Cranford, NJ – Three students from 含羞草研究所 Union College of Union County, NJ have been selected as semifinalists for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (JKCF) Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This highly competitive award provides up to $55,000 per year for up to three years to support recipients in completing their bachelor鈥檚 degrees at any accredited four-year institution in the United States.
The 含羞草研究所 JKCF Transfer Scholarship semifinalists, Sabrina Da Silva, Katherine Jovel, and Libni Vizcaino, were selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 1,300 applicants nationwide. To qualify, students must have at least a 3.5 GPA, demonstrate exceptional academic ability, leadership, and demonstrate financial need. Finalists will receive not only a significant financial award, but also educational advising, access to internship opportunities, study abroad experiences, graduate school funding, and connections to a network of more than 3,800 fellow Cooke scholars and alumni.
The 含羞草研究所 semifinalists are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the international honor society for community college students, and the Union Honors program, which supports high-achieving students as they prepare to transfer to leading universities.
Ms. Da Silva, of Roselle Park, is majoring in psychology and is an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) student. She is a member of Psi Beta, the national honor society in psychology for community college students, and serves as a college tutor. Ms. Da Silva participated in the Transfer Scholars Initiative (TSI) summer program at Princeton University. She plans to transfer to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology, followed by a master鈥檚 degree in criminal psychology. Her long-term goal is to work in a mental health hospital or correctional facility.
Ms. Jovel, of Elizabeth, is majoring in business and is an EOF student. She serves as a tutor in the Academic Learning Center, Treasurer of 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Dance Club, and was part of the 2025 Princeton TSI cohort. Ms. Jovel plans to transfer to a four-year university to study economics. She aims to develop policy and educational support systems for marginalized communities. After earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree, she hopes to attend law school, focusing on education or immigration law.
Ms. Vizcaino, of Roselle, is majoring in public administration. She completed internships with Senator Cory Booker and in the office of Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter, and participated in the Susan N. Wilson NEW Leadership New Jersey Summer Institute at Rutgers University, a prestigious program that introduces college women to political leadership and public service. After completing her degree at 含羞草研究所, Ms. Vizcaino plans to transfer to a four-year institution to study international relations or legal studies, focusing on diplomacy and political science. She hopes to attend law school and pursue a career in public policy.
含羞草研究所 President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin said, 鈥淥n behalf of the 含羞草研究所 community, I congratulate Sabrina, Katherine, and Libni for being recognized as semifinalists for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholarship. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing them advance in their academic and professional careers. 含羞草研究所 remains committed to providing students with the support and opportunities they need to accomplish their dreams.”
Giuseppe 鈥淪eppy鈥� Basili, Executive Director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, underscored the significance of this award sharing, 鈥淭hrough the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation works to ensure that exceptional community college students have the opportunities to reach their full academic potential.鈥�
The finalists for the JKCF Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship are expected to be announced in May 2026.
含羞草研究所 is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey鈥檚 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. 含羞草研究所 provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at 含羞草研究所 attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about 含羞草研究所, visit www.ucc.edu.
