Northern Marianas College School of Business student Richard Baleares has been named a 2025 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar by the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. He will receive a $2,250 scholarship in recognition of his achievement. Baleares was selected based on his outstanding score in the highly competitive All-USA Academic Team competition, which received over 2,200 applications this year.
Top-scoring students from Canada, the United States, and sovereign nations with Phi Theta Kappa chapters are selected annually as New Century Transfer Pathway Scholars. The program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, with additional support provided by the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa.
The student with the highest All-USA Academic Team application score in each state is named either a New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar or a New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar. Students nominated for the Workforce Pathway should plan to enter the workforce after completing a certificate or associate degree, while those nominated for the Transfer Pathway should plan to transfer to a four-year college after graduation.
"I am deeply honored and grateful to be named a New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar. This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my college journey, as well as the unwavering support and sacrifices of my parents over the years,” said Baleares.
He added, “I would like to thank my PTK chapter advisors, especially Ms. Kaelani Demapan, as well as my academic advisors, Ms. Velma Deleon Guerrero, who guided me during my time as a Liberal Arts major, and Dr. Barbara ‘Bobbie’ Hunter, who continues to support me in my current Business Management journey. I also want to express my appreciation to my fellow chapter officers, particularly our chapter president, Bonnie Gio Sagana, as we set out at the beginning of the academic year to encourage more scholarship applicants from our chapter than ever before.”
Baleares is also the current PTK Beta Lambda Psi Chapter Vice President, Treasurer for the Associated Students of Northern Marianas College, and Public Relations Officer of the NMC Business Club.
“On behalf of our PTK advisors, I would like to congratulate Richard on his outstanding accomplishments, which led him to receive this year’s New Century Transfer Scholarship. This award is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and commitment to both his peers and our community. We are incredibly proud of his growth and achievements as an emerging professional and leader,” said PTK Advisor Kaelani Demapan.
The program annually recognizes 104 Scholars. Each New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar receives special recognition at the Association of Community College Trustees Congress, while each New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar receives special recognition at the American Association of Community Colleges Convention.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the first 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.
For more information about NMC’s local PTK chapter, contact Project PROA director and PTK Society Advisor Kaelani Demapan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..