Ren Johnson: 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar
Ren Johnson
Psychology major awarded $1,000 scholarship • Transferring to Winona State summer 2025
Ren Johnson, psychology major and Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Omicron Beta Chapter (PTK OAB) president at Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, is one of 210 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Ren Johnson
The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. Nearly 1,500 applications were received.
A total of $210,000 will be awarded this year through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, which provides multiple Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships earmarked for international students.
“The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship was an honor to receive,” Ren said. “The scholarship acknowledges not only the hard work that I have done this past year to promote positive change on campus, but also recognizes all of the work that I look forward to achieving this academic year within my leadership roles on campus. I am so excited to have my financial burden of college lessened, and look forward to helping others earn similar scholarships!”
Ren added that they serve with an impeccable PTK AOB officer board consisting of Maddie Peterson-Nolan, vice president of leadership, Anwita Mishra, vice president of scholarship, Stella Hilgers, vice president of service, and Rachel Volkert, vice president of publicity.
“We are currently searching for a vice president of research, a treasurer, and a recording officer for our chapter,” they said. “Our PTK chapter meets every other Tuesday 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in College Center Room 117 and via Zoom. We have snacks at meetings!”
Ren is an exceptionally engaged student on campus. Along with their work as PTK OAB chapter president, they serve as Psi Beta Psychology Honors Society president, Student Senate advocacy director, and Outdoor Activities Club vice president. They participate in TRIO Student Support Services and previously served as a student ambassador. Ren works 10 hours a week on campus, five hours in Student Senate and five hours in Counseling and Advising.
Officially accepted to Winona State University, Ren will begin classes summer of 2025. They will be majoring in Psychology and double-minoring in Communications Studies and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies. Ren’s future career goals are centered on becoming an academic advisor.
“The first time Ren attended a PTK meeting as a provisional member, they struck me as a future leader in our organization. It came as no surprise to me that they went on to become our current PTK chapter president, and I am absolutely thrilled that Coca-Cola has also recognized them as a Leader of Promise.”
Tanya Smutka, MS Biology Faculty Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Omicron Beta Faculty Advisor Inver Hills Community College
“I am so proud to know and work with Ren through my role as a PTK advisor and to celebrate their achievements. Their leadership is inclusive, calming, and also filled with wit and realism. It always sounds cliché, but I truly cannot wait to see what both the present and future hold for Ren!”
Sadie Pendaz-Foster, PhD Sociology and Humanities Faculty Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Omicron Beta Faculty Advisor Inver Hills Community College
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”
The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion but also give students the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.
“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, executive director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”
Upcoming PTK OAB chapter events include:
Member Meeting: Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in College Center Room 117 and via Zoom. Topic: Brainstorming this year’s projects.
Two Student Success Day Sessions: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
PTK Info Session for prospective members
“All About Scholarships” scholarship workshop open to ALL students
This session offers one-on-one help with how to ask for a letter of recommendation and more—plus filling out applications for the following scholarships:
Inver Hills Foundation scholarships
PTK Organization scholarships
Coca-Cola scholarships
PFund LGBT+ scholarships
Member Meeting: Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in College Center Room 117 and via Zoom. Topic: Fundraising for upcoming events, available scholarships, and more.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.3 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.
The following Inver Hills News story was published March 4, 2024, and has been republished September 16, 2024, with updates.
Student Spotlight: Ren Johnson
Ren Johnson
LGBT+ Club president earning Psychology Transfer Pathway A.A.
Ren Johnson, 19, is completing a Psychology Transfer Pathway A.A. at Inver Hills Community College with plans to graduate in spring 2025. Ren is an exceptionally engaged student at Inver Hills. They serve as president of the college’s LGBT+ Club and are active in Art Club, Beta Sigma Omega Lambda (BSOL) Criminal Justice Club, and the Inver Hills Choir. [see above for updates]
Ren Johnson at Bottomless Coffee with Jerome podcast
Ren also belongs to Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and Psi Beta, the former the international honor society for the two-year college students, the latter the national honor society for two-year college students majoring or minoring in psychology or simply interested in the field of psychology. [see above for updates]
Ren’s involvement on campus includes working nearly 20 hours a week as a student ambassador and student employee in the Counseling & Advising department. They are Mental Health First Aid certified, a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. [see above for updates]
Ren Johnson at Bottomless Coffee with Jerome podcast
“The thing that I love the most about participating in a variety of student clubs and organizations is all of the different kinds of people who I connect with,” they said. “One of my goals in college is to branch out and meet new people, regardless of what groups they may fall into. I believe that surrounding yourself with a diverse group of peers is incredibly important, because it prevents you from becoming too extreme in any ideal and recognizes perspectives you may have never considered.”
