Lake Land College student and Phi Theta Kappa Treasurer Rhyta Hooks of St. Elmo has been named a 2019 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship. Photo submitted by Lake Land College.
For Immediate Release
Lake Land College student named a 2019 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar
Lake Land College student and Phi Theta Kappa Treasurer Rhyta Hooks of St. Elmo has been named a 2019 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship. This is a prestigious award as only one scholar is selected from each state.
This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions who plan to enter the workforce upon the completion of a degree or certificate on a national scale. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa.
“Education helps ensure that young people can realize their full potential,” said Helen Smith Price, president of The Coca-Cola Foundation. “The Coca-Cola Foundation places a high priority on supporting education to help build strong communities.”
New Century Workforce Pathway Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. More than 2,000 students were nominated from more than 1,200 college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar was selected from each state.
Hooks is the current treasurer of the Lake Land College Phi Theta Kappa chapter and contributed to the recognition of Phi Theta Kappa as a Five Star Chapter for the first time in the history of Lake Land College. With more than 50 hours of scholarly research, writing and community service, the Lake Land College Phi Theta Kappa chapter took a lead role in assisting with the opening of the Laker Food Pantry in the fall of 2018.
Hooks thanked Phi Theta Kappa Advisor and Academic Counselor Krista Burrell for being a major help throughout the application process.
“When I received the email saying that I had been awarded the scholarship, I was very surprised! I am simply amazed with it all and very grateful! I am honored to represent Lake Land College through this,” Hooks said.
“We congratulate Rhyta for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize her outstanding achievements,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for students to succeed as they prepare to enter the workforce and for putting college completion within reach.”
The New Century Workforce Pathway Scholars will be recognized during the Association of Community College Trustees’ (ACCT) Leadership Congress in San Francisco, in October 2019.
