Ivy Tech student, Jessica Troxel, named Coca-Cola New Century Scholar

Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington human services student, Jessica Troxel, has been named a 2014 Coca-Cola New Century Scholar. The program is sponsored by Coca-Cola Foundation and Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Troxel was selected based upon the score she earned in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition, where more than 1,700 applications were received.

“I’d like to personally congratulate Jessica on her outstanding academic achievements and leadership accomplishments,” said Interim Chancellor Bradley Thurmond, Ph.D. “Jessica has certainly earned this scholarship and recognition trip, and Ivy Tech-Bloomington couldn’t be more proud.”

Troxel will be presented with a $2,000 scholarship and will be recognized at Phi Theta Kappa’s annual President’s Breakfast during the Annual Convention of the American Association of Community Colleges on Tuesday, April 8 in Washington, D.C.

Troxel, the single mother of two boys, has overcome obstacles to achieving her educational goals, including losing her Martinsville home in the 2008 flood and then losing an arm in a tragic car acccident.

“It really is all about believing in yourself, working hard, finding hope, learning to allow others to help you, being humble, giving back to the community, and discovering your own silver lining,” said Troxel.

Troxel plans to use the scholarship funds she has earned as a 2014 Coca-Cola New Century Scholar to help fund her International Scholar Laureate trip to Australia and New Zealand. The trip takes place in May, after she graduates Magna Cum Laude with her associate degree in human services.

In the future, Troxel plans to work with community members seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, and their families.

She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is a past volunteer of the Recovery Engagement Center, as a junior and teen coordinator. She now volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and was sworn in with the Monroe county court on November 14,2013. She has received numerous awards and recognition during her time as a student at Ivy Tech-Bloomington, including: Council for Community Accessibility “Self-Advocacy Award;” Court Appointed Special Advocate; Phi Theta Kappa Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar; O’Bannon Institute Student Volunteer Award and scholarship recipient; Chancellor’s Civic Engagement scholarship recipient; Phi Theta Kappa Vice President of Communications; and Student Leadership Academy.

Troxel has set up a Go Fund Me account to raise funds and defray expenses for her International Scholar Laureate trip at www.gofundme.com/6ltia4. By accomplishing her fundraising goal, she’ll be afforded the opportunity to participate.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for students of two-year colleges. With more than 1.3 million members, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education. Students must complete at least 12 hours of course work toward an associate degree and have at least a 3.5 grade point average to be considered.