Rosas Named a 2026 New Century Workforce Scholar

Kaarma Rosas, a student at Northampton Community College (NCC), has been named a 2026 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. 

This 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 (PTK). 

New Century Workforce Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. More than 2,300 students from nearly 1,400 college campuses nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state. 

Kaarma Rosas is currently pursuing a health science degree with a pathway into nursing at NCC. While completing her studies, she works in healthcare as a patient care assistant at St. Luke’s University Health Network. Rosas is actively involved in campus leadership and service, serving as a pantry assistant with the H.O.P.E. Food Pantry, as the health science liaison for Student Senate, and as an active member of the Nursing Student Organization (NSO) and PTK. Inspired by what she has learned about maternal health disparities affecting Black women and other vulnerable populations, she plans to pursue a career in nursing and ultimately become a nurse practitioner where she hopes to advocate for equitable, respectful healthcare and improve outcomes for mothers and families through compassionate, patient-centered care. 

“We congratulate Karama Rosas for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize these outstanding achievements,” said PTK’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 at Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Baltimore, Maryland, March 26-28.