The New Century Scholars program and All-USA Community College Academic Team, which is sponsored by Follett Higher Education Group and presented by USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa, share a common application and together recognize outstanding community college students. More than 1,700 students were nominated from more than 900 community colleges for recognition. Judges consider grades, leadership, activities and most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom.
Courtney Carpenter, a student in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at SCC, was the only student named a New Century Scholar from Kentucky. Carpenter graduated in 2009 as valedictorian of Burgin Independent High School in Mercer County. She attended Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Danville, Kentucky and received her Associates of Arts Degree in August 2012. Carpenter currently residents in Lincoln County and plans to graduate in May of 2015 as a PTA.“After finishing my first Associates degree I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. Upon completing job shadowing and observation hours in the physical therapy occupation, I knew this was the job for me,” said Carpenter. “I wanted to work in a profession that encouraged physical rehabilitation, better health and lifestyles. I chose to apply at Somerset Community College after hearing about the PTA program’s academic excellence. I knew if I could get in the program this is where I would choose to go and pursue my career.”
Carpenter plans to work for a home health agency upon graduation. She also plans to continue her volunteer work with the Special Olympics and also the Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association.
Upon hearing she was chosen to be the New Century Scholar for Kentucky, Carpenter said she was incredibly pleased.
“This was my first college scholarship I had received since high school and was in need financially,” said Carpenter. “As the current Phi Theta Kappa President I was excited to know the award was sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa. I look forward to representing our college and state at the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention this month. I want to thank my family, instructors, advisors, and Somerset Community College for giving me this opportunity and helping me all along the way.”
Margo Hamm, associate dean of the SCC Learning Commons and Phi Theta Kappa KY regional coordinator, said, “I feel very privileged to work with students like Courtney Carpenter. Courtney takes her leadership role in Phi Theta Kappa very seriously. She actively participates in all opportunities to increase her knowledgebase and leadership skills and goes the extra step in sharing what she has learned with her fellow chapter officers, encouraging them to grow as a team.”
Carpenter served as the PTK chapter secretary for 2012 and chapter president for 2013.
“Courtney is one the most engaged officers that I have ever had the privilege to work with and has been key in encouraging and facilitating visibility and communications for our entire chapter,” said Hamm. “Courtney is a strong leader, knowledgeable and very professional. I am extremely proud of her for being named the New Century Scholar for Kentucky.”
New Century Scholars are the highest scoring students in each state, plus one student from Canada and one additional student chosen from among one of the remaining seven sovereign nations where Phi Theta Kappa is represented internationally. Each scholar will receive a $2,000 scholarship and be presented at the American Association of College Presidents (AACC) Convention in Washington, D.C.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1,285 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, Peru, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. Nearly three million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 135,000 students inducted annually.