15 Virginia Students Named JKC Scholarship Semifinalists: Majority from 91³Ô¹Ï

Immediate Release:

March 6, 2025

91³Ô¹Ï_Logo_2c-3.jpg        /about/news/press-releases/2025/20240330-jkc-23-nova.jpg

ANNANDALE, Va. (March 6, 2025) -- The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (JKC) has announced its 2025 semifinalists for the prestigious Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Fifteen students are from Virginia — including nine from 91³Ô¹Ï!

  • This year, 467 semifinalists were chosen from over 1,600 applicants representing 212 community colleges.
  • The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship selection process rigorously evaluates candidates based on:
    • Exceptional academic abilities and achievements
    • Demonstrated financial need
    • Perseverance and leadership skills

91³Ô¹Ï takes pride in all our Nighthawks! We are especially delighted to congratulate our nine semifinalists for the 2025 JKC Foundation:

Malak Abdelaziz – 91³Ô¹Ï
Najem Deban Abou Jaoude – 91³Ô¹Ï
Adriana Garcia – 91³Ô¹Ï
Osman Khalid – 91³Ô¹Ï
Ghezal Kohestani – 91³Ô¹Ï
Erick Machado – 91³Ô¹Ï
Angel Pino Chacon – 91³Ô¹Ï
Siddartha Shakya – 91³Ô¹Ï
Madeleine Zatzkin – 91³Ô¹Ï


In May, the JKC Foundation is expected to name the finalists.

• The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly selective national award for top community college students transferring to four-year institutions.
• The goal is to help students complete their undergraduate degree with minimal debt by offering up to $55,000 per year in last-dollar funding after institutional aid.
• In addition to financial support, scholars receive college planning, advising, and access to a network of fellow scholars.

JKC 2025 full press release:

MEDIA CONTACT: Kathy Parkinson, 91³Ô¹Ï PIO, KParkinson@nvcc.edu

                                                                ###

91³Ô¹Ï 91³Ô¹Ï (91³Ô¹Ï)
91³Ô¹Ï is the largest institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of America's largest community colleges. 91³Ô¹Ï enrolls more than 70,000 students at its six campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield and Woodbridge, and through 91³Ô¹Ï Online. For more information about 91³Ô¹Ï and its programs or services, call 703-323-3000 or visit 91³Ô¹Ï’s website.

Topics: press release