Heartland student Veronica Swanson named 2023 New Century Workforce Scholar

 

[March 22, 2023]   A Heartland Community College student has been selected at the Illinois recipient of a national honor for two-year college students.

Veronica Swanson has been named a 2023 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon the completion of a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK).

"Every year the Honors/Service Learning program excels. Our students have won awards at state awards at conferences and offer amazing opportunities for the college and community.” Said Cristina Prestin-Beard, Heartland Community College Honors Program instructor and PTK faculty advisor. “Veronica has really grown within our program; a true testament to the capability of non-traditional students.”

New Century Workforce Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,400 students were nominated from more than 1,300 college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.

Veronica is seeking an Applied Associates in Science degree concentrating on Business Technology and Administrative Office skills.

“We congratulate Veronica for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize these 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 Scholars will be recognized in the fall.

About The Coca-Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world.

For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please visit coca-colagivingback.com.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

[Steve Fast
Assistant to the President, Public Information and Communication
Heartland Community College]