Hinds Community College sophomore Jana Mertens of Clinton, a graduate of Ernst-Barlach Gymnasium in Unna, Germany, is one of 30 Phi Theta Kappa members nationwide to have been named recipients of the 2008 Phi Theta Kappa Leaders of Promise scholarships. She is a member of the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa on the Raymond Campus.

She recently completed the first of three levels in the Hinds CC Honors Institute Leadership Program. She has served the student newspaper, The Hindsonian, as lead writer.

This summer she has been interning in her field in Berlin, Germany. 

"Jana is very driven to excel," said HCC Honors Institute Associate Director Debbie McCollum of Clinton. "She plans to become a journalist and is dedicated to perfecting her use of the English language and is pushing herself to gain everything she possibly can as an international student at Hinds."

 PTK Leaders of Promise Scholarship recipients receive $1,000 to further their associate degree studies. Mertens is pictured here as she prepares to climb a high ropes course during the Honors Program officer retreat in Canton.

 The Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program provides new Phi Theta Kappa members with financial resources to help defray educational expenses while enrolled at a two-year college. The program also provides opportunities and encourages students to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs.

"The Leaders of Promise Scholarship funds provided represent an investment in human potential," said Rod A. Risley, Phi Theta Kappa executive director. "Our objective is to provide the resources and programs that will result in the emergence of strong moral servant leaders."