Skylar Hodson (pictured right) and Monserrat Rivero Sanchez are two of 22 Phi Theta Kappa members selected as 2025 Hites Scholars and will receive a $7,500 scholarship for baccalaureate studies.
The Hites Transfer Scholarship is awarded to Phi Theta Kappa members preparing to transfer to a bachelor’s degree-granting college or university. Winners were selected from nearly 2,800 applicants nationwide for their outstanding academic achievement and rigor, leadership accomplishments, and engagement in college and community activities.
Rivero Sanchez, a Presidential Honors Scholar within Honors Northeast, served as PTK chapter president, Texas Regional Officer, and International Officer for Phi Theta Kappa, the highest leadership position available for community college students. Rivero Sanchez also took on active leadership roles within Active Minds, Sigma Kappa Delta, and Student Academic Success. Winner of the Walter B. Cooper Scholarship, she had the highest-scoring application within the state of Texas in the fall of 2024. Rivero Sanchez served as the keynote speaker at the opening session of the 2024 Texas Community College Teachers Association meeting. She was part of a panel presenting at the National Collegiate Honors Council. She helped craft an internationally award-winning case study challenge that compared Spanish and English news coverage in the months prior to the November election. Her goal is to earn a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Bilingual Education, aiming to foster inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments.
Hodson, a Presidential Honors Scholar within Honors Northeast, served as PTK chapter vice-president and took on active leadership roles within the Film Club, Theater Club, Theater Northeast, and the Honors Council. Winner of the Dr. Mary Hood Texas Star Scholarship, she had the scoring application within the state of Texas in the summer of 2024. Hodson played a significant role in three of NTCC’s prize-winning Honors film projects. She also served as the stage manager in multiple Theater Northeast productions. Hodson won a State of Texas Caldwell award, a Portia Gordon Award from the East Texas Historical Association, and first place at the Red River Honors Symposium for her work on the Texas film industry. She was also part of a panel presenting on the Honors Northeast film projects at the National Collegiate Honors Council. Her background in film research helped the college receive its first-ever Humanities Texas grant exploring northeast Texas folklore. Her goal is to earn a degree in media studies, combining her interest in the power of film and psychology, using the medium to challenge stigmas against mental disorders and the neuro-divergent.
“It’s been a delight and a joy to see both of these students make the most of the opportunities provided to students at NTCC,” said Dr. Melissa Fulgham, lead advisor for Alpha Mu Chi, NTCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. “Both came to this college with challenges in areas such as language, finance, and health, but demonstrated grit and resilience. Their passion and perseverance made them uniquely inspirational and memorable examples on campus. They have proven themselves to be effective leaders with clear goals and will likely continue to be leaders within their chosen professions.”
“Among the most successful students we have had through the years, these two still stand out for their particular talents and contributions,” notes, Dr. Andrew Yox, Honors Director. “With a coloratura voice and ready smile, “Monse” Rivero works about at hard as anyone I know. As a speaker, she is animated, and super-personable. Hodson’s native excellence as a writer and film director are both very compelling, and like Monse, she has struggled to overcome daunting challenges. Hodson has a very special love for books, and for the life of the mind. She seems headed for a Ph.D. some day.”
The Hites Transfer Scholarship is made possible by support from the Hites Family Foundation and the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. This is the largest scholarship Phi Theta Kappa awards to its members.
Hodson and Rivero Sanchez are the seventh and eight winners of the Hites Scholarship from NTCC. Previous recipients include Cody Russell (2011), Chensey Davis (2018), Brenda Godoy (2018), Lilly Haack (2019), John Rodriguez (2022), and Jessie Parchman (2022).
The Hites Family Foundation was established by Robert Hites, an executive with Ralston-Purina in St. Louis, Missouri, who, upon his retirement, became an instructor at St. Louis Community College. His brother, Ray Hites, served as President of the Hites Family Foundation and as a Trustee for the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation until his death in 2015. Ray’s wife, Jackie, served as a Foundation Trustee until her death in 2019.
Founded in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest and largest honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
To learn more about Honors Northeast, email Dr. Andrew Yox at ayox@ntcc.edu. To learn more about Phi Theta Kappa at NTCC, email Dr. Melissa Fulgham at mfulgham@ntcc.edu.
