Frequently Asked Questions & Qualifications

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program at Kennesaw State provides first-time, full-time first-generation students and underrepresented populations in STEM with financial assistance and comprehensive support as they pursue their degrees. With a focus on empowering scholars, the program supports their journey from admission to graduation.

Here, you'll find answers to our most common questions concerning the program. Additionally, we've provided a list of qualifying STEM majors by college to better assist you when applying.

  • Any first-time/full-time first-generation student who has been accepted to KSU as an undergraduate may apply for this scholarship program.
  • Typically, a first-time/full-time student is one who has graduated from high school and gone directly to college. Full-time status is achieved by enrolling for 12-credit-hours (usually four classes or more) each semester.
  • No, only first time-full time undergraduate students may apply for this scholarship program.
  • For the purposes of this program, first generation is defined as “a student whose the first in their immediate family to enroll in college or university”
     
  • This scholarship program is specific to Kennesaw State University. You cannot transfer your scholarship to another institution.
  • No. You will continue to receive your scholarship as long as you remain at KSU and meet the program criteria.
  • Our goal is to help you succeed in college and maintain your HOPE scholarship. If you do not maintain your HOPE scholarship, we will work with you to offset the loss of HOPE.
  • For the purposes of this program, underrepresented populations in STEM are those student populations that are underrepresented in KSU's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math programs relative to their numbers in the general population.
  • A complete list of STEM majors that qualify for the STEM scholarship can be found in the list below. 

Qualifying STEM Majors

  • Department of Information Systems

    • Information Systems, BBA
    • Information Security and Assurance, BBA
  • Department of Architecture

    • Architecture, BArch
  • Department of Information Technology

    • Information Technology, BAS
    • Information Technology, BS 

    Department of Software Engineering & Game Development

    • Computer Game Design and Development, BS
    • Software Engineering, BS

    Department of Computer Science

    • Computer Science, BS
    • Applied Computer Science, BA
  • Department of Geography and Anthropology

    • Geographic Information Science, BS
  • Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology

    • Environmental Science, BS
    • Biology, BS

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

    • Biochemistry, BS
    • Chemistry, BS

    Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

    • Biology, BS

    Department of Mathematics

    • Mathematics, BS
    • Computational and Applied Mathematics, BS (Degree going away in Fall 2021)

    Department of Physics

    • Physics, BS
  • Institute for Cybersecurity Workforce Development

    • Cybersecurity, BS 
  • Department of Civil and Construction Engineering

    • Civil Engineering, BS
    • Environmental Engineering, BS
    • Construction Engineering, BS

    Department of Computer Engineering

    • Computer Engineering, BS

    Department of Electrical Engineering

    • Electrical Engineering, BS

    Department of Mechanical Engineering

    • Mechanical Engineering, BS

    Department of Mechatronics Engineering

    • Mechatronics Engineering, BS

    Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering

    • Industrial and Systems Engineering, BS
    • Industrial Engineering Technology, BS
    • Manufacturing Operations, BAS

    Department of Engineering Technology

    • Electrical Engineering Technology, BS
    • Mechanical Engineering Technology, BS

Scholarship Committee

These KSU faculty and staff form the inaugural 2018-2019 Coca-Cola Scholarship Committee.

Dr. Adriane Randolph
Associate Professor of Information Systems, Coles College of Business

Dr. Arief Setiawan
Assistant Professor of Architecture, College of Architecture and Construction Management

Dr. Dennis Michael Franklin
Assistant Professor of Gaming, College of Computing and Software Engineering

Dr.  Roneisha Worthy
Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Dr. Marla Bell
Associate Dean for Student Success, College of Science and Mathematics

Ms. Kyra Calhoun
Graduation Coach, University College

Dr. Valerie M. Whittlesey, Coca-Cola Scholars Program Administrator
Associate Vice President for Curriculum, Office of the Provost & Academic Affairs

Dr. Jennifer A. Wade-Berg, Coca-Cola Scholars Co-Program Administrator
Associate Professor of Human Services and Project Directors for Goizueta and FITW Grants WellStar College of Health and Human Services 

Dr. Ruth Goldfine, Coca-Cola Scholars Co-Program Administrator
Interim Associate Dean, University College

Dr. Lynn Disbrow
Dean, University College

Steering Committee

This group of KSU leaders provides overall guidance for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.

Dr. Ken Harmon
Interim President of Kennesaw State University

Dr. Mark Anderson
Dean, College of Science and Mathematics

Ms. Kyra Calhoun
Graduation Coach, University College

Ms. Wendy Shae Smith
Graduation Coach, University College

Mr. Tommy Jackson
Advising Director, University College

Dr. Gloria Laureano Fuentes
Senior Associate Vice President, Student Affairs

Dr. Meihua Zhai
Assistant Vice President, Institutional Research

Dr. Dennis Michael Franklin
Assistant Professor of Gaming, College of Computing and Software Engineering

Dr. Roneisha Worthy
Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Mr. Yonas Teklemariam
Academic Advisor, College of Computing and Software Engineering

Dr. Valerie M. Whittlesey, Coca-Cola Scholars Program Administrator
Associate Vice President for Curriculum, Office of the Provost & Academic Affairs

Dr.  Jennifer A. Wade-Berg, Coca-Cola Scholars Co-Program Administrator
Associate Professor of Human Services and Project Directors for Goizueta and FITW Grants, WellStar College of Health and Human Services

Dr. Ruth Goldfine, Coca-Cola Scholars Co-Program Administrator
Interim Associate Dean, University College

Dr. Lynn Disbrow
Dean, University College