Ten Montgomery College Students Named Semifinalists for Prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has (JKCF) recently announced the semifinalists for its highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarshipnew window. Of the 467 semifinalists nationwide, 10 are current Montgomery College students. This year’s semifinalists were chosen from a pool of more than 1,600 applicants and attend 212 community colleges in 43 states. The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipients will be announced in early May.

Through this award, the Foundation supports high-achieving community college students with financial need seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at selective four-year institutions.

Montgomery College’s 10 JKCF semifinalists are:

• Danae (Samantha) Flores Tene
• Denesia Jocktane-Akagah
• Nafeesah Owodeyi
• Rodin Ruiz
• Jannatul Tapashi
• Espina Lupili
• Marinobi Medrano
• Yesho Vir
• Zahra Sarfraz
• JKCF Semifinalist (name withheld)

View the list of this year’s Cooke Transfer Scholar semifinalists, their community colleges, and their hometowns on the JKCF websitenew window.  

The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides comprehensive support that extends far beyond financial assistance, recognizing that admission and enrollment are only the beginning. This scholarship is designed to help students not only reach college but successfully navigate and complete their journey. Selected Cooke Transfer Scholars receive personalized educational advising from the Foundation’s Deans of Scholar Support, who guide them through the transition to a four-year institution and help prepare them for future careers. Scholars also gain access to transformative opportunities including internships, study abroad experiences, and graduate school funding, as well as inclusion in a thriving community of more than 3,400 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni who provide mentorship and networking connections throughout their academic and professional lives.

“Our Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship represents a lifeline for exceptional community college students to actualize their academic dreams,” said Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili, executive director of the Cooke Foundation. “This year’s semifinalists exemplify the extraordinary talent found within community colleges across America, and we’re excited to congratulate this group as we celebrate a quarter century of work as a Foundation.”

Cooke Transfer Scholars are selected based on their exceptional academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, service, and leadership. Students must be currently enrolled in community college or recent alumni.

Learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship on the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation websitenew window.