Sarah Osman was selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Sarah Osman was selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society as a 2015 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar. The Orland Park resident was one of 207 community college students chosen from more than 1,100 applications.
Osman is a biomedical engineering major who is on Moraine Valley’s President’s List. She is a member of the college’s Women in Action student club, the conversation partners program and the Honor’s Program. The Moraine Valley student is the vice president of service for Phi Theta Kappa and a tutor in the Center for Disability Services.
“I was excited and relieved when I found out I had won the scholarship,” Osman said. “I gave the application a lot of time when I didn’t have much time to give because it was finals week. I was happy it paid off.”
In her leadership role with Phi Theta Kappa, Osman is a key player in planning major campus events such as the inaugural Students by Students Conference. Students attended sessions that range from financial planning to the transfer process to stress management and how to play board games. The successful event was organized and run by Osman and other officers. She also coordinated two food drives on campus.
Osman volunteered for the Senator Michael E. Hastings Second Annual Thanksgiving Shootout and at The Prayer Center of Orland Park, where she assisted teachers with classroom activities and helped students with assignments during the weekend program. She also volunteered as a judge’s assistant at the Skyway Jazz Festival on campus.
The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program provides new Phi Theta Kappa members with financial resources to help defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs.
“The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion, but provide students with the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities,” said Dr. Nancy Rieves, CEO of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers. The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”
“Sarah is a dedicated student and an outstanding leader. Scholarship opportunities are limited for the second year community college student. We applaud her grit and determination to achieve this milestone,” Moraine Valley’s Phi Theta Kappa advisor, Kim Golk said. “Sarah continues to demonstrate strong leadership and engagement to her community college education.”
Independent judges evaluate Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar applications based on scholastic achievement, community service and leadership potential.
For news media inquiries, call Jessica Crotty, College and Community Relations coordinator, at (708) 974-5281, or e-mail her at crotty@morainevalley.edu.
