Riley Weathersbee MESA, Arizona -- March 31, 2025 -- Mesa Community College 2025 All-Arizona honoree Riley Weathersbee has been named a 2025 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

An MCC Journalism and New Media Studies major, Weathersbee is managing editor for The Mesa Legend, an MCC Office of Institutional Advancement intern and an honors student.

She plans to attend Northern Arizona University in the fall to earn her bachelor’s degree in journalism, with a career goal of building a bridge between communities and companies.

“Riley has a bright future ahead and this esteemed scholarship will help bring her career objectives to fruition,” said MCC Communication, Theatre & Film Arts Chair Puvana Ganesan.

MCC President Richard Daniel, Ph.D., said “It is with great pride that I applaud Riley for her many achievements and hard work that earned her this prestigious national award. I look forward to following her academic career at NAU and beyond.”

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Coca- Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s global community leaders.”

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies. They will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Kansas City, Missouri, April 3-5.

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”

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Media contact: Julie Ruiz, [email protected] or 480-461-7283

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

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.

Mesa Community College (MCC), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary during 2025, is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving over 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. For nearly 60 years, MCC has been a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges. The MCC American Indian Institute supports students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. MCC's diverse student body includes hundreds of international students. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education and training. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional lands of the O'odham, Piipaash, and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.