May 2025
Cooke Scholars and Alums at Cooke Connections: Philadelphia in April 2025
Compass Feature: Wyatt Deihl
2018 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar; 2022 Graduate Scholar, Yale University
Wyatt became a Cooke Transfer Scholar in 2018, and studied Public Health at Rollins College. After becoming a Graduate Scholar, he earned his master’s degree in Public Health from Yale University. Wyatt now works as a community liaison for CAN Community Health while preparing to begin his PhD journey soon. In the below video, Wyatt talks about gaining confidence and experiencing personal growth during grad school.
You can connect with Wyatt on LinkedIn here.
Lyric Larson
2022 College Scholar, Western Carolina University; 2025 Graduate Scholar
Lyric became the Program Coordinator for Western Carolina University’s Department of Intercultural Affairs in January, after interning with the organization in the fall.
Her responsibilities include planning and implementing programs, supporting students, updating policy, advertising our department, and more. Lyric has been involved in events such as Holi, Graduation Celebration, and ClipDart, among others. They are currently collaborating with the Department of Campus Activities on a trip to Dollywood for 110 students to celebrate the end of the semester.
Lyric said, “In addition to event planning, I oversee a peer-to-peer mentoring program, Project CARE, designed to improve student retention through community building. We have a group of twenty new students and twenty upperclassmen mentors who support them during their first year at WCU. It has been a privilege to guide these students through mentorship and event planning. I am currently recruiting new mentors for the upcoming academic year (many of whom participated in the program this year as both mentors and mentees).”
As for what she’s most looking forward to, Lyric points to their upcoming new mentor training weekend, “I will be assisting in training them to work as a team, to better support their mentees, and to become better campus leaders.”
You can connect with Lyric on LinkedIn here.
Anastasia Jones-Smith
2006 Young Scholar; 2011 College Scholar; 2018 Graduate Scholar, Drexel University
Charlotte Business Journal recently recognized Anastasia as a 2025 Women in Business Award recipient. Since 1997, the Journal has recognized outstanding women who are creating an impact in the region through their work in the public and private sectors annually.
Anastasia currently works as a program management executive at Bank of America Corp, and serves on the board of directors for Anuvia Recovery and Prevention Center, a nonprofit drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that has provided services to the Charlotte community since 1958.
Anastasia called this recognition an honor, and shared, “This award is a testament of a career grounded upon faith, hard work, and meaningful relationships. I am humbled to be recognized not only for my career accomplishments thus far but also for my passion for uplifting the community, colleagues, and young talent around me.”
You can read the announcement here, and connect with Anastasia on LinkedIn here.
Zack Pakin
2019 College Scholar; 2023 Graduate Scholar, Cornell University
Zack was just hired at Palantir Technologies as a Deployment Strategist after graduating from his Urban Tech program at Cornell Tech. Palantir, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, is a company that specializes in software platforms for big data analytics.
Zack shared, “As a Deployment Strategist at Palantir, I’ll be working with corporate clients to help solve complex business problems using their data. Some projects include optimizing hospital operations and improving wildfire prevention. I’m excited by the multidisciplinary nature of the role and the opportunity to work on challenging, impactful problems.”"
You can connect with Zack on LinkedIn here.
Rene Jimenez
2006 Young Scholar; 2011 College Scholar; 2021 Graduate Scholar, Columbia University
Rene (right) with his daughter Aubrey
The Brooklyn Stroll Club, a friendly and supportive community of fathers in New York, was profiled in the New York Times last month, and featured Cooke Alum Rene Jimenez and his daughter.
Rene shared, “Being part of this group has been an incredible and reaffirming experience. Fatherhood is one of the most meaningful journeys I've ever embarked on—but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t tough in the beginning. What surprised me most was how isolating it could feel at times. That’s why the work I’m doing with the Brooklyn Stroll Club has become so important to me. Right now, I’m focused on community outreach within the group, and I’m learning just how many first-time dads share those same feelings. Knowing I’m not alone in that has been both eye-opening and comforting.”
Rene spoke to the importance of the group, “What’s been truly powerful is being surrounded by other dads who are all striving to be the best version of themselves for their kids. It’s inspiring, empowering, and reminds me of the strength that comes from shared experience. Having a space to open up about my own journey—and to learn from others who are a bit further down the road—has made a huge difference!”
