Jennifer Smith, a student at Suffolk County Community College from Brentwood, New York, has been named a 2025 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar. She is one of 220 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members across the country to receive this recognition and will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program assists new PTK members with educational expenses while they pursue associate degrees. Recipients are chosen based on academic performance, community service, and leadership qualities. More than 600 students applied for the award this year.
Smith returned to college after a 20-year break and is currently majoring in Addiction Studies at the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood. She is also an active member of Phi Theta Kappa. As a first-generation college student, she aims to become the second person in her family to graduate from college and plans to earn licensure as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T).
After graduating from Suffolk County Community College, Smith intends to continue her education at Stony Brook University for a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and full CASAC licensure. She hopes eventually to earn a Master’s in Social Work.
In addition to her studies, Smith volunteers as a motivational speaker at jails, institutions, and sober residences. She also participates in the Addiction Studies Club on campus and wants to contribute through research and advocacy for evidence-based practices and policy changes related to substance use treatment.
“We are very proud of Jennifer for attaining this prestigious honor and for her academic achievements, leadership and community engagement,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College. “As a returning adult student and a first-generation college student, her accomplishments are truly inspirational and demonstrate the transformative power of higher education.”
“I am honored to be a member of Phi Theta Kappa and grateful for the opportunities it has provided in pursuit of my academic interests,” Ms. Smith said.
Phi Theta Kappa recognizes academic achievement among students attending associate degree-granting colleges around the world. The society includes more than 4.4 million members with nearly 1,250 chapters across 11 countries.
This year’s Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program will distribute $220,000 in awards funded mainly by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation ($200,000), with additional funds designated for veterans or active military members as well as international students through donations made to the PTK Foundation.
Suffolk County Community College is part of the State University of New York system with more than 26,000 enrolled students pursuing over 100 degree or certificate programs each year (https://www.sunysuffolk.edu/). The institution has about 145,000 alumni throughout its history.