Dec 18, 2015

Columbia State Student Awarded MTSU Blue Raider Scholarship

Iliana with scholarship certificate
Photo Caption (Martinez):
Iliana Martinez

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Dec. 17, 2015) - - - Columbia State Community College Williamson Campus student Iliana Martinez was recently awarded the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raider Scholarship.

"Iliana is a shining example of student persistence inside and outside of the classroom experience," said Bridgette Hurte, student services coordinator at the Williamson Campus. "She is an intelligent, quiet leader with a natural curiosity who understands the importance of attaining a higher education. We are very proud of her accomplishments."

Martinez plans to transfer to MTSU this spring where she'll major in Spanish and education with a minor in psychology. She plans to teach Spanish after completing her bachelor's degree and eventually become a principal.

"Columbia State was a good start to my education," Martinez said. "The faculty and staff were very supportive, especially Ms. Hurte."

The Franklin resident graduated from Columbia State in December 2015 with an Associate of Science degree in foreign language. Martinez was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa's Beta Kappa Theta chapter, the honor society for two-year colleges.

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.