Georgia Northwestern Technical College has announced the 2026 recipients of the LAA–Mohawk Scholarship, recognizing students who are engaged in the Latino/Hispanic community and pursuing career and technical education across Northwest Georgia. The announcement was made during a ceremony held in the Conference Center on GNTC’s Gordon County Campus in Calhoun.

The scholarship is funded by the Latin American Association (LAA) with sponsorship from Mohawk Industries Inc. and supports students who reside in Floyd, Gordon, Murray, or Whitfield counties. Each award is $1,000 and will be applied to tuition, fees, and related educational expenses.

GNTC President Dr. Heidi Popham said the scholarship helps open doors not only for students, but also for their families—especially as many recipients are first-generation college students.

“This scholarship is very meaningful, as it creates fresh opportunities and futures for students pursuing educational dreams not just for themselves, but for their families,” Popham said. She added that while many recipients are the first in their families to attend college, she believes they will not be the last. Popham also noted that in the last academic year, 25 percent of GNTC’s enrollment was Latino or Hispanic, and said the partnership with LAA will remain important as that number continues to grow.

The 2026 recipients include:

  • Yvonne Beltran of Dalton — Welding and Joining Technology

  • Melissa Del Real of Rome — Radiologic Technology

  • Joseph Guerrero of Calhoun — Electrical Systems Technology

  • Leslee Menjivar of Calhoun — Electrical Systems Technology

  • Guadalupe Nuñez of Dalton — Healthcare Billing and Coding Specialist

  • Ronaldo Ramirez of Rome — Aviation Maintenance Technology

Scholarship eligibility is open to GNTC students in any program with at least a 2.5 GPA, and it recognizes community engagement through heritage, involvement, volunteerism, language, and support.

LAA Chief Operations Officer Eliezer Velez encouraged recipients to stay connected and continue serving others. Mohawk Industries representatives said the partnership is part of a long-term effort to invest in programs that benefit employees, families, and the wider region—particularly as a significant portion of the workforce is Hispanic. LAA leaders also emphasized their mission of lowering barriers to opportunity and helping families thrive through resources and support offered through service centers in Atlanta, Gwinnett County, and Northwest Georgia.

More information on GNTC Foundation scholarships is available through the college’s website.