Ren manages their time through a Google Calendar. “I also have two amazing supervisors who are very flexible with my needs,” they said. “I also keep a weekly to-do list on my phone with scheduled days for certain homework and for personal time that keeps me on track.”
Ren is looking forward to transferring to Winona State University after graduating from Inver Hills. “I would like to pursue a B.A. in Psychology with a Communication Studies minor,” they said, “and eventually earn an M.A. in Psychology. My dream job would be working as a student life/student affairs director or as a counselor/advisor in a college academic setting.” [see above for updates]
Ren life and college gallery—NEW
Ren and Brie at Renaissance Fair
Finn studying abroad in Scotland
Atticus
Ren with friends at summer party
Brie at Renaissance Fair
Ren with friends at TRIO SSS Circus Show
Outdoor Activities Club
Ren and Finn at concert
PTK officers
Faculty perspective: Amy Zsohar, PhD
Amy Zsohar, PhD
“Ren is a natural leader. They constantly work to model self-care, self-advocacy, and boundary management. I spend a great deal of time in awe with all the things they have figured out that I am still struggling to do.
“They do not shy away from the difficult conversations. It is so powerful to see someone who has such an open mind and heart, while also maintaining and enforcing their boundaries.
“I also have the honor of teaching Ren and appreciate their willingness to speak up. They have actively worked to build community in their class. I am constantly humbled by Ren. They are a true gift to the college, LGBT+ Club, classes, and community.”
Amy Zsohar, PhD Communication Studies Faculty LGBT+ Club Faculty Advisor Inver Hills Community College
Staff perspective: Kimberly Swinney
Kimberly Swinney
“Ren is one of the most talented student leaders I have worked with. They serve in countless leadership positions on campus, and it is evident that they love the Inver Hills community. Ren is a strong advocate for the LGBTQIA2S+ community and will always speak up to make campus a safer space for all students.
“I appreciate Ren’s thoughtfulness in working with students and ensuring that everyone feels supported, seen, and valued.
“It has been amazing watching Ren create a stronger sense of belonging on campus by inviting others to join their group, supporting students looking to start a new club, or personally inviting a student to attend an upcoming event with them.”
Kimberly Swinney Student Life Director Inver Hills Community College
Bottomless Coffee with Jerome podcast at Inver Hills
Ren Johnson, Amy Zsohar, Jerome Evans
The LGBT+ Club at Inver Hills Community College hosted a Bottomless Coffee with Jerome podcast, “Queer Life of College Students,” Monday afternoon, February 26, 2024, in a Fine Arts building classroom on the college’s campus in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.
Amy Zsohar, PhD, communication studies faculty and LGBT+ Club faculty advisor, reported that Jerome Evans interviewed six Inver Hills student LGBT+ Club members for the podcast, which was recorded for later broadcast.
“At last Monday’s podcast recording with Jerome from Bottomless Coffee, Ren and his fellow LGBT+ club members had a chance to talk about the advocacy work they are doing to make Inver Hills more inclusive,” Amy said. “They spoke about the things cis-het students don’t have to think about. They spoke about what they want to still see changed. And they spoke about what brings them joy! All of this work that Ren and their fellow club members do is about finding joy!”
Topics discussed during the podcast included:
How is your college life different from your life in high school?
Did you advocate for yourselves in high school?
Inver Hills advocacy and resources: What advocacy work has been done so far and what do you plan to do in the future?
Prism Center of Gender and Sexuality
Code of Conduct
Gender neutral bathrooms
Locker rooms
Coming out and being outed: Who feels like they came out on their own terms and who feels like they were outed?
What are some things that teachers or other students do that make you feel comfortable?
Transfer students: What was your experience like?
What brings you joy?
Ren Johnson: Bottomless Coffee with Jerome podcast • Q&A
How did you go about arranging and coordinating the event?
I met Jerome at the QUORUM National Coming Out Day Luncheon through LGBT+ Club. He was one of the speakers at the event, speaking about his podcast and the impact it had. After the speeches, Amy and I connected with him about his interest in attending an event hosted by the LGBT+ Club at Inver Hills. After that, Amy scheduled the event with him over email. He was incredibly friendly and easy to work with, and made coordinating for the event a breeze.
What did you enjoy most about the podcast?
My favorite part of the podcast was sharing joy with the other members of LGBT+ Club and Jerome Evans. It was wonderful not only to share my experiences, but to listen and learn from my fellow members and their truths. Jerome was an excellent conversationalist, and listened to us with excitement and willingness to learn. The podcast allowed us the opportunity to be heard. I especially loved being able to advocate, and share both the past changes and future advocacy work that LGBT+ Club is doing on campus.
What LGBT+ Club events do you have planned for the future?
