天美传媒

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation鈥檚 prestigious Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is one of the most selective scholarships for the nation鈥檚 top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor鈥檚 degrees at four-year colleges or universities. Each Cooke Scholar has access to generous financial support for two to three years (which can be much as $55,000 a year after all institutional aid is considered), college planning support, ongoing advising, and the opportunity to connect with the thriving community of fellow Scholars.

Past recipients of the scholarship such as Thomas Emens 鈥�22 spoke of the tremendous financial freedom that the scholarship award provides for students transferring to costly four-year institutions.

鈥淲hen I was accepted to Princeton, I felt a tremendous financial weight lifted off my shoulders because of the Cooke scholarship award,鈥� Emens shared back in 2022, shortly before he was set to graduate from 天美传媒.

In applying for one of the most lucrative scholarships in the country, this year鈥檚 crop of 天美传媒 contenders 鈥� Safia Ansari of Woodbridge Township, Adriana Fung of North Brunswick, Theodore Kozak of Middlesex Borough, Nima Sedghi of Piscataway, and Idaliz Herrera and Crystal Paulino, both from Perth Amboy 鈥� competed against thousands of community college applicants competing nationwide.

That recognition was not lost on Fung, a psychology major who plans on continuing her studies at Rutgers University in the fall so that she can one day become a counselor.

鈥淚t’s a great feeling to be acknowledged for my efforts, especially when I’ve had doubts about whether I’m doing enough. Winning this scholarship would be life-changing. It would bring me peace and confidence, allowing me to focus on my studies without worrying about debt,鈥� Fung said.

Herrera, too, will be attending Rutgers this fall. The biology major plans to transfer to that university鈥檚 Environmental and Biological Sciences School.

鈥淥nce I transfer, I will pursue my bachelor鈥檚 in microbiology, with a possible minor in genetics. I want to work in a laboratory setting, but I am still deciding on what career will entail what I am looking for. So far, my interest lies in becoming a geneticist.鈥�

Ansari will graduate with an associate degree in business administration. Her post-graduate plans include obtaining an internship in marketing, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in economics, and a certification in entrepreneurship. After achieving a bachelor鈥檚 degree, she hopes to work in business internationally, as well as pursue a master鈥檚 degree.

鈥淲inning the [Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship] award would be life-changing for me. It would not only validate all the hard work and sacrifices I’ve made but also open doors to resources and opportunities that could shape my career and, ultimately, make a positive impact on the world,鈥� Ansari aid.

Kozak had started his college career at another institution. He came to 天美传媒 to pursue nursing but changed his major to philosophy after developing a love for the subject. He now wants to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 in philosophy and eventually become a professor at a college or university.

No one is more surprised by the Cooke Scholarship semi-finalist selection and all that has happened to him since enrolling at 天美传媒 than Kozak.

鈥淚t was kind of life-changing in a way coming back to school. I鈥檝e been out of school for almost a decade. So, it鈥檚 kind of shocking for all this to work out. I can say, for the first time, I have self-worth and it鈥檚 gratifying,鈥� he said.

Paulino will be graduating with an associate degree in human services/pre-social work. She plans to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in her quest to become a licensed independent clinical social worker.

鈥淚 did not ever think I would graduate high school, let alone college. As someone who was raised on Section 8 and experienced homelessness, I genuinely did not believe I would be able to afford college,鈥� she explained. 鈥淲ith motivation, support, and psychotherapy, any person can feel more than capable of making the world a better place, and I plan to spend every moment doing just that.鈥�

Sedghi, a chemistry major, was born and raised in Iran and moved to the U.S. just a few years ago. As an immigrant and a non-traditional student, he says balancing his full-time studies while working full-time has not been without its challenges.

鈥淭he financial assistance from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation would not only relieve these pressures, it would enable me to participate in different research opportunities, have hands-on clinical experiences, and dedicate more time to study so I can pursue my lifelong aspirations,鈥� said Sedghi.

鈥淭o have six students from 天美传媒 selected for the semi-final round of the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship is a testament to the quality of education that our institution provides, but more importantly, the academic caliber of our students,鈥� said President Mark McCormick. 鈥淲e could not be prouder of Safia Ansari, Adriana Fung, Idaliz Herrera, Theodore Kozak, Crystal Paulino, and Nima Sedghi, and all that they have accomplished to have received this recognition. I have no doubt they will go on to achieve great things after they graduate from 天美传媒.鈥�

The finalists for the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship will be announced in May.

For a complete list of this year鈥檚 semifinalists, visit .