June 2024
Cooke Alums at a Houston Thrive Together Meetup in May 2024.
Compass Feature: Sarah Schwab
2018 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, 2023 Graduate Scholar, University of California San Diego
Sarah became a Cooke Scholar in 2018, and studied both Biochemistry and Chemistry as a Transfer Scholar at UC San Diego. After earning her bachelor's degree, Sarah has now returned to UC San Diego as a Graduate Scholar, where she is pursuing her medical degree. In the below video, Sarah shares how her experience working in an emergency room and also as a lifeguard helped shape her career passions.
You can connect with Sarah on LinkedIn here.
Compass Feature: Sam Park
Watch our latest interview with recent Alum Sam Park, or SPark, a 2015 Young Scholar, a 2020 College Scholar, and a 2024 Graduate Scholar. They're an activist, artist, and scholar who recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Political Science and Contemporary European Studies. Sam is currently enrolled in the Transatlantic Masters Programme at UNC Chapel Hill, a dual-degree program, which will result in two MA degrees in Political Science with a concentration on the Comparative Climate Change Policy track.
You can check out SPark’s website and portfolio here.
Melissa Osborne
2010 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, 2013 Graduate Scholar, University of Chicago
Melissa’s book, Polished: College, Class, and the Burdens of Social Mobility, was recently published from The University of Chicago Press. Their book is an ethnography that draws on in-depth interviews with one hundred and fifty first-generation and low-income students across eighteen elite institutions. Polished uncovers the hidden consequences of the promise of social mobility in today’s educational landscape. Melissa reveals how the very support designed to propel first-generation students forward can unexpectedly reshape their identities, often putting them at odds with their peers and families. Without direct institutional support, this emotional journey can lead to alienation, mental health challenges, poor academic outcomes, and difficult choices between upward mobility or maintaining authenticity and community.
Melissa shared, “As a first-gen and first time author I am excited for the publication of this book and hope it will help shed light on the deep impacts of social mobility. More than anything I am excited for fellow Scholars and first-gen students to read the book and hope that it resonates with their experiences."
You can connect with Melissa on LinkedIn here.
Joscelyn Garcia
2007 Young Scholar, 2012 College Scholar, 2019 Graduate Scholar, Princeton University
Joscelyn just celebrated one year as a special assistant for the division of Unaccompanied Children policy in the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is part of the Administration of Children and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services.
On this role, Joscelyn said, “One of the aspects I enjoy the most about ORR (the Office of Refugee Resettlement) is how passionate and committed my colleagues are to the mission. There is a group effort in striving for the best for the well-being of children and families. I consider my self lucky to work in such a collaborative and innovative environment with amazing, down to earth colleagues.”*
*Please note these are views shared by Joscelyn in her personal capacity.
You can connect with Joscelyn on LinkedIn here.
Katie McKeown
2010 Young Scholar, 2015 College Scholar, 2019 Graduate Scholar, University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
Dr. Katie McKeown just completed her PhD in Mathematics from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Her dissertation was titled, Academic Resources and Precalculus Students: Knowledge and Use of Tutoring Services, Skill Sessions, and Academic Coaching.
“The process of studying for and passing (after multiple attempts) qualifying exams as well as preparing for and completing my dissertation is something I know I will never be able to fully describe in words,” said Katie. “There were highs, but it felt like mostly lows, at the time. It was unlike anything I could have expected, in all ways, as a first-generation college student. I am beyond grateful to have had the support system I did throughout the process as well as for my belief in myself; having this PhD in Mathematics, I know, will open up a world of opportunities to me that I never could have imagined.”
You can connect with Katie on LinkedIn here.
The Latest Alumni Blog Features
Cooke Career Snapshots: Systems Engineering with Gustavo Diaz Galeas
Gustavo Diaz Galeas, an Embedded Systems Engineer at Connected Wise, has been instrumental in developing innovative transportation engineering solutions since 2022. With Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Computer Engineering, specializing in computer systems and security, Gustavo shares more about his career journey and what a typical day looks like in his role. Read the blog here.
Alumni Class Notes - June 2024
Welcome to the Alumni Class Notes section, where we celebrate the latest news and milestones of our alums and their families.
Cooke Alum Caroline Merrifield, a 2001 Young Scholar and 2006 College Scholar, and her husband Raghav welcomed their new baby, Indra, to the world in February.
Caroline shared, “Our big kid, Ila, has been a very enthusiastic helper. I'll be taking a break from teaching for the next semester or so to stay home with the baby and focus on writing.”
Congratulations to Caroline and her family!
To share your Alum Class Notes, email Alumni Engagement Manager Gabby Nicholas, or follow the link at the bottom of the page.
Upcoming Events
Public Speaking 3-Part Series
Are you interested in cultivating your public speaking skills? Stay tuned for our final Public Speaking Workshop Part 3, which will be held at a later date and led by Cooke Alum Ousmane Kabré.
In case you missed it, check out Compass for a recording of Public Speaking Workshop Part 1, which was held on February 21 and led by Cooke Alum Bérénice Sylverain, and Public Speaking Workshop Part 2, which was held on April 18 and led by Cooke Alum Kevin Bernal-Rivera.
Do you want to share your work in our “Cooke Career Snapshots” blog?
We are looking for folks who would be interested in writing a blog about their current careers for CookeAlumni.org. The purpose of these blogs is to introduce our Scholars and Alums to as many career paths as possible, from the perspective of fellow Cooke Alums who are leaders in the field. Our first blog was written by Scott Pine, a 2013 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar from UCLA, and can be viewed here.
If you’re interested in writing a blog, please send a message to alumni@jkcf.org.
Connect with other Cooke Scholars and Alums in our private LinkedIn Group
Are you a member of the private LinkedIn Group “Cooke Scholars & Alumni”? Join our group to expand your network and discover professional opportunities. Together, we foster a vibrant community where we exchange insights, support each other's endeavors, and unearth exciting professional prospects. Request to join the group here.
We want to hear from you!
Have you recently changed jobs? Did you have your research published this year? Is your family growing? We would love to hear your personal, professional, and academic updates! Feel free to submit your news below or email Alumni Engagement Manager Gabby Nicholas.
The Dallas Regional Chapter in May 2024.