Two University of New Mexico students, Elizabeth Ramsell and Danna Mayer-Llamas, were named 2021 Coca-Cola Academic scholars, highlighting their academic success and leadership within the community.
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 each year.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation president. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”
PTK is an international honor society that celebrates the academic achievements of students at 2-year schools and provides opportunities for students to grow as scholars and leaders.
UNM-Los Alamos
Mayer-Llamas, a UNM-Los Alamos student will receive a $1,000 scholarship after being named a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar.
Earlier this year, Mayer-Llamas was nominated to the New Mexico PTK All-State Academic Team. Students are nominated to the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community service.
“We are proud of all of our PTK students and commend their hard work and commitment to community,” said Cynthia Rooney, UNM-LA chancellor. “Danna is not only representing UNM-Los Alamos at the state and national level, she also exemplifies our campus values and mission through her accomplishments.”
Mayer-Llamas, from Española, attended high school at The Tutorial School in Santa Fe and then earned her High School Equivalency Diploma in 2019. She then enrolled full-time into the Associate of Arts in Pre-Business Program at UNM-Los Alamos. She will complete the AA degree this Spring and has been accepted into the Anderson School of Management where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Management.
Mayer-Llamas was born in Teacapan, Mexico; a small town that subsists on tourism revenue. She plans on returning to Teacapan to use her degrees and experience to develop the business infrastructure needed to help the town thrive. At UNM-Los Alamos, in addition to being a member of PTK, Meyer-Llamas also serves in student government and was an intern in the Community Internship Collaboration (CIC) Program.
“UNM-Los Alamos has opened so many opportunities for me that I will always be grateful. I am extremely honored to be receiving this scholarship and to be representing my institution,” Mayer-Llamas said.
UNM-Valencia
Elizabeth Ramsell, a sophomore at UNM-Valencia, has also been named a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.
“By earning this scholarship, I have gained an assurance that through hard work and dedication, I am able to succeed in my educational journey while having the support of others,” Ramsell said. “The provided financial help serves as an opportunity for me while I work to successfully accomplish my goals and ambitions.”
Ramsell is earning an Associate of Science in General Science and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, and this Summer she will be transferring to Main Campus for her junior year.
Ramsell was also the PTK Beta Zeta Zeta chapter vice president and recently served as vice president of UNM-Valencia Student Government.