(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - April 5, 2017) - - - Columbia State Community College student, Destiny Seaton, has been named a 2017 New Century Scholar by achieving the state's highest score in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition. Seaton is currently majoring in mass communications.

The New Century Scholars program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa and the American Association of Community Colleges. The program shares a common application with the All-USA Community College Academic Team program, which recognizes outstanding community college students.

More than 1,800 students were nominated for recognition from more than 1,000 community colleges. Judges consider academic accomplishments, leadership, activities and how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom.

Seaton serves as a senator in the Columbia State Student Government Association, is a member of the President's Leadership Society, serves on the Campus Tree Advisory Committee, works as an on-campus tutor and is a volunteer in the community. Seaton plans on continuing her education to earn a master's degree in journalism and environmental sciences.

"Destiny is a service-minded individual who has excelled in the classroom," said Mandy Carter-Lowe, Columbia Sate associate professor of biology and PTK advisor. "She puts her knowledge to work in the field by bringing awareness to environmental issues and helping others. I'm excited to see that her submission has been recognized as the best from among Tennessee's community college students."

New Century Scholars are the highest scoring students in each state. Each scholar will receive a $2,000 scholarship and will be recognized at the PTK President's Breakfast in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 24 during the AACC convention.

"We appreciate the support of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and the Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize the academic achievement and leadership accomplishments of these outstanding community college students," said PTK president and CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. "These scholarships provided by organizations like Coca-Cola make the goal of college completion possible."

PTK is the premier honor society to recognize the academic achievement of community college students to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.2 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in nine nations.

Photo Caption: Destiny Seaton

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.