Rachael Nelson, a student at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jackson County Campus, received the $1,500 Dowel Leadership Scholarship through the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. The scholarship is awarded to one student in Mississippi each year. The recipient must be a Phi Theta Kappa member who is currently attending a Mississippi community college.

Nelson, a sophomore from Gautier, plans to major in chemical engineering. She said, “After graduating from MGCCC, I plan to transfer to Mississippi State University and get my Bachelor of Science degree. I also plan to participate in the cooperative education program to gain experience in my field.”

Nelson is the PTK Pi Epsilon chapter president, a member of the Baptist Student Union, and a kayak instructor, rockwall belayer and Ropes Course facilitator at the Outdoor Recreation Leadership Center on the Jackson County Campus.

“This scholarship, which will be used this year, is assisting with my educational expenses so that I don’t have to depend on student loans,” Nelson said.