Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington radiation therapy student, Braden Ballard, has been named a 2024 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Over 2,200 students from more than 1,300 college campuses nationwide were nominated and only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.
The 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 completing a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
“Winning the 2024 New Century Workforce Scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is an incredible honor. Beyond the financial assistance it provides for my education, this achievement validates my hard work and dedication to my academic and career pursuits,” Ballard said. “This scholarship opens doors to opportunities I may not have had access to otherwise, allowing me to further my education and pursue my career aspirations with confidence.”
New Century Workforce Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom.
“We congratulate Braden 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.”
Ballard serves as vice president for Ivy Tech Bloomington Student Government Association and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Alpha Rho Sigma chapter. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
New Century Workforce Scholars will be recognized at a ceremony in Seattle, Wash. this 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, 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.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
