February 2023
Cooke Alums in San Francisco for the 2016 Alumni Summit
Compass Feature: Tashrima Hossain
2010 Young Scholar, College Scholar, Graduate Scholar, Harvard University
Tashrima studied International Relations and Spanish as a College Scholar at Stanford University. After working at J.P. Morgan and Meta, she has now returned to school as a Graduate Scholar to earn her law degree at Harvard. In her video below, Tashrima shares how she balances pragmatism with her passions.
Check out more of Tashrima’s videos here.
Raymund Flandez
2002 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, University of Maryland
Raymund Flandez (he/him) has started a new position as Senior Communications Officer at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. He has worked for the nonprofit institution for the past eight years, after working as a journalist for the Chronicle of Philanthropy and The Wall Street Journal.
When asked what he is most excited for in this new role, Raymund shared the following: “Since this year will be the museum's 30th anniversary, it's an exciting time to be part of a celebration, to recognize the many ways we've been able to teach people here and around the world about this dark part of our human history and its lessons for us today. The Holocaust survivors who volunteer at the museum inspire me the most; sadly, we are losing them year by year. Their voices have been so needed amid the rise of antisemitism and Holocaust denial that we see currently. Before they're all gone, it's up to us to tell others why we must never forget."
To connect with Raymund and learn more about his academic and professional journey, click here.
Kristina Weaver
2006 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, 2009 Graduate Scholar, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
Kristina and her family recently welcomed their new son home! They brought home 8-year-old Ivan from Bulgaria on December 21, 2022, and the family is working hard to help their new son transition to family life.
Additionally, Kristina had an incredible experience in Bulgaria with fellow Cooke Alum Rositsa Atanasova (2008 Graduate Scholar). When Kristina visited in December 2022 to pick up Ivan, Rositsa provided an immense amount of support. In Kristina’s words, “To know her is to love her, and I don't know what I would've done without her support during a very challenging pick up trip. She absolutely exemplified what it means to be a part of this community. I can't think about her generosity without tears of gratitude. Being a Cooke Scholar is about more than just career-related achievements and awards. It's about doing good without the expectation of reward or accolades. I'll never forget her kindness.”
To connect with Kristina and learn more about his academic and professional journey, click here.
Beatrice Hociota
2015 College Scholar, 2021 Graduate Scholar, Cornell University
Beatrice recently started a new position as a People Team Development Associate at UnitedHealth Group.
She is excited to be in a rotational program where she can gain experience in several areas of the human relations field. Beatrice is also thrilled to work for a company that holds compassion and relationships as two of its most important values, and that she gets to work with individuals who value making an impact through healthcare.
To connect with Beatrice and learn more about her academic and professional journey, click here.
Deeneaus Polk
2008 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, 2016 Graduate Scholar, Harvard University
Deeneaus recently announced the creation of 3LEVATE, an interdisciplinary group focused on rural issues that especially impact Black communities. “The 3 tells the story of the levers that are used to effect lasting change. We work throughout the Southeast, but we’re abroad too. We leverage over 20 years of global perspective and experience in undertaking impactful projects with international governments, foundations, and business.” We will feature more information about the interdisciplinary group in an upcoming Buzz.
To connect with Deeneaus and learn more about his academic and professional journey, click here.
Jessica Lipschultz Westhoff
2002 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, 2005 Graduate Scholar, Stanford University
Jessica recently accepted a position as the Education Specialist for the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights in Boise, ID.
She shared, “Joining the team at the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights will allow me to continue the work I engaged in as a classroom teacher to create inclusive and joyful spaces for people to share their stories, learn together, and engage in the challenging work of building community. I am energized by the opportunity to collaboratively design and facilitate educational programming. Through these programs I look forward to supporting students and teachers to promote and protect human rights.”
To connect with Jessica and learn more about her academic and professional journey, click here.
The Latest from the CookeAlumni.org Blog
Upcoming Alumni Events
Submit Internship Opportunities
Is your business hiring? We are looking for Alums to share internship opportunities at their places of employment.
Please fill out this form so we can share these opportunities with current Cooke Scholars.
Register for the Cooke Alumni Mentoring Program (CAMP)
Deadline: February 15, 2023
The Foundation is excited to announce the new Cooke Alumni Mentoring Program (CAMP), aimed at connecting Alumni and current Cooke Scholars with similar academic or professional interests. We are recruiting Cooke Alumni and Cooke Graduate Scholars for this exciting and engaging mentorship opportunity.
CAMP mentors will meet two times with their mentees during the spring (virtually or in-person) to help establish a supportive and meaningful relationship that guides mentees along their academic and professional journeys. An Alumni mentor can offer unique perspectives, widen networks, increase self-confidence, and provide invaluable support to help the mentee meet their goals.
What a wonderful way to share your experience and give back! To learn more and to sign-up for this exciting opportunity, complete this mentor registration form no later than February 15, 2023.
Mindfulness BINGO Challenge
Deadline: Tuesday, February 28th
Click the photo above to download a copy of the BINGO sheet.
This is the final month to participate in the Cooke Alumni 2023 BINGO Challenge.
Download a digital copy of the BINGO sheet, or print out a paper copy to fill out. You may choose one square or more per day and write in the day that you complete the activity.
If you post your activities on social media, you can use the hashtag #CareForYourselfJKCF.
Any BINGO sheet with 15 or more completed squares must be emailed to thrive@jkcf.org and then your entry can be submitted for Thrive Together points here.
Apply for the 2023 Quinn & Belcher Prizes
The Foundation is accepting applications for the Quinn Prize and the Belcher Prize. Recipients will be chosen based on extraordinary achievement in an academic field, the arts, or public service. Such achievements might include the development of an innovative solution to a societal problem, creation of a significant community program, or publication of an important work. To read about previous recipients, check out our blog feature on 2022 Quinn Prize Recipient Thomas Thekkekandam and 2022 Belcher Prize Recipient Denisse Cordova Carrizales.
The deadline to apply is Friday, March 3, 2023.
Learn more information about the Quinn & Belcher Prizes and apply here.
Applications Open for Scholars Weekend 2023
We are now accepting applications for 80 Alums to join us for Scholars Weekend 2023, which will be hosted at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, VA from Thursday, August 3rd to Sunday, August 6th.
We are looking for a diverse group of Alums to provide guidance, networking opportunities, and advice to Scholars to navigate their college and career journeys.
Please use this link if you’re interested in applying to participate in this year’s event. Please note, filling out this application does not guarantee a spot at Scholars Weekend. Applications are due Friday, February 10th. We will share participation decisions with all applicants by early March.
Have you joined the Cooke Scholars and Alums Private LinkedIn Group?
Learn about upcoming events, gain access to internship and fellowship opportunities, and connect with fellow Cooke Scholars and Alums.
Share an update with us!
Alums, do you want to be featured in an upcoming Alumni Buzz? Do you have an academic, professional, or personal update to share? We would love to hear it!
Throwback Photo: Young Scholars on a college tour at Georgetown University