Three NOVA Students Receive Prestigious JKCF Scholarship

Faiz Adem, Judith Obregon and Reham Elsayed of Northern Virginia Community College were among the 50 recipients of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s prestigious Community College Transfer Scholarship. The highly-competitive national scholarship will provide these three outstanding NOVA students with up to $40,000 a year to complete their bachelor’s degree.

Faiz Adem believes that “when you do things sincerely, you always get good things back.”  A student government association president at NOVA’s Alexandria campus, he is an engaged student leader who spends most of his time away from the classroom volunteering to help others. Originally from Ethiopia, he wants to work in the non-profit sector after an initial career in business. He is interested in helping low income communities around the globe find access to technological resources. Adem has applied to and plans on going to New York University, Georgetown, Cornell, Brown or Harvard. 

“I come from a family of immigrants that work day and night. My mom has worked multiple jobs, and has taught me a lot about perseverance. Just to see her growth—that she has done so much for us—has made me feel that she tried so hard to make us feel that we weren’t missing out on anything. This has made me who I am right now,” said Adem. “First, I would like to thank my family and especially my family at NOVA as well. My professors, counselors, first-year advisors and everyone that has played a role in my life and in my college development. From Dr. Haggray (AL), to Dr. Villagran-Glover (CS) to Mr. Donnell Smith (AL) are so important to me. 

“We are so proud of Faiz’s selection as a 2020 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholar. Not only has Faiz been an outstanding student at NOVA, he has been an exceptional leader,” said Dr. Anette Haggray. “He has been an energetic and visionary SGA President. He actively participated in campus governance, volunteered to help with campus events, and advocated for student organizations and activities on campus. He has made a difference at NOVA and is truly deserving of this honor.”

Judith Obregon, who could not initially finish her education in her home country of Peru due to the impact of domestic terrorism groups and financial difficulties, has kept her family’s optimism for a better future. All her difficult childhood experiences helped her mature at a young age and become more resilient in the face of any challenge and develop her inner desire of helping her community with her volunteering work. While working full time, Judith volunteered in many places, and through her volunteering experience in the Peruvian National Literacy Program in rural areas, she discovered that there are still many children suffering from hunger and poverty and not having access to education. As a result, she was inspired to work in the international development sector to reduce global poverty and resolve the most complex economic problems in the world after graduating. She would also like to be an enterprising woman in IT business and create a foundation that encourages STEM education to support low-income children so that they can access a quality education, thus reducing the barriers of inequality. 

After coming to the USA, she said “I double majored in business and IT at NOVA.” This college, she resumed, “has provided me with the platform needed to expand my knowledge and continue my contribution to our society that aims at empowering the powerless.” She is the founder and the President of the Women in Business club, and she is also the creator and organizer of the first motivational conference and magazine “It is Never too Late to Start a Change,” at NOVA which focuses on real-world challenges that college students face, and how to overcome them.  Judith was selected as a member of the Delegation of business and Entrepreneurship and as the only representative of NOVA and PTK to go to China.  While abroad, she participated in a Business Proposal Competition and received honorable mention.

Judith did not forget to express her gratitude toward people who played an important part in her academic success and leadership development. Dr. Mihaela Chamberlin (AN) who is the Director of STEMHAWKS mentoring program, Judith McNamee (AN) and Rashida Rowther (AN) who are her advisors from her club, have all been crucial in her leadership as well as academics, intellect and community services development at the college. She said, “I also don’t want to forget Eleanor Ripton (AL) in Financial Aid, who provided me with a lot of information about universities in the United States and about the JKC scholarship, and Mounna Tamek (AN), my tutor at the Writing Center and my mentor who guides me and provides me with a positive modeling in my life. Overall, I am so grateful to NOVA for all the experiences that I had,” Obregon said. “I was honored to meet these special people who have helped me achieve my academic excellence.”

Reham Elsayed, another excited scholarship recipient who is planning on going to University of Virginia for a degree in biology, has a longer-term goal of going to medical school to study psychiatry. She really enjoyed learning about psychology at NOVA and is fascinated with the intricacies of the human mind. Her time growing up in Egypt has influenced her interest in helping children in countries that have been politically unstable. Reham plans to merge these aspects of her life: as a psychiatrist, she wants to work on addressing global post-war traumas and helping to heal communities. 

Reham is currently the Vice President Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society of the Alpha Beta Ro chapter of the Annandale Campus. Currently, she is already studying for her medical school entrance exams because she plans on taking the MCATs during her junior year at UVA. She sees remote learning as a time to really focus and study for the MCATs. 

“I never thought I could have done something like this. So many professors were part of this journey. I never met a professor I didn’t like at NOVA. Everyone has their own unique teaching style, and all of them inspired me in some way,” said Elsayed. “I really am sad about graduating from NOVA because I will be leaving PTK. Dr. Credle was very supportive. However, so many people helped with my journey. The advisors at NOVA were super helpful with the [JKCF] application process, along with Dr. Credle and Dr. Vanderson (AL).”  I’m excited for the next step, and my parents are very excited. When we came to the U.S., we didn’t even know how to apply for college. I didn’t know anything about FAFSA in the two years I was at NOVA.” 

“Both of these young women [Judith and Reham] have been active leaders on our campuses with student clubs and in our Honors Program,” said Dr. Pamela Hilbert (AN). “We are thrilled their leadership and diligent studies are recognized by the Jack Kent Cooke organization. They will do amazing things in their future.” 

“Judy is so hardworking and determined. She is always asking questions to help others. She started the Women’s Business Club. Reham, although quiet at first, would consistently speak up about her ideals,” said Dr. Joanne Credle. 

“I am so deeply proud of these three NOVA students, and their commitment to academic success in the face of great challenge is especially meaningful at this moment,” said Dr. Anne Kress. “That Faiz, Judith and Reham are dedicated to helping others is incredibly affirming and speaks to the remarkable qualities that led to their recognition. They are truly extraordinary scholars, and I am grateful to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for supporting their bright futures.”

In addition to financial support, new Cooke Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising from the Foundation to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad and graduate school funding, as well as a connection to a thriving network of over 2,700 fellow Cooke Scholars and alumni.

Nearly 1,500 students from 311 community colleges applied for the 2020 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The Foundation evaluated each submission based on students’ academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, leadership and service to others. The recipients selected represent 17 different states and plan to enroll at the nation’s most selective colleges. Of Virginia’s 25 JKCF semi-finalists, 22 were NOVA students, among which were NOVA’s three finalists.

A list of the 2020 Cooke Transfer Scholars, including the community colleges and states they represent, can be found here.

Learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship here or sign up to receive an email alert when the application opens again this fall.