Fadia Chahine (left) & Justin Merced (right) – with NECC V.P. of Academic Affairs William Heineman at the State House in Boston on Friday May 1st 2015

Two Northern Essex Community College students were recently nominated for the annual Coca Cola Transfer Scholarship Award of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, a national organization that provides enrichment opportunities for outstanding students. The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society administered their honors at state house earlier this month.

Justin Merced of Lawrence and Fadia Chahine of Methuen were selected due to their academic success and community service efforts. Merced, a Liberal Arts: Writing major, made his mark as a leader and mentor of multiple campus volunteer programs, including the Student Senate, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the Veterans and Servicepersons Organization of NECC. Merced currently serves as president of the latter and as treasurer of the S.C.I.E.N.C.E. Club. Outside of campus, he additionally participates as a mentor of the Big Friends Little Friends program of Lawrence. Come fall, he will transfer to Rutgers University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology/premed. 

Fadia Chahine, a recent NECC graduate and current student of education and psychology at UMass Lowell, has been distinguished for her involvement with various NECC-affiliated and community programs. During her time on campus, she was a member of the Community Outreach Group and Phi Theta Kappa, through which she devoted a significant amount of time to volunteering at local nonprofit organizations. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree, Chahine hopes to work toward a master’s degree in education and eventually obtain a career as an elementary school teacher.

The Coca Cola Scholarship Program recognizes exceptional students who have transferred or will transfer from NECC, hold a cumulative GPA or 3.5 or higher, and demonstrate significant community service involvement. For more information, please visit www.necc.mass.edu/getting-started/financial-aid/types/scholarships.