Emma Mendoza (pictured right) and Josalynn Patterson (pictured left), standout student leaders at Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC), have been named 2026 Dr. Mary Hood Texas Region Scholars. Each will receive a $1,500 scholarship in recognition of their exceptional academic and leadership contributions.
The Dr. Mary Hood Texas Region Scholarship honors outstanding Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members across Texas, assisting with educational expenses associated with completing an associate degree. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and campus and community engagement. Out of hundreds of eligible candidates statewide, Mendoza and Patterson achieved the two highest-scoring applications on the Phi Theta Kappa Spring Common Scholarship application.
“Being recognized as a Dr. Mary Hood Scholar is an incredible honor,” said Mendoza. “Phi Theta Kappa has pushed me to grow as a scholar and a leader, and this scholarship reinforces how transformative community college education and undergraduate research can truly be.”
Mendoza, a history major and the Gladys Winkle Scholar of Honors Northeast, served as chapter president of PTK during the past academic year. She recently managed the successful campaign that elected José Fuentes as the International President of Phi Theta Kappa. A dedicated researcher, Mendoza has won multiple awards for her scholarship, including essays examining the Singer sewing machine’s “elusive time dividends” and the life of pioneering journalist Jovita Idar. Her work on Idar earned both the State of Texas Caldwell Award and the Great Plains Honors Council Britt Award, and now serves as the foundation for the Honors Northeast feature-length film.
Dr. Andrew Yox, Director of Honors Northeast, wrote her award-winning recommendation and learning of her win commented “Mendoza has portrayed the servant leader, Jovita Idar, very winsomely, in three award-winning works of scholarship. And like her subject, Mendoza commands through respect, kindness, and the brute work she performs.”
“This recognition means so much to me because it celebrates the work we do every day to serve our college and our community,” Patterson shared. “I’m grateful for the opportunities NTCC has provided, and I’m excited to keep investing in our campus culture.”
Patterson plays an indispensable role in campus life as an Eagle Ambassador and the incoming President of the Student Government Association (SGA). A familiar, welcoming face at graduation ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, and new student orientations, Patterson also serves as the incoming Vice President of Leadership for PTK, where she helps coordinate student volunteer efforts and ushering services at the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts. JaQuacy Minter, Director of Student Development, wrote her a strong and ultimately award-winning endorsement.
Mendoza and Patterson make nine NTCC students who have had the highest scoring applications on the PTK Spring Common Scholarship. Prior recipients include: (2022) Jordan Chapin, (2021) Davin Whatley, (2020) Haley Bucsanyi, (2019) Mercedes Collins, (2018) Jazmin Garcia, (2017) Chesney Davis, (2015) Scott Wilhite.
Dr. Mary Hood served as the Texas Regional Coordinator for 18 years and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors until her passing in 2011. The scholarship established in her memory continues her lifelong legacy of championing community college scholars across the state.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges. Comprising more than 4.4 million members across nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 nations, PTK empowers roughly 220,000 active scholars annually to grow as leaders and changemakers. Learn more at ptk.org.
