San Diego Community College District

Five students at San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges have been named national semifinalists for prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships that pay up to $40,000 annually for the final two to three years needed to complete a bachelor’s degree program at a four-year college or university.

Named as national semifinalists are:

- Miguel Cacho-Tafolla – San Diego City College
- Tatiana Butte – San Diego City College
- Lucia Huerta – San Diego City College
- Karla Tirado – San Diego Mesa College
- Dania Taki – San Diego Miramar College

The five are among 406 national semifinalists for the highly competitive awards who were chosen from a pool of more than 1,500 applicants at 398 community colleges in 44 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

“The research is clear: our community colleges are full of talented students with a diversity of experiences that contribute to their educational journey. We see this in our applicant pool every year, and are excited to recognize this group of semifinalists for their academic achievements,”  said Seppy Basili, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s executive director. “We are especially impressed by the incredible perseverance and drive these students have exhibited during such an unprecedented year.” 

Transfer scholars are selected on a range of factors including exceptional academic ability and achievement, service, leadership, persistence, and financial need. The select group of Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will be announced in April.

In addition to financial award, Transfer Scholars have access to comprehensive academic guidance and opportunities for internships, study-abroad programs, and graduate school funding.