December 2023
DC Thrive Together Meet up for Mr. Cooke’s Birthday
Compass Feature: Nasra Nimaga
2008 Transfer Scholar and 2010 Graduate Scholar, Princeton University
Nasra became a Cooke Scholar in 2008, and studied Architecture as a Transfer Scholar at UCLA. She then went on to Princeton University as a Graduate Scholar, where she earned her Master of Arts in Architecture. In addition to being an amazing portrait photographer, Nasra currently works as a Senior Associate Design Architect at Perkins Eastman. In the below video, Nasra talks about her career journey as an architect.
To connect with Nasra on LinkedIn, click here.
Compass Feature: Callistus Ditah
Watch the latest installment in our Cooke Alum interviews featuring Callistus Ditah, a 2009 Transfer Scholar and 2011 Graduate Scholar, who currently works as a Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellow at the University of Washington- Seattle. In the below interview, Callistus shares about his journey from Cameroon to the University of Minnesota, and how he became interested in his current career as a cardiac surgeon.
You can connect with Callistus on LinkedIn here.
Stacey Arnold
2006 Graduate Scholar, University of Chicago
Stacey recently accepted the role of Assistant Dean of Student Services at Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering. In this role at the Luddy School, Stacey oversees strategic initiatives and planning in the administration of undergraduate and master's admissions and student affairs including recruitment, admissions, academic advising, career services, retention, experiential learning opportunities and initiatives and recording/record keeping services for prospective and current students.
Stacey shared how her background and academic journey impacts her approach with students, “Working in student services leadership in higher education is a dream come true! Education changed my life and I feel blessed to now be able to help students achieve their educational goals and dreams! Coming from a single parent, low income home makes this even more special. I share my background with my students often so they know that they can do anything that they set their mind to.”
To connect with Stacey on LinkedIn, click here.
Isa Adney
2007 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, 2010 Graduate Scholar, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Isa just published her book The Little Book of Big Dreams: True Stories About People who Followed a Spark, “I wrote this book for dreamers in dark times, and my hope is that people see their own story reflected in the collection of true stories of dreams come true, and that from them they feel less alone when it comes to going for their own big dreams.”
When asked about the writing process, Isa shared, “I'll be honest, [it] was punishing. It took nine years, but most of that wasn't because of the writing, but figuring out the right structure. The structure I envisioned when I started the project wasn't what ended up being right for the book. It was a struggle, but in the end I'm glad I kept going and I'm glad it took nine years, because I am so proud of how it turned out and the book that exists truly couldn't have existed in its current form even one day earlier.”
Isa credits the transfer scholarship and her first Scholars Weekend as one of the first experiences in her life that gave her the courage and encouragement to dream big, “I don't know if I would have ever conceived of this book idea had I not learned what I did from being a part of the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship community or had the opportunity to experience such a life-changing dream come true through the scholarship. I am so very grateful.”
You can visit Isa’s website here.
Norris Guncheon
2005 Young Scholar, 2010 College Scholar, 2017 Graduate Scholar, Columbia University
Film Producer and Editor Norris Guncheon premiered his film GLUE TRAP earlier this year at the Dances with Film Festival.
The film GLUE TRAP is a “cabin in the woods horror/cringe comedy/thriller/relationship drama/love story—the classic genre,” and it was shot over 14 days with a small cast and crew in western Virginia. Filming the movie was extra special for Norris because it was shot and screened in his home state, “The director, Justin Geldzahler, and I met in high school in Richmond, and so Richmond is an incredibly special place for both of us. Some of our teachers even came out for the premiere at the Richmond International Film Festival.”
For Norris, the best part of the process was the collaboration, “This was the first feature film that my business partner, Chris Fox, and I have produced. Justin brought me on board in 2020, when we were walking around outside and far away from each other in a park in Richmond—to then see a crew working hours each day to construct that vision—it was really special. And then on top of that, to have an incredibly talented post team polishing up my work as the editor and pushing the movie into the sensory experience it needed to be. Anyone would be lucky to experience that.”
As for next steps with the film, Norris shared, “We’re still talking to distributors now, but we hope to have the movie available to watch either in theaters or streaming by next year! Our next screening is at the Vail Film Festival on December 9th.”
You can visit his website here.
The Latest from the CookeAlumni.org Blog
Our December Catchin’ Up with a Cookie blog post features Cooke Alum Muaz Abrar, a 2016 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar and 2019 Graduate Scholar at Southern Methodist University. You can read more about him here.
Cooke Connections: Boston Recap and Panel
We had a wonderful time at Cooke Connections: Boston earlier this month. Scholars and Alums in the Boston area participated in the Networking Reception and the Professional Development Lunch and Company Tour at Great Hill Partners! The conversation, engagement, and community-building were so energizing and we are grateful to the Scholars and Alums who were a part of our inaugural Cooke Connections event.
Watch the panel recording above, and check out our recap video here. If you’re based in the Bay Area in California, stay tuned for invitations to Cooke Connections: Northern California in April. If you need to update your contact information to ensure you receive event communication, click here.
Apply for the Graduate Scholarship
The Graduate Scholarship is awarded to outstanding Cooke Scholars and recent Alums to support them to complete graduate degrees at top institutions. Find details on the Graduate Scholarship webpage and info sheet and find example responses to application questions on the Grad Scholar Portal. If you have more questions or would like support on your application, email gradscholars@jkcf.org.
Applications for the Graduate Scholarship are due January 10, 2024.
Cooke Alumni Mentoring Program (CAMP) Opening Soon
The Foundation is excited to share that the Cooke Alumni Mentoring Program (CAMP), aimed at connecting Alumni and current Cooke Scholars with similar academic or professional interests, will be opening soon for the 2024 academic year. We will be recruiting Cooke Alums 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 Alum mentor can offer unique perspectives, widen networks, increase self-confidence, and provide invaluable support to help the mentee meet their goals.
The CAMP mentor application will open in January 2024.
Quinn & Belcher Applications Opening Soon
Our awards for current Cooke Scholars and Alums will be opening on Thursday, January 4th. To read more about the eligibility and application process for the Matthew J. Quinn Prize and the Undergraduate Scholar Award in Honor of Dennis I. Belcher, click here. 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 learn more about previous recipients, check out our videos on 2023 Quinn Prize Recipient Ousmane Kabré and 2023 Belcher Prize Recipient Francesca Raoelison.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, January 4th when the applications open. Applications will be due Friday, March 1st. Please email alumni@jkcf.org if you have any questions.
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: Cooke Connections: Boston in November 2023