Guerrero is one of just 50 students from around the US to earn the gold level scholarship.
Front Range Community College student Lucas Guerrero has been named a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
A first-generation college student, Lucas is currently studying biology at FRCC and plans to complete his bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at CSU. He spent last summer working as an undergraduate researcher at a neurobehavioral endocrinology lab at CU Boulder.
“Lucas represents the best that FRCC students have to offer the world,” says President Colleen Simpson. “He is diligent and never backs down from a challenge. Lucas is determined to gain a deep understanding of the underlying concepts he’s learning in class—and he listens to his classmates, which makes him an excellent team member and leader.”
About Lucas
Lucas would eventually like to complete an MD/PhD—likely in endocrinology or cell signaling—and aspires to expand research in the endocrinology field for transgender healthcare, specifically making improvements in hormone replacement therapy. Lucas says he wants to give back to his community through his passion for science—and hopes to make some significant contributions in this field.
Lucas’s instructors describe him as respectful, caring, trustworthy, ambitious, confident—and a role model for other students. An animal lover, he also works as a pre-surgery clinic volunteer at Riverdale Animal Shelter. In his free time, Lucas is a competitive gamer and expert Team Fortress 2 player. He works as a coach and mentor for newer players through the Team Fortress competitive leagues.
About the Scholarship
Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community service.
Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be celebrated in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held in Columbus, Ohio, April 20-22.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.
“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”
About Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College offers more than 200 degrees and certificates in a wide variety of programs from locations in Boulder County, Larimer County and Westminster—as well as online. FRCC is a member of the Colorado Community College System.
About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier 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 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
For PTK-related information, please contact:
Caroline Sabsoul, caroline.moreno@ptk.org, 601-984-3580
About the Colorado Community College System
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, serving 114,000 students annually at 13 colleges and 35 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities.
