Special to The Collegian

Lorain County Community College student Dulce Cintron has been named one of the top 100 community college students in the country, and one of the top 10 community college students in Ohio.

 Cintron, 17, of Lorain, is a senior at Lorain County Early College High School, a combined high school and college experience on the LCCC campus.  Cintron is enrolled in Lorain County Early College High School through a partnership between LCCC and Elyria City Schools. Lorain City Schools are also a partner with Early College. In May, Cintron will graduate with two LCCC associate degrees at the same time she graduates high school.

 Cintron has been named a 2020 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship. 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. She has also been named to the Ohio First Team Top 10, and will receive a $1,000 scholarship and medallion.

“Dulce dedicated herself to advanced academic achievement at a very young age by making the decision to attend LCCC’s Early College High School. She has flourished in her classes, as well as taking on challenging extra-curricular opportunities, such a high-level research. There is no doubt that she will go far in life,” LCCC President Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D., said.

 Cintron is a member of LCCC’s chapter of the American Society of Microbiology and a leader in an on-campus research group that investigates toxic algae blooms in the Sandusky Bay of Lake Erie. She is also a supplemental instructor for biology and a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and a varsity athlete in cross country and track for Elyria High School.

Cintron                                                Submitted Photo

“Dulce is truly an amazing individual,” said LCCC biology professor Kathy Durham, Ph.D., who oversees the research group. “She was only a freshman in high school when she asked to join my research group. I said yes, and it was the best decision I ever made. Dulce is reliable, enthusiastic and a very positive leader.”

 Cintron plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in animal science or a related field. Her ultimate goal is to become a large animal veterinarian and to conduct veterinary research.

“I’m honored to be recognized with these awards,” Cintron said. “Attending Early College at LCCC, I have been inspired to work harder by my teachers and I cannot thank them enough. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I’ve had because of the LCCC community.

 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.

 “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 and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”

 “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.”

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 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.