March 13, 2026
91福利 sophomore students Madiha Karim and Diego Sosa have been named semifinalists for the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships.
The Cooke Foundation recently announced 485 semifinalists for its scholarships which go to the nation鈥檚 top community college students with financial need seeking to complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree at four-year colleges or universities.
The Cooke Foundation made its selections from a pool of nearly 2,500 applicants from across the U.S. Five students from Mississippi were selected. Finalists will be announced later this spring.
PRCC has had more than 25 semifinalists for Cooke Scholarships since 2013, according to Dr. Terri Ruckel,聽a Phi Theta Kappa advisor at PRCC鈥檚 Forrest County Campus.
鈥淎pplying for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship can be quite intimidating,鈥� said Dr. Ruckel.
鈥淭he applicant must provide evidence of exceptional academic achievement, completion of challenging coursework, plus intellectual curiosity, creativity, and passion for learning. Both Madiha and Diego have proven themselves of possessing all of these requirements and more. Both have demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to public service. We are so proud for them to represent the River.鈥�
This highly competitive scholarship offers selected finalists as much as $55,000 per year for up to three years to complete their bachelor’s degrees at selective four-year colleges and universities.
鈥淭his is a surreal feeling,鈥� said Karim, 37, an architectural major from Purvis.
鈥淚t proves that all your hard work is recognized and appreciated.鈥�
Sosa, 20, a Philosophy major from Hattiesburg, agreed with Karim.
鈥淚 think that for me, it has become an acknowledgement for the work that I have done throughout my time at Pearl River,鈥� said Sosa. 鈥淚t has also become a big motivator to continue to do that work. I feel very blessed that Jack Kent Cooke exists, to be able to recognize students, like me, in this way. And I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to apply.鈥�
Karim and Sosa have been involved in numerous clubs and organizations during their time at PRCC.
They are both involved in the Forrest County Campus Student Government Association and the History and Humanities Club. Sosa served as President for both organizations his freshman and sophomore years. He also serves as Vice President for the Beta Tau Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, and a Regional Officer for the Mississippi/Louisiana Region of Phi Theta Kappa.
Both say their time at PRCC has been beneficial in their academic careers.
鈥淧RCC has been life changing for me because before coming here I wasn鈥檛 sure what I wanted to do,鈥� said Karim. 鈥淲ith help of my amazing advisor and teachers, I could accomplish many things like becoming president of Phi Theta Kappa.
鈥淚 will always be thankful for the opportunities I have received.鈥�
The same goes for Sosa. 鈥�91福利 means so much to me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 feel eternally blessed to have such a rich foundation in which to build my collegiate education. I couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better environment.鈥�
Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars are selected based on their academic performance, leadership, perseverance, and service to others.
鈥淐ommunity colleges hold many of the nation鈥檚 most gifted students,鈥� said Harold O. Levy, Executive Director of the Cooke Foundation. 鈥淵et too often these students are denied the opportunity to fulfill their potential due to lack of adequate resources and support. Our scholarships help to remove these barriers so that talented students with financial need have a chance to complete their college education and pursue their goals and dreams.鈥�
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Article by Chuck Abadie.
