FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Melissa Utsuki
Executive Director of Communications and External Relations
626-914-8872
mutsuki@citruscollege.edu
Citrus College student receives prestigious national scholarship
Glendora, Calif. (April 10, 2023) – Arcadia resident Jessie San is one of only 50 community college students in the United States to recently be named a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.
A Citrus College psychology major, San was among 2,400 high-achieving community college students nominated to this year's All-USA Academic Team. Her selection as a member of the Coca-Cola Academic Team was based on her All-USA Academic Team competition scores.
"Jessie is an outstanding student who deserves this impressive honor," said Dr. Greg Schulz, superintendent/president of Citrus College. "During her time at Citrus College, she has become a highly respected and admired member of the campus community. Her talent, skills and commitment to serving others have set her apart as a leader and role model. We are very proud of her."
The result of a partnership between the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, the Coca-Cola Academic Team recognizes community college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor, as well as leadership and service that extends beyond the classroom. Every year, 50 gold, 50 silver and 50 bronze scholars are presented with more than $200,000 in scholarships. As a Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar, San will receive $1,500 to help advance her education.
"Jessie is most deserving of this award. She has faced difficult obstacles and hardships, but instead of allowing them to impact her life negatively, she became resilient and always gives 100% in all of her endeavors," said Areej Qasqas, Citrus College adjunct faculty member and advisor for the Citrus College chapter of PTK. "Jessie delivers highly proficient results in all her work. From academia and PTK to her other extracurricular activities, her performance falls nothing short of intellect and finesse."
San first enrolled at Citrus College in 2018 when she was only 13 years old. A dual enrollment student, she started by taking one Citrus College class per semester while completing her high school education. Five years later, San is the president of the college's Beta Nu Eta chapter of PTK, a commissioner on the executive board of the Associated Students of Citrus College and an active member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society.
"I do my leadership and service experience without expecting a reward. Instead, I do it because I enjoy it, I learn from it, I have fun and I meet a lot of people. That is what is most gratifying to me," she says. "When my efforts receive rewards like this scholarship, I see it as a bonus for always trying my best. I cannot even begin to express how much this recognition means to me."
According to San, being named a Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar has helped her finish her last semester at Citrus College strong. In June, she will graduate with associate degrees in psychology, sociology and social sciences with an emphasis on gender studies. Her immediate goal is to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology. However, her ultimate goals are to complete research, attend graduate school and become an industrial-organizational psychologist.
"I would like to thank everyone who congratulated me, has been part of my educational journey and believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself," she said. "I have met so many amazing individuals who have become like family to me. I have had classmates who have mentored me and faculty who have given me advice that I still use today. All of these memories and experiences have shaped me into the person I have become."
And, according to Qasqas, the person Jessie has become is extraordinary.
"She is a born leader, yet is always willing to be in service to others. Her reach of influence has no bounds," she said. "Watch out world, Jessie is coming!"
###