Columbia State Community College student and Phi Theta Kappa member Bretta Kent has recently been named a 2025 New Century Workforce Pathway scholar.

Kent, a Marshall County resident pursuing her Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing, will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

She is the sole student from Tennessee to be named a New Century Workforce Pathway scholar after receiving the highest scores in the state based on academic and extracurricular accomplishments.

“Bretta’s leadership skills became evident at the Lewisburg Campus as she rallied students to join and participate in campus activities and establish study groups,” said Dr. Michelle Koenig, Columbia State dean of access, retention and regional services. “I was moved by her effortless ability to connect with faculty, staff and her peers.”

Kent will be recognized at an event during the Association of Community College Trustees’ Leadership Congress in October in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“I was honestly really surprised that I had the honor of receiving this scholarship,” Kent said. “I couldn’t have gotten as far as I have in my college career without the steadfast encouragement I’ve received from the staff at Columbia State and my fellow students. It makes it special being a first-generation and a non-traditional student. College is hard work, but the people you meet and the skills you learn are priceless.”

Columbia State’s chapter of PTK, Beta Kappa Theta, was chartered in 2000 and has since achieved Five Star status many times. Membership into Phi Theta Kappa is limited to roughly the top 10% of students based on academic achievements.

PTK is the first honor society to recognize the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges, according to the honor society. PTK’s membership is estimated at 4.4 million worldwide. 

The New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation with support from PTK. In 2023, the Coca-Cola Foundation awarded over $1.6 billion in international grants to support access to water, climate impacts and local causes, among others around the world.