October 2024
Cooke Alums at a Central Florida Thrive Together event in September 2024.
Compass Feature: Jonathan Finnerty
2015 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar; 2017 Graduate Scholar, University of Tennessee
Jonathan became a Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholar in 2015, and earned his degree in Philosophy from Rutgers University. After becoming a Graduate Scholar, he earned his master's degree in Philosophy from University of Tennessee. Jonathan now works as a professor at his community college alma mater, Middlesex College. In the below video, Jonathan discusses his experience being a Regional Chapter Leader in the Alum community.
You can connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn here.
Compass Feature: Chelsea Hipwell
Check out our latest Cooke Alum Interview featuring Chelsea Hipwell, a 2009 Young Scholar, a 2014 College Scholar from Lehigh University, and a 2021 Graduate Scholar from the University of Pennsylvania. She is currently a research associate at L&M Policy Research, working on qualitative public health research with an emphasis on improving equitable access to healthcare. In the below conversation, Chelsea shares about her journey changing undergraduate majors, studying abroad, and pursuing a Masters in Public Health.
You can connect with Chelsea on LinkedIn here.
Gustavo Diaz Galeas
2017 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, University of Central Florida
Gustavo with former Grindle Honors Institute Director Barbara Greenwell.
During the Foundation for Seminole State College of Florida’s Celebration of Giving event, Gustavo Diaz Galeas was awarded the Honors Alumni Award for his work within the college community. Since 1998, Seminole State College has presented an alum with its Distinguished Alumni Award, which honors graduates who have demonstrated service to the College and/or community, achieved success in their chosen field and are considered a role model for Seminole State students.
Gustavo said, “This award means a great deal to me, as it represents the opportunity I've had to give back to a community that played such a pivotal role in my own academic journey. Being able to share my experiences and support current students has been incredibly fulfilling, and I'm honored to be recognized for simply doing what feels right - contributing to the growth and success of others."
You can connect with Gustavo on LinkedIn here.
Rachel Laryea
2007 Young Scholar; 2012 College Scholar, New York University
On August 24, Rachel Laryea was honored by New York Liberty at the Barclays Center for her entrepreneurial work with her small business. In 2018, Rachel launched Kelewele, which is a food service that creates vegan plantain treats that showcase African and African diasporic culture.
Rachel shared, “Being honored by New York Liberty at The Barclays Center was a full circle moment for me. The moment brought me back to the time that Kelewele was brought on as the FIRST fully vegan business to service the stadium. The entrepreneurial journey has been wild. But it's moments like this that remind you that the seeds you plant, in yourself and your business, will spring up when the time is just right.”
You can connect with Rachel on LinkedIn here.
Alessandro Bailetti-Sáez
2009 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar; 2012 Graduate Scholar, New York University
Since Jan 2023, Alessandro has worked as an adjunct professor at Evergreen Valley College in the biology department. This spring, he was offered a full-time job as a tenure track professor with a focus in Cell Biology.
Alessandro shared his excitement and gratitude, “I have been blessed to have found this amazing group of biologists at EVC who have encouraged me and supported me. I have always been blessed to have worked with amazing professors and mentors from Pensacola State College to Cornell University to NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Stanford University.”
You can connect with Alessandro on LinkedIn here.
Omar Escamilla
2015 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar; 2017 Graduate Scholar, New York University
Last week, Omar was recognized as one of the honorees in NextGen Collective's 30 Under 30 for 2024 for his work as a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Impact Leader. These thirty individuals are trailblazers of change, and are making significant strides to uplift their communities and create a lasting impact. NextGen’s honorees leverage their platforms to advocate for progress, set new standards, and pave the way for future generations.
The collective describes these honorees as individuals who are shaping their industries and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps, fostering a brighter and more inclusive future for all.
Omar shared, “As a child of first-generation immigrant parents, this award means the world to me. When I was young, my parents moved from Mexico to the US to give me and my sister a better life. This move was not easy. My family faced constant, unfair struggles, but the vision and dedication they instilled in me became my motivation to strive to reach my dreams. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most influential nonprofits and corporations to build a more just world for all. This is only the beginning, and I am eager to continue my work and only keep moving the needle forward.”
You can read more about the 30 Under 30 honorees here, and Omar’s feature here.
Introducing Our 25th Anniversary Think Big About Internships Campaign
We are celebrating the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s 25th anniversary with a new era of Cooke Scholar and Alumni community engagement. With the launch of the Alumni-sponsored Think Big About Internships Campaign, we are calling on Alums to give back to the community by connecting Scholars to career-building internships for our anniversary summer 2025 and beyond.
Alums - Whether you are the CEO, a hiring manager, or a staff member shaping the future of your organization, you have wisdom and influence to help Scholars building their careers. You know what it is like to be a Cooke Scholar and may relate as a first-gen professional. Whether you’re able to hire a Cooke Scholar summer intern directly, connecting Scholars to hiring managers in your organization, or reaching out to your network to secure opportunities at other organizations, we would love for you to join this campaign!
Join us this Friday, October 4, at 2:00 p.m. ET for a virtual Alumni Kickoff Event for the campaign where we will talk about the details of how you can get involved and answer any questions you might have.
The Latest Alumni Blog Features
Catchin’ Up With a Cookie: Sakshi Sehgal
Our Catchin’ Up with a Cookie blog features Cooke Alum Sakshi Sehgal, a 2018 College Scholar and 2021 Graduate Scholar at the Medical College of Georgia. In this blog, she shares more about her academic journey, and how she has been inspired by the Cooke community. You can read more about her here.
Aman and Meelod Waheed: The Shared Scholarship Experience of Two Brothers
In this blog, brothers Aman and Meelod share their experiences of receiving the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship a few years apart and how it shaped their educational and career journeys. The brothers also reflect on how being part of a close-knit scholar community strengthened their bond and allowed them to support each other in unique ways. Through their shared journey, they offer insights and advice for other siblings navigating similar paths, highlighting the importance of embracing the opportunity, learning from one another, and making the most of the scholar network. Read the blog here.
Last Chance! Register for Cooke Connections: NYC from October 10-11
As part of our Cooke Connections: New York City visit, the Cooke Foundation will host a Career Pathways Chat with Cooke Alums and Scholars preceded and followed by a mix-and-mingle community-building event on Friday, October 11.
Jennifer Krasilovsky, our Dean of Career Services, will be moderating a 45-minute panel discussion on the topic of Biotechnology and Bioethics. Panelists will include Cooke Alums Selena Zhang, a Biotechnology Equity Research Associate at Morgan Stanley, and Aurela Dragani, who focuses on Product Implementation at 91Life.
Depending on their educational and career interests, Scholars may also choose to attend a company tour or job field discussion. Company tours include Microsoft, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Durst Organization, and Amazon.
You can learn more about the opportunities offered and register below.
Cooke Alum Ferdinando J. Castro Gonzalez during a CORP presentation for Phi Theta Kappa students.
New CORP Materials for Outreach Presentations!
We’re excited to share that for any Scholars and Alums interested in the Cooke Outreach Representative Program (CORP), we’ve updated our flyers with the 2025 Academic Year scholarship deadlines. This is the perfect opportunity for folks to spread the word about the scholarship opportunities available through the Foundation. By participating in CORP, you’ll play a key role in helping high-achieving students access our educational support. Join us in spreading the word!
To access the updated flyers, click here and scroll down to the presentations and downloads section.
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.
Philadelphia Cooke Scholars and Alums at a back-to-school Thrive Together event in September 2024.