Brookdale Community College student Adam Deinhardt has been named a 2026 Hites Scholar, earning a prestigious $7,500 scholarship to support his transfer and continued pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.
Deinhardt, a member of Brookdale’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, was selected from more than 3,000 applicants nationwide for his academic achievement, leadership, and meaningful engagement in research and campus life.
Since his last national recognition as a Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar, Deinhardt has continued to expand both his leadership and scholarly impact.
He now serves as:
- President of the Physics & Astronomy Club
- A researcher in the New Jersey Space Grant Consortium (NJSGC) NASA-funded on-campus program, conducting interdisciplinary work in mathematics and physics
Through this NASA-supported initiative, Deinhardt has collaborated with and received mentorship from professionals affiliated with leading institutions including Princeton, MIT, and UC Berkeley gaining hands-on experience in research development and proposal writing.
In October, he achieved a major milestone by publishing two peer-reviewed articles at IEEE MASS 2025, the International Conference on Mobile Ad-Hoc and Smart Systems in Chicago. As first author on one of the papers, Deinhardt presented research on AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) smart systems designed to support adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in residential settings, sharing his findings with leaders across the technology and healthcare industries.
This spring, he will graduate as a Global Citizen Distinction Scholar, earning associate degrees in mathematics and physics.
“This is an exceptional honor that reflects Adam’s hard work and the power of the opportunities available at Brookdale,” said Brookdale President David M. Stout, Ph.D. “His journey shows what’s possible when students engage deeply with their studies, research, and campus community.”
Reflecting on the honor, Deinhardt shared:
“Being named a Hites Scholar is a truly special moment for both my PTK and community college journey. It demonstrates that even small academic wins such as completing assignments on time, forming study groups, and utilizing office hours can build toward major success. Brookdale helped me learn how to balance a demanding schedule through planning and organization, skills that will carry forward into research and beyond.”
He credits Brookdale’s environment for shaping his growth.
“Brookdale offered opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and community engagement that helped me become a more well-rounded individual. I was able to pair rigorous mathematical work with experiences focused on fellowship and social responsibility, which prepared me both academically and personally for the next stage.”
Deinhardt plans to transfer with a focus on Applied Mathematics, with Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science among his top choices, along with Rutgers University and Stevens Institute of Technology.
His long-term goal is to pursue doctoral studies and build a career as an applied mathematician working in medical research before transitioning into academic leadership.
Phi Theta Kappa will recognize the 2026 Hites Scholars as a group on stage during the Parade of Scholars at PTK Catalyst, Phi Theta Kappa’s Annual Convention, held March 26-28 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Hites Transfer Scholarship, made possible by the Hites Family Foundation and the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, is the largest scholarship awarded by PTK and supports exceptional students preparing to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting institutions and helping them grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.