Madison Kellis knows a thing or two about hard work, persistence, and dedication. The 19-year-old is a Team USA roller figure skater. When the bronze medalist is not competing, she is applying that same commitment and mindset to her studies at Lone Star College-University Park (LSC-University Park), and it is paying off. 

Kellis is one of just 200 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society members nationwide recently named a 2022 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a scholarship.

"I am excited to get the scholarship," said Kellis. "My family has been stretched a little thin financially recently, so the scholarship allows me to focus on my studies and not worry about finances."

Kellis is taking honors classes and pursuing an Associate of Science. She feels fortunate to attend LSC-University Park. 

"I have learned how to conduct undergraduate academic research with close mentorship in a way I would not have been able to learn at a university with big classes."

LSC-University Park President Dr. Shah Ardalan believes in supporting every student's unique path to academic success. 

"Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to student success inside and outside the classroom," said Ardalan. "A student's passion may be in sports, but we know the educational background they get at LSC-University Park will prepare them for the future."

Kellis' family moved to Spring after Hurricane Katrina. The Louisiana transplant has skated competitively since she was nine. 

"I spend about five hours a day or about 30 hours a week practicing at Champion Roller World," said Kellis. "Besides studies, it doesn't leave time for much else."

Kellis and her skate partner, Raphael Amador, placed third at the 2021 Artistic Skating World Championships in Paraguay. The pair has qualified to compete in the 2022 World Championships for Team USA in Argentina later this year.

"Taking classes at the LSC-University Park campus has allowed me to stay close to home while continuing to pursue both my academic goals and my passion for skating," said Kellis.

After receiving her associate degree, Kellis is considering a degree in criminal justice and possibly attending law school.

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new PTK members defray educational expenses while enrolled in an associate degree program. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on academic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. More than 1,300 students applied this year.

PTK is a premier honor society recognizing student academic achievement at associate degree-granting colleges. LSC-University Park's PTK chapter, Beta Upsilon Nu, is a multi-year recipient of the distinguished Five Start Chapter Award and the Texas Top Chapter Award and assists students with the scholarship application process.

"Being selected for the scholarship is recognition of the student's sacrifice and dedication in the classroom, as well as the student's ability to manage everyday life with  their education," said Dr. Frank Rodriguez, Math Department Chair at LSC-University Park and Beta Upsilon Nu's founding faculty member.

Established in 2012, Lone Star College-University Park has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative higher education institutions in the country. 

Under its founding president, Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park is devoted to impacting the community's prosperity and upward mobility through student success. The college's competent and compassionate faculty and staff provide students with holistic and immersive education and training in disciplines and industries that meet current and future workforce needs. 

LSC-University Park is located on the grounds of the former Compaq Computer Corporation and Hewlett Packard's world headquarters. The college's facilities include the Center for Science & Innovation, the Energy & Manufacturing Institute, Learning Innovation Labs, and the Geology Rock Wall. It is also home to the University of Houston-NW Downtown, Lone Star Corporate College, iSchool, and YMCA Children's Academy. 

Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester, providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow's workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2021 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education, ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes' America's Best Employers by State' list and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year's Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.

Classes start throughout the year at LSC-University Park. For more information, visit LoneStar.edu/StartUP, call 281-290-2600, or email UPAdvising@LoneStar.edu.

For information on LSC-University Park's PTK chapter, visit LoneStar.edu/UP-PTK.

* Photo Courtesy: RANIERO CORBELLETTI PHOTOGRAPHIE. Madison Kellis earned bronze at the 2021 Artistic Skating World Championship in Paraguay.