Campus News

Calhoun Community College student Daymara Ayala was named a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s highly competitive Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This year’s 406 semifinalists were chosen from a pool of over 1,500 applicants attending 398 community colleges in 44 states. She is one of three students named from the state of Alabama.

Ayala, a native of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, moved to Alabama in 2016 during her junior year of high school. Shortly after graduating, she enrolled in Calhoun during the fall of 2018 as a General Studies major. She served as a Calhoun Warhawk Student Ambassador as well as currently active in Phi Theta Kappa.

“I felt as if I had flown over the moon when I received the news that I had been named a semifinalist for this scholarship,” commented Ayala. “It’s an absolute dream come true,” she added. She applied for the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship because she wanted to be part of a community with like-minded students who thrived to better themselves both academically and professionally.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation supports exceptionally talented community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees. Today, nearly half of postsecondary students begin their college journey at a two-year institution. Research commissioned by the Foundation found that community college students who transfer to selective institutions have equal to or higher graduation rates as students who enrolled directly from high school or transferred from four-year institutions. Yet, at the nation’s top colleges, only five percent have transferred from a community college. The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship seeks to increase the number of community college students completing their education at top four-year institutions.

“The research is clear: our community colleges are full of talented students with diverse experiences that contribute to their educational journey. We see this in our applicant pool every year, and are excited to recognize this group of semifinalists for their academic achievements,” said Seppy Basili, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Executive Director. “We

are especially impressed by the incredible perseverance and drive these students have exhibited during such an unprecedented year,” added Basili.

The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipients will be announced in April. In addition to financial support, selected Cooke Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising from the Foundation to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year school and preparing for their careers. Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of over 2,800 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

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 and residing in the United States.

Ayala has been accepted to attend The University of Alabama in Birmingham in the fall of 2021 where she will enroll as an English major.