Ivy Tech Columbus student earns 3 national honors

COLUMBUS, Ind. -Ivy Tech Community College Columbus has announced that student leader Dakota McLaughlin, of Shelbyville, has earned three of the nation’s most prestigious honors for community college students.

The awards include 2026 New Century Transfer Scholar, 2026 All-USA Academic Team member, and 2026 Guistwhite Scholar.

Collectively, these recognitions include $10,750 in scholarships and national acknowledgment of Dakota’s academic excellence, leadership, and service.

McLaughlin was selected as Indiana’s 2026 New Century Transfer Scholar, an honor given to only one student in each state. New Century Transfer Scholars are chosen for their academic accomplishments, leadership, and intellectual talents beyond the classroom.

He was named to the 2026 All-USA Academic Team, one of the country’s premier academic honors for students pursuing an associate degree. All-USA scholars are recognized for their intellectual achievement, leadership, community involvement, and campus engagement.

In addition, McLaughlin was awarded the 2026 Guistwhite Scholar designation. Winners were chosen based on academic excellence, leadership accomplishments, and engagement, and received a $5,000 scholarship and a commemorative medallion.