College of the Mainland student Kadi Maxwell has been awarded the Walter B. Cooper Memorial Scholarship sponsored by the Texas Regional Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa.

As Phi Theta Kappa District 4 vice president representative, Maxwell regularly travels to other colleges to share with students about the academic organization.

“I’m an official nerd or a nerd official, whichever,” said Maxwell. “It’s definitely rewarding to be in a leadership position like that. I’ve always been fairly confident in my own skin. It’s helped me to encourage others to do the same.”

In her first semester of college, Maxwell earned a 0.0 GPA. After bringing it up, she now she not only is part of Phi Theta Kappa, the national community college honor society, but she encourages others to excel.

“Kadi has transformed herself from going back to college to a leader on a state level,” said Dr. Chris Allen.

College of the Mainland and Phi Theta Kappa helped her to transform, Maxwell said.

“Phi Theta Kappa has been a big part of that for me. It’s such a diverse group of people. They’re so encouraging,” said Maxwell. “It teaches personal growth through service to others. I really like working with the team.”