Montgomery College Student Ingrid Toukep Named 2026 Hites Scholar

Montgomery College student Ingrid Toukep, a member of the College’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, has been selected as a 2026 Hites Scholar and will receive a $7,500 scholarship to support her baccalaureate studies after transferring to a four-year institution.

Originally from Cameroon, Toukep is a computer science major and STEM honors student at Montgomery College and serves as president of the College’s Phi Theta Kappa Beta Lambda Alpha chapter. She is also a semifinalist for the 2026 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship and plans to transfer to a four-year institution in fall 2026, with strong interest in Case Western Reserve University and Smith College, where she hopes to pursue a bachelor’s degree in data science with a minor in economics.

The Hites Transfer Scholarship is awarded to Phi Theta Kappa members preparing to transfer to a bachelor’s degree–granting college or university. Toukep was selected from more than 3,000 applicants nationwide in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community activities.

Toukep is deeply involved in academic support and leadership on campus. She serves as a student tutor and student aide at the Science Learning Centers, works as a library student aide, and represents Montgomery College as a STEM ambassador, helping encourage peer learning and student engagement in STEM fields.

As a Hites Scholar, Toukep will receive the $7,500 scholarship and a commemorative medallion. Scholarship funds are disbursed once recipients transfer to a senior institution.

Toukep will also be recognized alongside fellow scholars during the Parade of Scholars at PTK Catalyst, taking place March 26–28 in Baltimore.

The Hites Transfer Scholarship is made possible through support from the Hites Family Community College Scholarship Foundation and the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. Established by Robert Hites, a former executive with Ralston-Purina who later became a community college instructor, the program represents the largest scholarship Phi Theta Kappa awards to its members.