Seven BMCC Students—More Than any Other CUNY College—Named Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Semifinalists

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced that seven Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) students—more than any other CUNY college— are semifinalists for its highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

Through this award, the Foundation supports high-achieving community college students with financial need seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at select four-year institutions. This year’s 440 semifinalists from were chosen from a pool of more than 1,200 applicants from 180 community colleges in 35 states.

The seven BMCC students—Khaldoun Albou Tay, Valentina Gomez Acacio, Danny Blakeman, Rajvinder Kaur, Yiyang Sun, Shauna-Kay Thomas and Karolina Wiesiolek—will find out in May who has been selected for the transfer scholarship which awards up to $55,000 annually for up to three years to complete a bachelor’s degree.

“The Jack Kent Cooke scholarship is the highest scholarship in the United States for community college students,” said Sussie Gyamfi, Coordinator, BMCC office of Scholarships, Awards and Other Opportunities. “This is the one scholarship that all students can apply for, regardless of academic major or immigration status. Students are selected based on their academic abilities, financial needs, service to the community and to others, leadership, and their persistence.”

Six of the BMCC semi-finalists shared a bit more about their goals and aspirations.

Valentina Gomez: Aspiring medical practitioner

Valentina Gomez is a science major whose favorite class at BMCC was medical terminology.

“This class allowed me to develop a strong foundation in the language of medicine as I work towards my goal of becoming a medical practitioner,” said Gomez. “From the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, I hope to further my higher education at a major research institution, share my Colombian culture with others and support fellow students in pursuit of their own dreams.

In five to ten years, she sees herself either finishing medical school or providing healthcare and engaging in neurological research.

Shauna-Kay Thomas: Envisions a career in health care

Shauna Kay Thomas is a Health Information and Technology major who moved to New York City from Jamaica.

“Growing up, every aspect of my life was a challenge, most especially finishing school,” said Thomas. “I started so many schools but was never able to finish dues to lack of financial resources, but I never gave up. I always kept trying and my persistence and determination is finally paying off. For the first time in my life, I will be graduating college, and this is only the beginning.”

In addition to the scholarship, Thomas hopes to make connections with other scholars and establish a support network for the duration of her academic career.

“I am hoping to transfer to a New York University to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management,” said Thomas. “Over the next few years I will complete my bachelor’s as well as my Master’s degree in Health Information Management (HIM). I want to develop the necessary skills to lead a HIM department and eventually run my own hospital back home in Jamaica.”

Rajvinder Kaur: Applying to Ivy League schools

Science major, and current BMCC Student Government Association President, Rajvinder Kaur moved to the United States from India in March 2020.

“Currently, I am applying to Ivy League schools such as Columbia, Yale and others to study neuroscience or physics,” said Kaur. “Through the Jack Kent Cooke program, I want to meet more people and connect with them to learn and gain insight into their lives. This program is also going to help me financially with my tuition.”

Kaur’s favorite class at BMCC has been a guitar class (Music), in part, because it helps de-stress.

“After five years, I see myself at an Ivy league institution completing a higher degree in neuroscience and running around that campus with a heavy bag, a big smile, and probably worrying about the next step,” said Kaur.

Danny Blakeman: Will bring counseling to underserved communities

Thirty-two-year-old Danny Blakeman, a Psychology major, grew up in Portland, Oregon then moved to Montreal before coming to New York City six years ago. Danny’s favorite class at BMCC was Social Psychology.

“I am interested in investigating social contexts that influence human behavior and developing advocacy strategies for underprivileged groups within this framework,” said Blakeman. “I hope to receive ongoing academic advisement from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation as well financial support to finish my undergraduate degree. I have applied to New York University Steinhardt where I plan to continue studying psychology to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied psychology and counseling.”

Danny says those academic achievements would allow them to fulfill their aspirations in clinical psychotherapy.

“My goal is to work with marginalized communities who have been systematically denied access to necessary mental health care, with particular attention to fellow members of the LGBTQ community,” said Blakeman.

Karolina Wiesiolek: Accepted to Columbia University

Biotechnology major Karolina Wiesiolek moved to New York City from Poland and says she enjoyed her Biotechnology courses the most.

“Learning about techniques and experiments conducted in the laboratory are very interesting,” said Wiesiolek.

She says she learned about the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship during an information session organized by BMCC Scholarship and Special Services Coordinator Sussie Gyamfi. “The part of the Jack Kent Cooke Scholar that excites me most is the strong sense of community support and the chance to attend a prestigious institution without the financial burden.

Wiesiolek was accepted to Columbia University on March 1 where she plans to proudly represent BMCC and gain necessary education to become a successful scientist.

Yiyang Sun: Will educate people about taxes

Business Administration major Yiyang Sun moved to New York City from China and has loved all her BMCC classes, she said.

“The professors at BMCC have broadened my horizon,” said Sun, who plans to transfer to Baruch College (CUNY). “I am looking forward to being a part of the Jack Kent Cooke program and inspire more of my peers to join me by attending activities and volunteering and making progress together.

In the future, she hopes to share her skills in Accounting and educate people about taxes and community.

“I am a brave dream chaser,” said Sun “Starting from BMCC and going anywhere!”