Hudson County Community College Nursing Student Receives Phi Theta Kappa Hites Transfer Scholarship
March 26, 2025
Hudson County Community College student Marolla Youakim was recently awarded the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) 2025 Hites Transfer Scholarship, the international honor society’s most prestigious and largest scholarship offering. She was selected to receive the $7,500 scholarship from almost 2,800 students nationwide.
Marolla Youakim was selected from nearly 2,800 applicants nationwide.
March 26, 2025, Jersey City, NJ – Marolla Youakim pursued her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner from Egypt to
the United States, where Hudson County Community College (HCCC) became her second
home. During her first semester, her 17-credit course load became difficult to manage
and she was introduced to HCCC’s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF). The EOF program
representatives helped her believe in her abilities and pushed her to become the best
version of herself. She completed her first semester with a 4.0 Grade Point Average
(GPA), was introduced to honor societies, and asked to join groups to give back and
build on her achievements.
Based on her outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community activities, Marolla recently received the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) 2025 Hites Transfer Scholarship, the international honor society’s most prestigious and largest scholarship offering. Hites Scholars are selected by a panel of independent judges. Only 22 students were selected from a pool of nearly 2,800 applicants for $7,500 awards.
“Marolla Youakim is a shining example of how students achieve their dreams at Hudson County Community College,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “We are proud of Marolla, her work ethic, tenacity, and outstanding accomplishments.”
Throughout her College experience, Marolla embraced volunteerism and professional development. Her leadership spanned HCCC Student Services and beyond as she served many roles, including President of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society Upsilon Omega Chapter; Vice-President of Scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa; Student Advisory Committee Representative for the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority; Society Events Chair for the National Society of Leadership and Success; Student Government Association Senator; Programming Coordinator for the Student Programming Board; Academic Coach for the Medical Assistant, Geology, and Chemistry programs; Peer Mentor in the ACCESS (Accessible College and Continuing Education for Student Success) program assisting students with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and Academic Professional for the EOF program, assisting students with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), tutoring, translation, and more.
Marolla also volunteers for St. George and St. Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church, assisting high school students with Bible studies; visits Jersey City Hospice patients; and has helped prepare over 1,500 Thanksgiving meals and 1,000 Christmas gifts for distribution to communities in need. She has contributed her time and talents to the Hackensack Riverkeeper cleanup, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Hoboken Shelter, and more.
The Hites Family Community College Scholarship Foundation was established by Robert Hites, an executive with Ralston-Purina in St. Louis, Missouri. The Hites Scholarship Program is made possible by the Hites Family Community College Scholarship Foundation and the PTK Foundation.