CAPTION: Kellie Christ, a student at Hutchinson Community College, was named a 2025 New Century Workforce Scholar. CREDIT HUTCHCC
Kelli Christ, a student at Hutchinson Community College, has been named a 2025 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
From Goessel, Kansas, and the daughter of Andrew Christ and Nanci Heath, Kelli is in the Associate Degree of Nursing program at Hutchinson Community College. In addition to her studies, she is co-president of the Kappa Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Secretary of the Honors Student Council and a member of HANS – Hutchinson Association of Nursing Students. She also serves as a tutor for Anatomy and Physiology, General Microbiology, and Chemistry I. Furthermore, she recently presented her honors project research at the Great Plains Honors Council Regional Conference in Denton, Texas. Ms. Christ is on track to graduate with High Honors upon graduation.
“With strong critical thinking skills, great time management abilities, and a fantastic work ethic, Ms. Christ is a phenomenal leader both in and outside the classroom,” Dr. Ryan Diehl, advisor of the Kappa Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and the Honors Student Council, said. “Her innovative ideas have helped build our membership in both organizations while also building a community.”
The New Century Workforce 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. Nearly 2,100 students from more than 1,300 college campuses nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.
“We congratulate Kelli 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 in the fall.
