From "What? That's me!?" to a Full Ride at Iowa State: Meet Kadence Dieckow

When Kadence Dieckow heard her name called at the All-Iowa Academic Team banquet in Des Moines, her first reaction was pure disbelief.

"What? That's me! I can't believe I won," she said, sitting next to her mom, who was just as stunned.

But the recognition was very real. Kadence, an SCC student from Oquawka, Illinois, has officially been named to the 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team, one of the most competitive academic honors in the country for community college students. The award comes with a $1,300 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, a commemorative medallion, and a spot among the highest-achieving two-year college students in the nation.

And the ripple effects didn't stop there. The recognition also helped Kadence earn a full-ride scholarship to Iowa State University, where she'll transfer this fall to pursue a bachelor's degree in social work.

How the Honor Works

The Coca-Cola Academic Team program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Each year, it awards nearly $200,000 in scholarships to students selected from a national pool of nominees. College administrators put students forward based on academic achievement, leadership, and community engagement, and the bar is high.

On Monday, March 2, Kadence was recognized at a banquet hosted by Community Colleges for Iowa, where Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, presented awards to seven Iowa students.

A Familiar Face on Campus

Kadence isn't new to showing up and getting involved. She's a TRiO student and an active member of SCC's Phi Theta Kappa chapter, where she's stayed plugged into meetings, fundraising, and community service.

"Kadence has been an active Phi Theta Kappa member for our chapter and has been involved in meetings, fundraising, and community activities," said Carlene Woodside, SCC's Phi Theta Kappa advisor. "I'm excited for her and know she will continue to blossom at Iowa State."

What's Next

Kadence wrapped up her Associate of Arts coursework in December and will officially walk across the stage to receive her degree this May. From there, it's on to Ames and a future in social work, a field built for people like her who lead with curiosity, drive, and care for their community.

Congratulations, Kadence. We can't wait to see what you do next.