Tyler Junior College sophomore Griselle Esparza, a biology major of Tyler, has been named a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.
At TJC, Esparza is vice president of scholarships in the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, serves as vice president of the Student Senate and is a member of the Hispanic Student Organization. In August, she was named a 2018 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar.
Following graduation from TJC in May, Esparza plans to transfer to a university and major in pre-med.
Through this community college transfer scholarship, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation supports high-achieving community college students as they transfer to some of the top four-year institutions in the country to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
This year’s Cooke semifinalists were chosen from a pool of nearly 1,500 applicants attending 369 schools in 45 states and the District of Columbia.
“Countless highly talented and motivated students begin their college experience at community college, and our recent ‘Persistence’ report shows that they excel after they transfer,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
“We’re pleased to recognize this incredible cohort of semifinalists for their academic drive and achievement.”
The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipients will be announced in April. Each selected scholar will be provided generous financial support for up to three years, college planning services, ongoing advising, and the opportunity to connect with a thriving community of fellow Cooke Scholars.
Cooke Transfer Scholars are selected based on exceptional academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, service to others, and leadership. Students must be currently enrolled community college students residing in the United States.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $190 million in scholarships to nearly 2,500 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services.
The Foundation has also provided over $100 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.