For the third consecutive year, a student from UNM-Valencia will represent New Mexico as the New Century Scholar at the national American Association of Community Colleges conference. Candice Chavez will also be honored as a Bronze Scholar, a first for a UNM-Valencia student.
Chavez is president of the UNM-Valencia Wellness Club and scholarship officer for the campus’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She graduates this spring with an associate’s degree in pharmacy and will apply to the main campus pharmacy program. She plans to complete a doctorate in pharmacy.
She and fellow student Ysennia Aguirre, who just started the bachelor’s in nursing program at main campus, were named to the All-New Mexico Academic Team in February, making Chavez eligible for the national New Century Scholar award. A panel of judges selects award recipients without knowing the candidates’ names or schools. The top scoring student from each of the 50 states is named a New Century Scholar.
Chavez will receive a $2,000 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and an additional $1,000 award for being named a Bronze Scholar. Scholars will be listed in USA Today.