Kiersten Frazier Named a 2026 New Century Workforce Scholar

Kiersten Frazier, a student at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, was named a 2026 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. 

This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon completing a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

New Century Workforce Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. More than 2,300 students from nearly 1,400 college campuses nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.

“I left Morehead State University in 2015 with no degree, no money, and no idea what I wanted to do,” states Kiersten. Over the years I took on jobs in many different fields, but I always ended up in similar roles of training or management. I enjoyed helping coworkers grow, and I felt like I had figured out a role that I really made a difference in. Ten years had passed, but I was ready to try again, which is what led me to SKYCTC. I started studying as a part-time student at SKY on the bi-term of Spring, 2025. I was able to work hard and ended my first semester with a 4.0. From there, I was invited to be a part of Phi Theta Kappa and began attending weekly meetings. I quickly took on the role of Vice President of Leadership and started attending online seminars and events hosted by the main campus for students as well. After finishing the Fall 2025 semester, I was put on the President’s List and earned my General Business Certificate.” 

Kiersten says being named a 2026 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar gives her the opportunity to pay for her tuition and supplies this Fall without the added stress of a payment plan. She will be using a portion of the scholarship to invest in a new laptop for school after tuition expenses are covered. She will graduate from SKY with an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration on the Human Resource Management Track. 

“We congratulate Kiersten for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize these outstanding achievements,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for students to succeed as they prepare to enter the workforce and for putting college completion within reach.”

The New Century Workforce Scholars will be recognized at Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Baltimore, Maryland, March 26-28.

About The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please visit coca-colagivingback.com.

About Phi Theta Kappa
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.