The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation recently named five students at Northeast Texas Community College as semi-finalists for their highly competitive and elite Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Alicia Cantrell, Brenda Godoy, Rachel Jordan, Adriana Rodriquez and Cassidy Watkins were included in the list.
Their applications were among more than 2,800 submitted by students across the nation. Only 20 percent of applicants made it to semifinalist status. Jack Kent Cooke winners, who receive scholarships of $40,000 per year for up to three years, will be announced in April.
This is the first time NTCC has had this many students named as semi-finalists. According to Dr. Melissa Fulgham, lead advisor for the Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and Honors Professor, it is a testament to the high quality of applicants NTCC fielded this year. All five have taken advantage of the many opportunities NTCC has to offer, as well as the strong mentorship from faculty available at the community college level. As a community college, NTCC provides ways for students to become actively engaged at the local, regional, and national levels early in their college careers. Opportunities only available to upperclassman at major universities can be available to freshman and sophomores at the smaller, more student-friendly setting of a community college.
?The quality of applicants NTCC fields, resulting in multiple semi-finalists and one or two winners nearly every year, reflects the strong support system at Northeast that allows students to flourish and develop their unique talents. High quality faculty coupled with unique opportunities create a rare setting,? Fulgham said. ?I am incredibly delighted for these five individuals to be recognized for their hard work and talent; I am even more honored and delighted to work with the amazing students that come to NTCC.?
Cantrell plans to pursue a law degree to help the disadvantaged, becoming the voice for those without a voice, and ultimately enter politics. She currently serves as President for the Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at NTCC, President of the Honors Student Council, and President of the newly formed Speech and Debate Club at NTCC. Her research paper on Barbara Jordan and Anne Richards will be in the upcoming issue of†Touchstone. She is one of two undergraduate students in the state of Texas asked to speak before the professional members of the Texas State Historical Association at the annual meeting coming up in San Marcos in March 2018. Named a 2017 Coca-Cola Leader of Promise, Cantrell has received the Wesson Award and the Walter B. Cooper Scholarship as well as being a Presidential Honors Scholar at NTCC.
Godoy plans to become a pediatrician, tending to the medical needs of children as well as volunteering in areas where medical experts are scarce. She currently serves as President of the Bio-Chem Pre-Professional Society and Vice-President of Service for Phi Theta Kappa. Godoy presented her work on leadership during the Texas Revolution at the East Texas Historical Association. She is also a biology lab assistant and the biology/chemistry supplemental instructor. The former Mount Pleasant High School salutatorian, Godoy was named the Dr. Mary Hood Texas Star Scholar for the state of Texas as well as being a Presidential Honors Scholar at NTCC.
Jordan plans to pursue a degree in psychology, with a special emphasis on helping those impacted by sexual abuse. Vice-President of Membership for the Phi Theta Kappa chapter, she also currently serves as the Student Representative on the Great Plain Honors Council (GPHC), a consortium of colleges and universities with Honors Programs from Nebraska to Texas. Jordan?s work on the unique aspects of Texas artists in the early and mid-twentieth century, entitled†Against the Grain, won a Caldwell Award for undergraduate research. Her essay will appear in the upcoming issue of†Touchstone. Named a 2017 Coca-Cola Leader of Promise, Jordan also won a Texas Star Scholarship and is a Presidential Honors Scholar at NTCC.
"After having doubted my abilities to succeed at college, becoming a semi-finalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship was a true honor. It is extremely encouraging to know that I could be accepted for a scholarship of this degree," Jordan said.†
Rodriquez is pursuing a degree in the field of biomedical sciences. Rodriquez was a finalist for ?Student of the Year? with the National Collegiate Honors Council.† Rodriquez has presented her work on Texas factions, and the 1850 Compromise at meetings of the Webb Historical Society, the Great Plains Honors Council and the National Collegiate Honors Council. She is a Presidential Honors Scholar at NTCC.
Watkins seeks a career of service to others and is one of the founders of Faith Farms, a source for beautiful flowers. She currently serves as the Chapter Vice-President for the Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Watkins has presented research at the Great Plains Honors Council and the National Collegiate Honors Council. Named a 2017 Coca-Cola Leader of Promise, Watkins also received the Chitsey Award and is a Presidential Honors Scholar at NTCC.
?Last summer in Fort Worth, it was exhilarating to see the five who are now our semi-finalists working together on a film, and beating a tough deadline with 61 scenes. They are a highly dependable, amiable group,? Dr. Andrew Yox, Honors Director, said.†?Thus, we are thankful too for the way our college donors and administrators are helping to promote learning communities of the highest order.?
NTCC has had seven Jack Kent Cooke Scholars since 2010. Angelica Fuentes, Jessica Velazquez, Kayleah Cumpian, Stephen Milburn, Matthew Jordan, Stephanie Calderon and Clara Ramirez all earned the scholarship in past years.
