海角直播

Publish Date: April 25, 2025

海角直播 students Vanessa Vincent and Sam Tuckett were recently named semifinalists for the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, an award designed to support standout community college students as they transfer to four-year universities.

This year, 467 semifinalists were selected from a pool of more than 1,600 applicants representing 212 community colleges across 43 states. The Cooke Foundation鈥檚 review process looks closely at academic excellence, persistence through personal and financial challenges, and the ability to lead and serve others. Final scholarship recipients will be announced in May.
 
For Vanessa, the moment she found out was unforgettable.

鈥淲hen I received my first email informing me that I had been selected as a semifinalist, I was overjoyed,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hen, I received another email congratulating me on officially becoming a Cooke Scholar. The following day, I saw the list of students from around the world who had been selected. Seeing my name among them was incredible. I felt so proud and grateful to have made it this far.鈥� 

Vanessa came to 海角直播 with a nontraditional path, returning to school in her 50s after previously working as a flight attendant. She said her journey at 海角直播 has been 鈥渘othing short of remarkable,鈥� despite early doubts about college and how she鈥檇 manage it all.

Vanessa recalled feeling completely lost when she first registered at 海角直播, until she met Interim Financial Aid Coordinator Manny Villegas. 

鈥淗e encouraged me to apply for FAFSA even though I didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 qualify,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hen I met Adjunct Counselor Shella Scott, who believed in me and pushed me to take more classes.鈥� 

After that, the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) team helped guide Vanessa the rest of the way. 

Vanessa credits many of her professors for helping her succeed while managing dyslexia and PTSD. She shared how Professor of Kinesiology Elizabeth Johnson鈥檚 yoga classes taught her breathing techniques that helped her manage anxiety, and how 海角直播鈥檚 Dr. Christie Firtha, professor of English, went out of her way to meet with her over Zoom and support her writing process.

海角直播鈥檚 faculty has even transformed Vanessa鈥檚 approach to politics.

鈥淧rofessor Kenyon Callahan made politics engaging. I never cared for it before, but now I watch debates and even voted this year,鈥� she added.

Vanessa plans to major in psychology and sociology, with the goal of returning to aviation and using her studies to support nonprofit organizations, especially those serving women鈥檚 shelters.

鈥淭hough I鈥檓 54, I believe it鈥檚 never too late to learn and grow,鈥� she said.
 
 Sam's journey to 海角直播 also came out of a turning point. He had worked in construction most of his life and returned to school simply looking for a different path. He took a geology class that happened to fit his schedule, and everything changed.

鈥淚 ended up loving it so much that I became a geology major,鈥� he said.

Sam鈥檚 excitement for the subject was sparked by 海角直播鈥檚 Geology Professor Richard Hughes III, who encouraged him to pursue undergraduate research and present at conferences, including the national meeting of the Geological Society of America.

Sam says the support he鈥檚 received from his instructors has been key to his success. 鈥淒r. Kimberly Salt, professor of chemistry, got me excited about the subject and how it connects to both my major and everyday life,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd somehow, my math professor, Jillian Robertson, made Calculus II, Calculus III, and differential equations fun, which is something I鈥檓 eternally grateful for.鈥�

Judy Cannon, 海角直播鈥檚 Honors coordinator, encouraged Sam to apply for the Cooke Scholarship in the first place, and Krysten Audibert, director of the STEM Center, helped secure funding for him to print research posters and attend out-of-town conferences.

As someone who is financially independent, Sam said being selected for this scholarship would help take a lot of pressure off. He plans to keep studying geology after transferring and hopes to one day return to a community college classroom as a professor.

鈥淚 want to inspire students the way my professors inspired me,鈥� he said.

海角直播鈥檚 Dean of Student Services and Counseling, Dr. Ivan Pe帽a, said both students reflect the kind of drive and passion the college strives to support.

鈥淏eing named a semifinalist for this scholarship is an incredible achievement that reflects Vanessa鈥檚 and Sam鈥檚 dedication and academic excellence,鈥� said Pe帽a. 鈥淲e are absolutely thrilled for them and proud to be part of their journey. Our faculty and staff are here to support them every step of the way as they continue moving forward.鈥� 

Both students offered advice to others who might be considering applying for scholarships.

鈥淢y advice is simple,鈥� said Vanessa. 鈥淏e kind, ask questions and build relationships. When a professor goes out of their way to help you, write them a thank-you or a letter to their dean. Those things matter.鈥� 

Sam鈥檚 advice? 

鈥淎pply. The worst answer you can get is no."