July 2025
Cooke Alums at a Thrive Together meetup in Dallas.
Compass Feature: Jocelyn Hernández Vázquez
2015 College Scholar, Harvard University
Jocelyn became a Cooke Scholar in 2015, and studied Spanish Language & Literature and Political Science as a College Scholar at Harvard University. After graduating she became a Fulbright Scholar, working in Madrid. Jocelyn now works at GitLab, where she is a Product Marketing Manager. In the below video, Jocelyn shares about the importance of exploring different career paths.
You can connect with Jocelyn on LinkedIn here.
Compass Feature: Jeffrey Garcia
As we continue to prep new interviews that we’ll begin releasing in September, we invite you to watch one of our previous Cooke Alum interviews featuring Jeffrey Garcia, who was a part of the Foundation's first Young Scholar cohort and graduated from Stanford University. Jeff is a partner at Capital Group Companies, and is also a board member for the California Community Foundation, Teach for America, Value Schools, and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. In his interview, he shares about his journey through school as a Young Scholar, and how he has learned to balance the different buckets of his life.
You can connect with Jeffrey on LinkedIn here.
Tashrima Hossain
2010 Young Scholar; 2015 College Scholar; 2019 Graduate Scholar, Harvard University
Tashrima is the recipient of the 2025 Ralph D. Gants Access to Justice Award, which is given to a student who demonstrates commitment to improving access to justice and leadership in working to remove systemic barriers that prevent equal justice for all.
Tashrima was selected for her outstanding accomplishments as a member of the Housing Law Clinic of the WilmerHale Legal Services Center, where she spent four semesters advocating for survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence in the clinic’s Housing Justice for Survivors Project.
In the official spotlight from Harvard Law School, Tashrima shared the following, “It is an immense honor and privilege to receive the Gants Access to Justice Award. I’m humbled to be associated with Chief Justice Gants’ legacy of advocating for individuals facing historic injustices. I came to law school to learn how to represent and defend those harmed by America’s broken housing systems. It means a great deal to know these efforts have made an impact on our clients.”
You can read the full student spotlight here, and connect with Tashrima on LinkedIn here.
Jerry Mathes
2004 Graduate Scholar, University of Idaho
Jerry just announced that his fifth book, Of Time and Punishment: A Memoir, is coming out on October 28, 2025. The cover art was created by Jerry’s daughter Sophia, who just turned 25 this year, and it was because of her, twenty-five years ago, that Jerry decided to go back to college.
He shared, “This memoir took me decades to write and weighed on me through many false starts and drafts. I was confronting my past honestly. It took a lot of emotional energy, which included nightmares. But it also allowed me to own my truth, setting me free in a way I didn’t know I could be. It created an opportunity for me to deepen my relationships with my family, friends, and especially my two daughters. For me, this is the most important book I have written or ever will write.”
You can view the book here, and connect with Jerry on his website here.
Sophia Abolfathi
2021 College Scholar, University of Florida
Last month, Sophia placed in the top 3 of the Hearst Foundations’ National Writing Championship for her story focused on the San Francisco fishing fleet's struggle to stay afloat after California placed heavy regulations on the Dungeness crab fishing industry.
Sophia shared the following, “I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded among the top three students of this year's Hearst Journalism Awards Program's National Writing Championship. This was a goal -- really, a dream -- that I had secretly carried with me since I started attending the University of Florida, and every day I would walk past a sign honoring the college's legacy of Hearst winners. I didn't know I could do it. Now I am part of that legacy, and I couldn't be prouder about it. This is an incredible testament to the power of vibrant, truthful, and earnest journalism, towards which I feel an incredible obligation and appreciation that is only growing. Thank you for the honor.”
Additionally, Sophia was just selected to participate in this year's cohort of the Gotham Film & Media Institute's Career Development Program. She is one of five students selected for the documentary track, and you can read the press release on Deadline here.
You can connect with Sophia on LinkedIn here.
Yasmine Arrington Brooks
2006 Young Scholar; 2011 College Scholar; 2015 Graduate Scholar, Howard University
Yasmine recently published a new book titled From Tragedy to Triumph, and was deemed as the No. 1 New Release for Teen and Young Adult Social Activist Biographies on Amazon.
Yasmine reflects on her time as a Scholar and how she included those experiences in her book, “I initially became a Young Scholar when I was in the 7th grade back in 2006. Little did I know how much the experience of being a Cooke Scholar would change my life! I was also fortunate to become a College Scholar and Graduate Scholar. In my newly self-published memoir entitled From Tragedy to Triumph: A Personal Journey of Healing, Love, Purpose & Legacy, in the chapters entitled "The Scholarships" and "The Pura Vida" I detail how being a Cooke Scholar changed the trajectory of my life and education, and provided incredible opportunities for me that I otherwise would not have had access to, for example like going on a six-week immersion program to Costa Rica and living with a host family.”
Yasmine shared her advice for Cooke Scholars, “Make the most of your Scholar experience and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible including attending Welcome Weekend and reunions, scheduling check-ins with your Deans, utilizing summer enrichment opportunities, connecting with your local alumni chapter, and so much more! You will be so glad you did!”
You can connect with Yasmine on LinkedIn here.
Let’s Get Ready to Celebrate!
As part of the Foundation's 25th anniversary celebration, we invite you to share with us your reflections on your Scholar experience. We're hoping to include these in upcoming content and events. Here are a couple of prompts to get you started:
A memory you have from when you found out you got the scholarship.
Describe a turning point in your identity as a Cooke Scholar.
What do you wish to achieve at the pinnacle of your career?
What has being part of the Cooke Scholar community meant to you?
Click the button below to access the submission form. You can pick as few or as many prompts as you'd like, and if you'd like to send us a video response instead, you can share the link to a folder with us through the form as well. Feel free to email us at alumni@jkcf.org if you have any questions.
The Latest Alumni Blog Features
Cooke Scholar Service: Efua Duma Panyin Crentsil
In this blog, Cooke Alum Efua Duma Panyin Crentsil shares her work with Renew Life Worship Center Healthcare Team. Read more about Efua’s service, and how she shares her medical knowledge with members of local churches. Read more here.
Upcoming Events
After the Layoff: Navigating the Pivot with Confidence
A layoff can feel like a setback, but it can also be a powerful reset.
During this panel on Wednesday, July 16 from 7-8 p.m. ET, Cooke Alums Mac Teng and Raymund Flandez will share candid reflections on what it’s really like to go through a layoff, from processing the emotional impact to making the most of time off. We’ll discuss practical steps like filing for unemployment, reviewing your benefits, and refreshing your resume, as well as tips for staying grounded, reassessing your goals, and building a strong next chapter.
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, or submit them at the link below!
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.
Tufts Scholars in May 2025