January 2026
Executive Director Seppy Basili on stage at the 25th Anniversary Celebration in Washington D.C.
Compass Feature: Dzung Nguyen
2017 College Scholar, University of Pennsylvania
Dzung became a Scholar in 2017 and received her Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a focus on computer graphics in 2021. Following internships at Cesium and Pixar Animation Studios, Dzung stepped into her role as a professional Software Engineer first at Cruise, a self-driving vehicle company, and most recently at Roblox, an online game platform. In the below interview, Dzung shares about her career journey and how she ended up doing what she loves.
You can connect with Dzung on LinkedIn here.
Alumni Updates
Thomas Emens
2022 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar; 2025 Graduate Scholar, Princeton University
In November, Thomas was elected as mayor of Jamesburg, NJ following a special election. Thomas ran on the slogan “Progress for Jamesburg,” and was elected alongside borough councilmember Samantha Rampacek and Jamesburg residents Tracey Madigan and James Kozee.
Thomas is currently a Graduate Scholar at Princeton University in their School of Public and International Affairs.
The Daily Princetonian asked Thomas about balancing studies and mayoral duties, and he said that the “role of mayor is a 24/7, 365 job,” but it “really does come down to time management.”
He also shared that, “I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he said. “I would not be as successful as I am as a student or as a public official if I wasn't actively involved in learning new things and prioritizing growth as a student, but also being actively involved in service.”
Thomas will serve as mayor until December 31, 2027.
You can read an article about the election from the Daily Princetonian here, and connect with Thomas on LinkedIn here.
Reinhart Selvik
2013 Graduate Arts Award, University of California at Irvine
Reinhart recently curated and participated in ‘Periphery,’ a large scale series of murals at the University of California, San Diego where he brought together artists from diverse backgrounds to paint a large scale mural on the new entrance to campus from the San Diego Trolley.
In addition to other commission projects both commercial and private, Reinhart has also been a part of several gallery exhibitions, and recently completed an art Residency at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine. Reinhart has renewed his focus on his studio practice along with teaching beginning sculpture at Santa Monica Community College.
His projects center on interrelationships between memory and architecture, along with lived experiences that inform and distort individual perceptions of the world. Exploring the subtle boundaries of change in the cityscape and the traces that remain, Reinhart’s works surface the residues of volatility that are invisible and ever-present.
You can visit Reinhart’s website here.
Photos from Reinhart’s portfolio.
Joseph Loy
2021 College Scholar, University of Colorado Boulder
After graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder in December, Joseph started a new career with Ditesco, LLC as a project engineer.
As a Project Engineer, his role includes 1) providing project coordination and construction oversight for the quality of water, wastewater, utility, and heavy civil construction infrastructure projects across the Northern Colorado Front Range region, 2) supporting civil engineering design tasks that include analyzing plans, survey reports, maps, and other data related to project design, and 3) managing and supervising project controls (cost, schedule, quality).
Joseph shared, “I’m super excited to be starting this new chapter! I’m looking forward to all the new connections and experiences ahead in the new year and grateful for the opportunity to follow my heart in Colorado!”
You can connect with Joseph on LinkedIn here.
Submit an Internship for Cooke Scholars Here
Are you in the process of submitting an internship opportunity for Cooke Scholars? Or are you interested in learning more about the process?
Join the Foundation’s Career Advancement team on Tuesday, January 13 at 12:00 p.m. ET. for an Internship-Hosting Webinar. Dean of Career Services Jennifer Krasilovsky and Alumni Manager Gabby Nicholas will share more about the internship process and answer any questions from the community.
The Career Advancement team will also have open office hours On Wednesday, February 18 at 12:30 p.m. ET. You can register for both sessions below.
The Cooke Graduate Scholarship closes on January 9!
The Cooke Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 Cooke Graduate Scholarship. This scholarship program is available only to Cooke undergraduate scholarship recipients and recent Cooke Alums who plan to pursue a graduate degree beginning in fall 2026. Cooke Alums who graduated between fall of 2022 and summer 2025 are eligible to apply. The application deadline is January 9, 2026.
Applicants for the 2026 Cooke Graduate Scholarship must attend one of our Application Sessions in order to be eligible for the scholarship:
For more information, see the detailed FAQ section on our website (scroll down toward the bottom of the page). You can also find examples of successful responses to application questions on the Grad Scholar Portal. If you have more questions or would like support on your application, email gradscholars@jkcf.org.
2025 Undergraduate Scholar Award recipient Matthew Werneken at the 2025 Scholars Weekend banquet
Stay Tuned for the 2026 Scholar & Alumni Awards
The 2026 applications for two monetary awards for Cooke Scholars and Alums will open soon!
The Undergraduate Scholar Award in Honor of Dennis I. Belcher is a $5,000 award that may be given annually to one or more current Cooke Scholars.
The Matthew J. Quinn Prize is a $10,000 award that may be given annually to one or more current Cooke Graduate Scholars or Cooke Alums.
The awards are designed to recognize Cooke Scholars and Alums who have demonstrated outstanding achievement during the prior three years (January 2023 through December 2025). Such achievements might include the development of an innovative solution to a societal problem, creation of a significant community program, or publication of an important work. The outstanding achievement must demonstrate impact and touch the lives of others in meaningful ways.
The deadline to apply for these awards is Friday, March 27, 2026.
Stay tuned for the application link!
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.
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.
NYC Cooke Scholars and Alums at a Central Park Thrive Together picnic in September 2025.