May 13, 2026
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for high-achieving community college students, has named Xitlally “Lally” Mendez of Barton Community College as a World Impact Scholar, an honor recognizing students pursuing degrees and certificates in programs that support economic opportunity and workforce needs in communities across World Cup host regions.
Mendez plans to pursue nursing and said this award has helped make her dreams possible.
“These awards mean opportunity,” she said. “As someone who has wondered if I’d be able to pursue an education due to financial constraints, this has opened a door I never thought I’d find the key to. I plan on serving communities around the world. I have big dreams, and they include providing medical care in areas that need medical resources and eventually becoming a doctor so I can help more people.”
Supported by a donation from Coca-Cola North America, the World Impact Scholars program celebrates community college students enrolled in degree and certificate programs that prepare them to contribute to their local economies and meet real workforce needs.
The World Impact Scholarship recognizes outstanding community college students in cities where the 2026 FIFA World CupTM will be held who are pursuing high-demand careers aligned with real workforce needs. Through high-quality workforce programs and hands-on learning at community colleges, students are choosing educational pathways that expand economic mobility and translate into meaningful contributions that strengthen their local communities and regional economies.
“We are honored that Coca-Cola has invested in the World Impact Scholars,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Degrees and certificates from community colleges are powerful economic tools, and our World Impact Scholars are among the very best examples of students demonstrating leadership in high-demand fields that matter to their communities and to the future of our workforce.”
Additionally, Mendez earned the All-USA Academic Team Scholarship and the New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarships from PTK.
The All-USA Academic Team recognizes high-achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. The scholarship is for transfer and workforce students and is by college nomination only.
The New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship recognizes high-achieving students in each state, naming them a New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar. Scholars are selected from the highest All-USA Academic Team application score in their state and who indicate an intent to enter the workforce upon their two-year credential completion.
Mendez was honored for her achievement along with other PTK members of the All-Kansas Academic Team at a luncheon event on April 27 in the Barton Library. The event was a celebration honoring the outstanding academic achievements of the attending students as distinguished scholars in the State of Kansas.
For Mendez, this recognition highlights both academic achievement and a commitment to applying education in ways that benefit their community. World Impact Scholars will be recognized locally and internationally.
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 grow as scholars and leaders. The Society serves more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters worldwide. Learn more at ptk.org.