Two Kingsborough Students Named Semifinalists For Coveted Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Students Shaindy Weichman and Jiahua Wu
Two Kingsborough Students Named Semifinalists For Coveted Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Kingsborough Community College (KCC) students Shaindy Weichman and Jiahua Wu were among the 440 nationwide semifinalists selected by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for its highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This year’s semifinalists were chosen from a pool of more than 1,200 applicants attending 180 community colleges in 35 states. The list will be further culled, with finalists announced by early May.
“The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship broadens the opportunities available to community college students,” noted KCC President Claudia Schrader. “Being named a semi-finalist distinguishes them from other applicants wishing to transfer to a four-year college. We are extremely proud of Shaindy and Jiahua, and hope to see them included among this year’s finalists.”
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. The coveted scholarship offers unmatched support to community college students seeking to complete their education at top four-year institutions. Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational expenses, including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees, for the final two to three years necessary to achieve a bachelor’s degree.
This highly competitive scholarship includes up to $55,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school, the ability to pursue any area of study, and personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid. In addition to financial support, the selected finalists will receive comprehensive educational advisement to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year school and preparing for their careers. Finalists will also receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of nearly 3,000 fellow Cooke scholars and alumni. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition and other grants or scholarships they may receive.
Shaindy Weichman grew up in the Brooklyn Hasidic community of Williamsburg. Having graduated in December 2021, she is the first in her nuclear family to attend and graduate college. The fine arts major said she feels happiest when doing creative things. “Being named a semifinalist is more than an honor for me. It is a testament to the hard work I continue to put into myself and my college journey,” said Shaindy. “Having the financial burden lifted in my pursuit of education would be life-changing for me.”
The recent graduate, who credits KCC’s College Discovery program and Access-Ability Services with contributing to her college success, said she didn’t know what college she will transfer to or what her major will be, but knows it will be in a creative field. She has applied to several CUNY and SUNY colleges, as well as private schools. “I don’t believe in being done with my education,” noted Shaindy. “Learning is a lifelong process for me, and a lifelong love, too.”
Jiahua Wu immigrated to New York City from China three years ago. She is also the first in her family to attend college. “Being selected as a semifinalist makes me feel a girl from a rural village can dream big,” said Jiahua.
Currently a chemistry major, Jiahua hopes to one day become a psychiatrist and researcher. “I developed a great passion for psychology after taking Dr. Jason VanOra’s abnormal psychology class, especially psychopathology. The class deepened my understanding of pathology and has inspired me to explore the field of psychology,” she shared. She sees the field as one where she could give back to the community that has helped her. Her goal is to transfer to one of her dream schools – NYU or Columbia – and study applied psychology/cognitive science. “Afterwards, I hope to attend an MD/Ph.D. joint program in medicine and psychology. This will allow me to become a psychiatrist and social scientist.”
“The past year has been particularly difficult as students continued to navigate the complexities of hybrid learning, the demands of family care, and disrupted work schedules,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “We are so proud of these semifinalists for their perseverance and achievements at their community colleges.”
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Two Kingsborough Students Named Semifinalists For Coveted Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
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Two Kingsborough Students Named Semifinalists For Coveted Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Students Shaindy Weichman and Jiahua Wu were among the nationwide semifinalists selected by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.