Monday, March 11, 2024, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.:Upcycling thrifted items for upcoming Student Drag Show Tuesday, March 12, 2024:MN Wild Pride Night Monday, March 18, 2024, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.:Costuming and makeup practice for upcoming Student Drag Show Friday, April 12, 2024:Day of Silence (table set up for the week) Wednesday, April 24, 2024:Denim Day/InverCourse—Hosting table with dildo ring toss and sexual health resources Date TBD:Student Drag Show
Bottomless Coffee with Jerome podcast gallery
View more event photos by opening the Inver Hills Flickr album:
Originally from Rosemount, Minnesota, Ren graduated from Rosemount High School, Class of 2023. Ren resides in Inver Grove Heights with their best friend, Brie.
“We have lived together as roommates with her cat Atticus since last summer in an apartment not far from campus ,” they said. “This was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Brie is an incredible roommate, and we work well together dividing up housework, finances, and preparation of food. We have had each other’s backs through thick and thin.”
Ren mentioned that Brie is currently completing her Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) at Inver Hills with plans to transfer to Bemidji State University fall of 2025 and earn a degree in Wildlife and Resource Management. Brie works on campus for Shannon Williams, the college’s community-based learning coordinator, as an environmental initiatives assistant.
“My boyfriend, Finn, and I have been together eight months,” Ren said. “Finn has been my rock through my mental health struggles these past few months. Without his unconditional support, I would not be able to be as involved as I am without an overwhelming drain on my mental and physical health.
In their free time, Ren loves making art, playing video games, making academic plans in DARs, and spending time with Brie, who is teaching Ren how to cook.
“My favorite medium of art is painting, but I often experiment with other mediums like ceramics, drawing, digital art, stamp-making, and sculpture,” Ren said. “In terms of video games, I prefer low-stress ‘cozy’ games. My top games are Stardew Valley, Minecraft, The Sims 4, and Slime Rancher.Baldur’s Gate 3 is my current obsession, as I have a deep love for Dungeons & Dragons and nerdy things.”
Ren life and college gallery
Brie
Atticus
Drag Brunch
Loki
Ren with boyfriend Finn
Thor
Friends
Atticus
Ren at Inver
Loki
Ren at Inver
Thor
Ren with their cousins and Brie
One word that best describes your experience at Inver Hills:
DIVERSE
Ren Johnson • Q & A
Ren Johnson
What do you enjoy most about your role as the LGBT+ Club president?
The thing that I enjoy most about my role as LGBT+ Club president is that it allows me an opportunity to be an advocate for the LGBT+ community on the Inver Hills campus. I have many ways that I wish to continually improve this campus to be more LGBT and especially gender-neutral-friendly.
Being president of the LGBT+ Club provides the means to make these wants a reality. I also get to meet other members of the community, and I continuously learn from their lived experiences.
What advice would you give students thinking about participating in LGBT+ Club meetings and activities?
The advice that I would give students thinking about participating in LGBT+ Club meetings and activities is to start by just attending one meeting. Joining a new club can be very overwhelming and anxiety inducing, so in the LGBT+ Club we try our best to accommodate and include everyone.
We welcome everyone, even if they are an ally of the community. A prospective student could always begin by spending time in the Prism Center if the club doesn’t work for them, so that they can get to know members of the club and community.
What do you find most engaging about your Psychology Transfer Pathway program coursework?
In my Psych Transfer program coursework, I find my weekly class discussions to be the most engaging. In my Sociology class, we do weekly readings on sociological issues in the world and write a response to them. Through these articles I have learned a lot about diverse issues, and how to view them from a sociological perspective.
Similarly, there are weekly application questions in my Psychology classes that put the textbook knowledge to use thinking about real-world issues. Both are the highlights of my week, as I get to educate myself on how the world works.
Three words that describe you as a college student:
AMBITIOUS. OUTGOING. INVOLVED.
What area of psychology interests you the most and why?
The area of psychology that interests me the most is analyzing and predicting why people act the way they do. One of my previous psychology teachers once said, “Life is like playing a game without the rules, and psychology teaches you those rules.”
I’ve found this quote to be incredibly impactful. By learning psychology I have gained much more perspective on others. I can approach them with sympathy, understanding the root causes of their behavior.
What traits and abilities do you have that can help you succeed in the mental health field?
I am incredibly empathetic and friendly with new people, and always approach things with an open-minded view. I love meeting new people, and getting to hear their stories. I also love managing schedules, and degree planning.
I’ve spent countless hours playing around in e-Services with the other Minnesota State colleges courses, and in the DARS degree planner. I’m a big problem-solver, and love making plans to complete tasks.
I am also Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certified, which has trained me in how to recognize and respond to mental health and substance abuse crises.
What do you like best about attending Inver Hills?
My favorite part about attending Inver Hills is both the students who attend and the faculty who work here. As someone who went to a very white suburban high school, I wanted to go to a college where I could interact with people of various ages, genders, cultures, and races.
