Two MDC Students Selected To Coca-Cola Academic Team

Jose Restrepo and Samantha Espinosa were named to the Coca-Cola Academic Team. The honor recognizes academic achievement, leadership and community service.

Restrepo, a sophomore in the Honors College at Wolfson Campus, was crowned a Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar. The distinction comes with a $1,500 prize. 

The 20-year-old served as executive director of Phi Theta Kappa. During his tenure, the organization led a research project aimed at understanding how community engagement influences creativity.

Restrepo hopes to transfer to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English. He aspires to become a professor and increase access to education to students in low-income communities. 

“I see how much yearning and ambition they have to learn,” Restrepo said.“I want to give them the opportunity to succeed.”

Espinosa, a sophomore in the Honors College at Eduardo J. Padrón Campus, was named a Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar. The distinction comes with a $1,250 award.

The 20-year-old served as vice president of scholarship and leadership of PTK. 

Under her leadership, the club expanded Xplora International, a student-led project that promotes STEM education and mental health awareness to children in Nicaragua and Peru. 

The club has also fundraised more than $1,000 to purchase school supplies for children.

Espinosa aims to transfer to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a focus in cybersecurity. 

“I would like to work within the government to give access to education and technology to people in impoverished areas,” Espinosa said.