Christian Donaldson, Associate in Science student at A-B Tech, has been selected as a semifinalist for The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation prestigious community college transfer scholarship.
Through the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the Foundation supports high-achieving community college students as they transfer to some of the top four-year institutions in the country to complete their bachelor’s degrees. Donaldson will graduate from A-B Tech in May and will transfer to UNC Asheville for the NC State joint degree program in mechatronics engineering.
Donaldson was also a recipient of the competitive 2018-19 Community College STEM Scholarship and received the i3 S-STEM Scholarship, which is awarded each semester to academically talented students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). She attended the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) Onsite Experience at Kennedy Space Center, which gives community college STEM students an authentic NASA experience and encourages them to finish a two-year degree or transfer to a four-year university to pursue a NASA-related field or career.
This year’s semifinalists were chosen from a pool of nearly 1,500 applicants attending 311 community colleges in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Only six students were chosen from North Carolina.
“Year after year, we are impressed by the incredible talent and resolve of community college students,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “We are proud to recognize this outstanding group of semifinalists for their academic achievement.”
The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipients will be announced in April. Each selected scholar will receive financial support for up to three years, comprehensive educational advising, and the chance to connect with fellow Cooke Scholars.
Cooke Transfer Scholars are selected based on exceptional academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, service to others, and leadership. Students must be currently enrolled or recently graduated community college students residing in the United States.