Inver Hills has been a great place for me to achieve that, and I have expanded my knowledge a lot in the short time I’ve been here.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
Remove gender-based violence.
Ren Johnson • 12 Answers
Favorite sport or physical activity: Kickboxing
Place you would most like to visit: Switzerland
Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: I ran a 5K marathon mud run last summer with Brie and her younger brother
Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Invest money into a variety of high-yield accounts 2) Pay off the debt of and support those around me 3) Donate the rest to charities and causes that I believe in
Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: The series The Haunting of Bly Manor
Time period (past or future) you would explore if you could time travel: If I wouldn’t be killed by illness or murdered for my identity, probably the 1920s
One thing you most want to accomplish in your life: Having a legacy built on uplifting and supporting others—being remembered fondly
Your national bird if you were your own country: Peacock
Dream occupation: Director of student life at a college
Person you would most like to meet: Will Wood
Skill you would most like to learn and master: Playing the piano
Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Distribution of wealth and resources
Kimberly Swinney
Student Life Director
Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Omicron Beta Staff Advisor
Inver Hills Community College kimberly.swinney@inverhills.edu
651-450-3544
Learn more about the LGBT+ Club at Inver Hills by contacting:
Amy Zsohar
Communication Studies Faculty
LGBT+ Club Faculty Advisor
Inver Hills Community College azsohar@inverhills.edu
651-450-3659
Jenny Schuhwerck Testing Center Coordinator
LGBT+ Club Staff Advisor
Inver Hills Community College jschuhwerck@inverhills.edu
651-450-3430
Learn more about diversity and equity at Inver Hills by contacting:
Psychology coursework at Inver Hills makes perfect sense if you plan on continuing your college education to earn a more advanced degree. Taking psychology courses is a great way to build a versatile foundation for other learning goals.
Our psychology faculty believe that deepening your knowledge through the discipline of psychology will enhance your personal life while helping you grow professionally with a passion for civic engagement and social responsibility.
Why Study Psychology at Inver Hills?
Study what matters most.
Psychology is one of the most influential and resourceful applied sciences in the modern world. As a psychology student, you will work to better appreciate human diversity, becoming more empathetic and less judgmental along the way.
Deepen your self-awareness.
Investigating the multifold facets of human behavior will give you the tools to better manage your daily life. You’ll upgrade your interactions with others, improve your learning and memory performance, get a handle on stress, and learn to recognize the initial indicators of serious mental and emotional illness.
Psychology bridges all gaps.
Your psychology coursework will complement learning in other academic programs. For starters, fine arts, business, education, social justice, healthcare, biology, and communication majors can all benefit from the insights into human nature they can gain from their psychology studies. After all, people are the most significant moving parts in virtually every discipline.
Do your research on research.
Psychologists are master researchers. As a student in our Psychology Transfer Pathway A.A. program, you will make your bones doing research projects, which means you’ll strengthen your critical-thinking and analytical power while expanding your knowledge base—all transferable improvements to your skill set.
Don’t worry, there’s a scientific method to our madness.
As a psychology major you will learn how to state your question, propose your theory, and then construct a rigorous lab or field experiment to grill your hypothesis. Point being, you’ll learn how to take your findings and new understanding to create evidence-based strategies that can tackle problems and make a real difference in people’s lives.
Take things in stages.
Developmental psychology focuses on the typical stages of a person’s lifespan. When you study these stages in depth, noting progress and changes in terms of thoughts, emotions, functions, challenges, and behavior, you begin to empathize with the confusion and difficulties people face during each obligatory phase of their lives. That empathy is the very reason you chose psychology in the first place.
Specialties are our specialty.
Need to find your ideal niche? Lucky for you, psychology is a field with nearly more specialties than humankind has varieties of apples. You’ve got clinical, cognitive, counseling, engineering, experimental, forensic, geriatric, industrial, school, sports, and more. Find out which one resonates the most with you.
Psychology today, career success tomorrow.
Our Transfer Pathway A.A. gives you the credits you need to transfer with junior-year status to a psychology baccalaureate program at a Minnesota State university. Your education at Inver Hills will propel you toward your academic future and career calling.
Explore the human heart with clear vision.
Psychologists are trained to identify and analyze human behavior across the spectrum. They work with children and adults of all ages and walks of life to help them solve problems related to mental well-being and emotional stability. Psychologists are also keenly involved in the process of examining behavioral modes that influence the lives of healthy human beings.
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. Read more…
Psychologists work in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, and private practice. Most are full time, but part-time work is common. Some work evenings or weekends to accommodate their clients’ schedules. Read more…
Overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. Read more…
About 12,800 openings for psychologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Read more…
Place you would most like to visit: Switzerland 
Your national bird if you were your own country: Peacock 
