Cynthia Bent, a Brookhaven Community College student who plans to attend The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) in the fall, has been named to the First Team on USA TODAY’s All-USA Academic Team for Community Colleges.

As part of the honor, Bent, who lives in Carrollton and will major in business administration at UTD, will receive a $2,500 stipend, a plaque and recognition in a special section of the national newspaper. Only two individuals from each community college in the United States are nominated for the prize, and only 20 students are selected to be on the first, second and third teams. The newspaper also named Bent a New Century Scholar – an award given to the top-scoring All-USA applicant from each state.

The All-USA Academic Team for Community Colleges competition is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the American Association of Community Colleges and USA TODAY. The program recognizes scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments of students enrolled in community, technical and junior colleges. Nominees were considered based on outstanding grade-point averages, participation in honors programs, awards, recognition for academic achievement and service to the college and community.