Seven LaGuardia Community College Students Named Semifinalists for 2026 Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (March 11, 2026) — Seven LaGuardia Community College/CUNY students have been named semifinalists for the 2026 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious and competitive awards for community college students.
On March 5, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced 485 semifinalists selected from more than 1,300 applicants representing 224 community colleges across 37 states. Semifinalists were chosen through a rigorous review of academic achievement, perseverance, and leadership.
The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides up to $55,000 per year for two to three years—last‑dollar funding, enabling scholars with financial need to complete their bachelor’s degrees debt‑free at any accredited four‑year institution in the United States. In addition to generous financial support, Cooke Scholars receive personalized academic and transfer advising; access to internships, study‑abroad opportunities, and graduate school funding; and membership in a national network of more than 3,800 Cooke Scholars and Alumni, offering mentorship and professional connections throughout their academic and career journeys.
“LaGuardia is proud of our students for earning this distinction, and we are grateful to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for its continued support of community college students,” said Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College. “Their selection reflects not only their hard work and determination, but also the strength of the LaGuardia community—faculty, advisors, and staff who challenge students to stretch themselves in the classroom and through research, internships, and other opportunities. Achievements like this underscore that community colleges offer access to meaningful, life‑changing opportunities, and that our students are among the most talented and driven learners anywhere.”
LaGuardia’s 2026 Jack Kent Cooke Semifinalists:
- Nabila Akther – A.A. Psychology Major
- Nataly Briones – A.A. Human Services: Mental Health Major
- Mia Gonzalez Lozado – A.A.S. Paralegal Studies Major
- Jiale Lin – A.S. Biotechnology Major
- Kenny Lin – A.A. Political Science Major
- Thilleli Mehrazi – A.S. Biology Major
- Khine Zin (Valentina) Thaw – A.S. Electrical Engineering Major
*Excludes semifinalists who did not opt into publicity.
“I am proud of our track record of Cooke semifinalists over the years because it represents what is possible when we as a college connect students to strong academic, advising, and peer networks,” said Dr. Karlyn Koh, Professor of English and Cooke Campus Representative. It is no small feat to be part of the 37% of applicants selected to move to the final round of this competition. I always encourage the semifinalists to thank their mentors, and to take a moment to relish this success regardless of what happens next.”
LaGuardia’s strong record of students earning recognition from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation includes eight LaGuardia students named semifinalists in 2025, with three selected as Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars. They include:
- Jessica Gallegos (Music Recording Technology’25) is studying music at Columbia University. She aspires to become a music producer and sound engineer—and the first woman to win the Grammy for Producer of the Year (Non-Classical).
- Miguel Posada Perez (Mechanical Engineering’25) is pursuing a bachelor’s in electrical engineering at the University of Virginia. His goal is to earn a PhD and conduct interdisciplinary research in biomedical, environmental, and power systems engineering.
- Tabia Tarannum (Biology’25) is studying biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Covenant Scholar. She intends to pursue an MD-PhD in anesthesiology, with the goal of conducting biomedical research to advance healthcare equity in underserved communities.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation will announce the 2026 Cook Undergraduate Transfer Scholars in May.
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LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.
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