Leah Barnes, a student at North Dakota State College of Science, has been named a 2017 New Century Scholar by achieving the state’s highest score in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition. This is the third consecutive year in which the New Century Scholar from North Dakota has been a student at North Dakota State College of Science.

The New Century Scholars program, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa and the American Association of Community Colleges, 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 from more than 1,000 community colleges for recognition. Judges consider academic accomplishments, leadership, activities and most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. New Century Scholars are the highest scoring students in each state.