You can read the full article here.
Sheena Jimmick
2017 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, University of Minnesota
Sheena was recently interviewed by her alma mater, Perpich Arts High School, about her academic and career journey that lead her to Avenues for Youth, an organization that partners with youth ages 16-24 in Hennepin County, MN experiencing homelessness to achieve their dreams.
Sheena shared more about her role at Avenues for Youth, “As the Database Manager at Avenues for Youth, I am responsible for all gift entry and receipting, as well as analyzing giving trends to inform future appeals. With current uncertainty in federal funding, this use of data analysis is more important than ever. I learned early on that I am not suited for direct social service, so this role is a way for me to make a real difference in the community using my math skills.”
You can read the full article here, and connect with Sheena on LinkedIn here.
Compass Feature: Mouhamed Gaye
Mouhamed became a Young Scholar in 2015 and a College Scholar in 2020. In 2024, he graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in biochemistry & biophysics on the pre-med track. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree, Mouhamed worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for Mohawk Ambulance Service. In the below interview, he shares about his journey working in emergency medicine and critical care, and how he currently works as a clinical research assistant at University of Maryland School of Medicine.
You can connect with Mouhamed on LinkedIn here.
The Latest Alumni Blog Features
Cooke Career Snapshot: Progress Pushers Arizona with Cordero Holmes
In April, Cooke Alum Cordero Holmes was awarded the American Association of Community Colleges 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award for his work and leadership. In this blog, he shares about his journey to become the Director of Operations for Progress Pushers Arizona, an organization dedicated to guiding, educating, and empowering youth that are most impacted by societal systems. Read more here.
Thank you to the Scholars and Alums who attended Cooke Connections: Philadelphia!
Thank you to all of the Scholars and Alums who joined us in April for Cooke Connections: Philadelphia! We hope you enjoyed the company visits and community reception as much as we did! The conversation, engagement, and community-building were so energizing and we are grateful to all of you for being a part of our event.
Special thanks go out to Cooke Alums Cristopher Alvarado and Jennifer Dupree for sharing their time, talent, and perspective with our group during the events.
Stay tuned to find out where the Foundation will be traveling to this spring for the next Cooke Connections event…
Upcoming Events
Introduction to Public Speaking
Are you looking to boost your confidence and improve your public speaking skills? Join us at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 26 for "Introduction to Public Speaking," a one-hour virtual session designed to help you become a more effective and engaging speaker.
Whether you're preparing for a presentation, a job interview, or simply want to improve your everyday communication skills, this session is perfect for you. Cooke Alum Bérénice Sylverain draws from her years of experience as a public speaker and shares tips and tricks to transform your public speaking abilities and gain the confidence to speak with ease.
Past Events
Last month, Cooke Scholars and Alums had the opportunity to attend, “It's Okay Not to Know: Finding Your Path, One Step at a Time.” Cooke Alums Yanelle Cruz Bonilla and Ryan Baril shared how they navigated unexpected changes in their academic and career journeys. The conversation helped normalize uncertainty and provided insights on how to embrace change with confidence. No matter where you are in your journey, this session will remind you that exploring different paths is not just normal—it can lead to exciting and fulfilling opportunities. Watch the recording above if you missed the event!
Join Us in Sharing Messages That Reflect the Strength and Spirit of the Scholar Network
We’re bringing back a cherished Scholars Weekend tradition: quote jars! As some of you may remember, in 2014, new Scholars received jars filled with inspirational quotes from the community to encourage them throughout their first year. We're excited to revive this idea for our newest Scholars, and we need your help to make it meaningful.
Please send motivational quotes, affirmations, or short personal anecdotes that have inspired you. These can be as simple as “Stay determined – you can do it,” or something a bit longer that reflects your journey.
Your words of wisdom will be a powerful reminder that our community is always cheering each other on. Please email alumni@jkcf.org with your messages!
Share Your Big News!
Have you landed an amazing new job, published groundbreaking research, or welcomed a new addition to your family this year? We want to celebrate your incredible personal, professional, and academic achievements! Share your exciting updates with us by submitting your news below or emailing our Alumni Engagement Manager Gabby Nicholas.
