Members of Alpha Mu Chi, NTCC’s five-star, award-winning chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, won 5 of 13 prestigious Texas Star regional scholarships given out at the 2025 Phi Theta Kappa Texas Honors Institute held at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. The scholarships are available to members of Phi Theta Kappa throughout the state of Texas, with awards based on demonstrated leadership and academic excellence.
Two of the top scholarships, each worth $750, are named after advisors in the student’s chapter.
Jose Fuentes won the $750 Dr. Melissa Fulgham Texas Star Scholarship. Fuentes, a clinical psychology major from Mount Pleasant, currently serves as the District III Vice-President within the Phi Theta Kappa Texas Region. In addition to serving as a chapter officer for the Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Fuentes is also an incoming officer for the Psi Beta Psychology Honor Society on campus and involved in cultural research projects in psychology.
“I was so happy, I couldn’t have done it without the help of my advisors. I am very excited for the upcoming year.”
Isabella Tresidder won the $750 Athena Hayes Texas Star Scholarship. An officer in the Phi Theta Kappa chapter on campus and a Presidential Honors Scholar, Tresidder plans to become a plastic surgeon. She has engaged in original field research in independent study courses in biology and presented at professional conferences. She traveled to Austin to conduct original research for the Honors film “Crude Conquest.”
Emma Mendoza won the $500 Texas Star Scholarship. She won first place in the McGraw-Hill poster contest, as well as winning a Bonnie Spencer essay award, for her research on “The Elusive Time Dividends of New Technologies.” She is a member of the Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society as well as an officer in the Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.
“I felt an enormous sense of pride when I found out 5/13 of the winners were also from my chapter. To me, winning this scholarship was a reminder of how blessed I am to attend a college that offers me opportunities such as joining PTK. In my short amount of time with them, I have felt greatly encouraged to try my best, view my losses as valuable learning experiences, and my achievements as something worth celebrating. I am beyond happy for my fellow winners, as I know these were hard earned. I couldn't be more pleased!”
Yahir Garcia won the $500 Texas Star Scholarship. He served as the producer for the Honors film “Crude Conquest” and shared his experience at the Great Plains Honors Council.
“I was aware of the many talented young men and women competing for this scholarship, and I often wondered if I could really match up to them. While I stayed hopeful, a small part of me doubted my chances. I am so excited to be among the scholarship winners and feel very thankful for this chance to continue my education."
Stephanie Hernandez won the $250 Star Scholarship.
A Presidential Honors Scholar and forensic psychology major, she, along with Isabel Tresidder, participated with Dr. Chris McAllister in field research on fish parasites. Her work on Tejano murals in Texas won a First place Caldwell Award from the Webb Historical Society, and a Britt poster award winner in the Humanities area at the Great Plains Honors Council. She also received awards at the Red River Honors Symposium.
“Currently, I'm on another research trip with Dr. Mac in Clinton, Arkansas! I am very honored to be receiving this award, as it not only acknowledges my academic efforts but also highlights the importance of building strong campus involvement as an essential part of personal growth, shaping leadership, building community, and becoming a well-rounded student and individual. Once again, I am grateful for this award and will continue to strive towards my academic goals and to contribute to positive change both on campus and in my future endeavors.”
Including the five winners this year, 35 NTCC students have won prestigious Texas Star Scholarships.
Previous recipients of Texas Regional Star Scholarships include (2024) Skylar Hodson, Vanessajane Bayna, Mary-Faith Wilson, Sarah Dierflinger, (2023) Michelle Calderon, Aubrey Watkins; (2022) Jordan Chapin, Raul Leija; (2021) Aaliyeh Avellanda, Maxime Risner (2020) Elizabeth Lively, Hannah Barnes, Jalyn English, Maritza Quinones; (2019) Tonya Hammonds, Courtney Baldwin, Jacob Lambie, Jazmin Garcia, Verania Leyva-Garza; (2018) Hannah Dickson, Rhylie Anderson; (2017) Rachel Jordan, Brenda Godoy; (2016) Emmalea Shaw; (2015) Angelica Fuentes; (2014) Kayleah Cumpian, Tyler Reynolds; (2013) Stephen Milburn; (2012) Cory Myers; (2011) John Herron.
To learn more about Phi Theta Kappa visit www.ptk.org. To learn more about the Alpha Mu Chi Chapter at NTCC visit the chapter’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/alphamuchi/ Chapter meetings are held every Monday at 12:30 in SUB 101 and all interested individuals are welcome to attend.
