Cybersecurity student named Coca-Cola Academic Team Member

April 24, 2026

From HSED to national academic honors: Sturgeon Bay resident reflects on 冈本视频 journey

Jennifer Bacon, a 冈本视频 student in the Cybersecurity associate degree program, has been named a member of the 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team and will receive a $1,300 scholarship.

The Sturgeon Bay resident is on track to graduate from 冈本视频 next month. She plans to transfer to Western Governors University in fall 2026 to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in cybersecurity and information assurance, before eventually pursuing a master鈥檚 in threat analysis. Her long鈥憈erm goal is to build a career in cybersecurity with a focus on threat intelligence and digital forensics.

鈥淚 am especially passionate about helping communities understand cyber risks and developing accessible cybersecurity education resources,鈥� said Bacon. She is already leveraging her 冈本视频 education, currently developing a community鈥慺ocused cybersecurity education initiative aimed at helping small businesses and residents better recognize and prevent common online threats.

Bacon has maintained a 4.0 GPA at 冈本视频 and is an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. In addition to being a Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar, she has been named to the PTK All鈥慦isconsin Academic Team, nominated for the PTK All鈥慤SA Academic Team, and has received the 冈本视频 STAR Award.

She encourages other students to take full advantage of the opportunities PTK provides, noting that she wishes she had accepted her invitation sooner because of the support, confidence, and opportunities PTK has provided.

鈥淚 am still pinching myself and am very humbled by the recognitions 鈥� I often reflect on how far I have come,鈥� said Bacon, who started at 冈本视频 as a student in the High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) program.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

鈥淭he Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,鈥� said Jane Hale Paulsen, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. 鈥淲e are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow鈥檚 global community leaders.鈥�

Coca-Cola Academic Team members received commemorative medallions and were recognized in local, statewide, and international ceremonies.

'Thank you for changing my life'

Just weeks from earning her 冈本视频 associate degree, Bacon has been looking back at her journey.

A couple of years after completing her HSED through 冈本视频 Sturgeon Bay, she returned 鈥� with college as her goal.

鈥淓ven though I had earned my HSED through 冈本视频, coming back with the intention of pursuing a degree felt overwhelming,鈥� said Bacon. 鈥淭he kindness and support I received during my HSED experience gave me the first nudge to consider that maybe college was something I could try.鈥�

She recalls the moment she walked back through the doors of the Sturgeon Bay campus feeling unsure and nervous 鈥� before meeting a supportive staff member in the Welcome Center.

鈥淗er warmth, patience, and encouragement made an immediate impact,鈥� Bacon said. 鈥淪he guided me through every step 鈥� and remained a steady source of encouragement as I transitioned to the Cybersecurity program on the Green Bay campus. I know I asked a lot of questions, but I never once felt like a burden.鈥�

鈥淲ithout the warm welcome and supportive environment that the Sturgeon Bay staff created, I do not think I would have followed through,鈥� she added. 鈥淚 might have walked back out those doors and never attempted college again. Instead, I stayed 鈥� and everything changed.鈥�

Bacon鈥檚 academic journey has also included navigating breast cancer treatment 鈥� an experience that reinforced her belief that 鈥減ersistence and determination can carry you through even the most difficult circumstances.鈥�

Reflecting on how far she鈥檚 come in the last few years, she recently reached out to 冈本视频 Sturgeon Bay with this heartfelt message:

鈥淣one of this would have been possible without the foundation you helped me build. I am forever grateful for the kindness, patience, and encouragement you showed me from the very beginning. Thank you for changing my life.鈥�

Strong support at every turn

From her start in Sturgeon Bay to completing her degree in Green Bay, Bacon has appreciated 冈本视频鈥檚 support and resources along the way. Read more about her experience, in her own words.

I am grateful for the support I received at both the Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay campuses. My HSED instructor at Sturgeon Bay was the first person who made me believe I could take the next step, and that early kindness gave me the courage to return to 冈本视频 with the goal of earning a degree.

Once I transitioned fully to the Green Bay campus for the Cybersecurity program, the support around me only grew stronger. I leaned heavily on English Composition tutoring in the beginning, often bringing in every paper, and that early guidance gave me the confidence and communication skills I have carried into every class since.

My academic advisor, disability case manager, and instructors at Green Bay encouraged me through every challenge, from helping me navigate difficult coursework to writing countless recommendation letters. I am also deeply grateful for my peers and study group, who have been cheering me on from the very beginning. I truly would not be where I am without this community.

冈本视频