CCV Graduate Named New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Community College of Vermont (CCV)-Newport graduate DeCarann Speaks has been named an inaugural New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship. Speaks will be honored at the Association of Community College Trustees’ 2018 Leadership Congress on October 24-27, 2018 in New York City.

This new 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 the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Scholars are selected based on academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,000 students were nominated from more than 1,600 college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar was selected from each state.

Speaks graduated from CCV on June 2nd with an associate of applied science degree in medical assisting. She expressed gratitude for the scholarship and said, “when I started school, I wanted to show my children that no matter what age you go to college, you can still succeed in education. I couldn’t have done it without the teachers that helped me along the way, but most importantly my advisor Kay [McIsaac]. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have found out that I love the medical field.” She plans to continue her education and pursue a career in healthcare management.

McIsaac is Coordinator of Academic Services at CCV-Newport. She said that Speaks “is a student who brings joy with her wherever she goes. She excelled as a student in the medical assisting program and was hired by North Country Hospital straight out of her internship. She walked through our door with a goal set in her mind, and she stayed focused and determined until she reached it.”

PTK is an international honor society for community college students. CCV’s chapter was established in 2016.