Salamanca, 33, who currently resides in Mays Landing. “This scholarship is a game changer for my academic journey. By easing financial stress, it allows me to fully immerse myself in learning and pursue valuable opportunities that will shape my future.”
The scholarship provided by Chime will help students cover costs of tuition, fees, and other educational expenses associated with completing their degree or certificate program.
“At the Chime Scholars Foundation, we believe that career and technical education opens doors to financial progress and long-term opportunity. We’re proud to support students who are working hard to gain in-demand skills and build better futures for themselves and their families,” said Jeni Izuel, president of the Chime Scholars Foundation.
"We are thrilled to launch this new program and award hardworking students with Chime Workforce Scholarships,” Amanda Karpinski Gorman, interim director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation said. “These scholarships support students pursuing career and technical education at two-year colleges, and we look forward to see all they go on to accomplish."
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 Chime Scholars Foundation
The Chime Scholars Foundation (CSF) helps everyday people unlock financial progress and build a better future through higher education – whether that’s college, workforce training, or trade school. Learn more about SCF and Chime at Chime.com.
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.
