SCC PTA student Rachel Begley selected as a 2024 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar: earns the highest score in KY

Published on Mar 19, 2024

Somerset Community College (SCC) student Rachel Begley, a 2018 high school graduate of Washington County High School, has been selected as a 2024 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar.

The Coca-Cola Foundation sponsors the New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship program with additional support from Phi Theta Kappa. More than 2,200 applications were received and evaluated on academic achievement, leadership, service, and significant endeavors. Begley received the highest score in the state.

Begley is due to graduate from SCC's Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program in May and is active in her community.

At SCC, Begley is a member of the Physical Therapy Service Organization, the 2024 student representative for the SCC PTA Program Advisory Board, and the SCC College Appeals Board Student Alternate.

At the state level, Begley is the PTA Student Liaison for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) KY Student Special Interest Group.

It was important for her to choose a career that could make a difference in people's lives and be financially rewarding. She is already using her platform as a PTA student to give back to her community.

Begley enjoys volunteering and doing charity work for different organizations. She and her class at SCC helped fundraise for the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research. Additionally, she participated in the March for Babies organization event in Somerset and volunteered to perform athlete screens at the Kentucky Special Olympics.

As a New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar, Begley will receive a $1,500 scholarship and be recognized during the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Leadership Congress, held from October 23–26, 2024, in Seattle, Washington.

"Earning this title highlights the hard work I have put in these past two years and demonstrates my passion for this career through my community service involvement and personal qualities." Begley said." I feel so honored."

The student thanked her two professors, Dr. Corey Moore and Dr. Melanie Hines, for supporting her and nominating her for the award.

"We are very proud of Rachel and look forward to the positive impact she will have on her future patients," Dr. Corey Moore, SCC's PTA Program Director, said.

Begley has plans to relocate to Lexington after graduation to provide her services in a skilled nursing facility or outpatient clinic.

Find more information about SCC’s award-winning PTA program.