Dyersburg State's Alexis Smith in Running for Prestigious National Scholarship

Alexis Smith, a Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) student, is a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Transformative Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Smith, the Phi Theta Kappa President and Student Government Association Vice-President at Dyersburg State, is acknowledged for her academic performance, leadership, and service. The scholarship is a notable award for outstanding community college students in the U.S., designed to assist those with exceptional academic skills to transfer to top four-year institutions and minimize student debt.

On March 14, 2024, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation named 459 community college students as semifinalists for this competitive scholarship. The award offers up to $55,000 per year for two to three years to complete a bachelor’s degree at any accredited four-year undergraduate institution in the U.S. The semifinalists were chosen from over 1,600 applicants from 194 community colleges in 37 states, Washington, DC, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The scholarship is offered at an important time when only about a third of community college students transfer to four-year schools, and only 16% obtain a bachelor’s degree within six years. The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides a chance to overcome these challenges and successfully earn their bachelor’s degrees.

Besides financial aid, selected Cooke Transfer Scholars will receive educational advice from the Foundation’s Deans of Scholar Support. This advice will help them transition to a four-year school and prepare for their future careers. Scholars will also have access to internships, study abroad programs, graduate school funding, and a network of over 3,100 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

The finalists for the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship will be announced in May. This scholarship offers a significant opportunity for community college students like Alexis Smith to advance their education and reach their academic objectives.

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