Macomb- Samantha Sensor, a student at Spoon River College, has been named a member of the 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team and will receive a $1,300 scholarship.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion. Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.
Sensor is pursuing an Associate of Arts degree. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, she serves as chapter president and is actively involved in service initiatives that support both campus and community needs. She plans to transfer to Western Illinois University to continue her studies with a focus on broad-based, interdisciplinary learning while remaining engaged in leadership and service.
Sensor has balanced being a wife and mother to five children while pursuing her education at Spoon River College. In addition to be active in Phi Theta Kappa, she is also a member of the Student Government Association, volunteers weekly as a tutor in the Adult Education program, and previously served as a TRIO Peer Tutor and as the co-editor of the Kaleidoscope, the student-run literary and visual arts journal. She is currently employed part-time in the college’s Learning Resource Center on the Macomb Campus.
“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 global community leaders.”
Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies. They will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Baltimore, Maryland, March 26-28.
“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”
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.
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.
