Gillette College student selected as Wyoming’s New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar

Gillette College student Samantha Power, from Mandan, North Dakota, was recently selected as Wyoming’s 2019 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar. More than 2,000 students were nominated from more than 1,200 college campuses across the country, and only one recipient is selected from each state. Power is the sixth Northern Wyoming Community College District student to receive the honor in the past seven years.

New Century Transfer Pathway Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Power will receive a $2,250 scholarship and be recognized during the AACC Convention President’s Breakfast in Orlando, Florida, on April 15. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa and the American Association of Community Colleges.

Power is a soccer athlete and will graduate this May from Gillette College with her Associate of Science in General Studies. This fall, she plans to transfer to the University of Wyoming Honors College to pursue her bachelor’s in speech, language and hearing science. Her goal is to become a speech pathologist and work with children.

“I came to Gillette College as a last minute decision to pursue soccer, but I have discovered so much more,” said Power. “I have been given the chance to develop as a leader, a student, a scholar and a world changer. I am just so incredibly thankful, grateful, humbled and excited for the next chapter.”

Power serves as president of the Gillette College Student Government and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Student Activities Board and a Student Ambassador.

“This is an incredible achievement,” said Vice President of Gillette College Janell Oberlander. “Samantha represents Gillette College extremely well in everything she does, and we can’t wait to see where her education will take her.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of community college students to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in nine nations. Learn more at ptk.org.