November 2025
Cooke Alum Peter Dugan kicking off the 25th Anniversary Celebration in Washington, D.C.
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.
William Tarpeh
2003 Young Scholar; 2008 College Scholar; 2012 Graduate Scholar, University of California at Berkeley
William Tarpeh was awarded a 2025 MacArthur Fellowship for his work envisioning sustainable and practical solutions to treat wastewater and recover valuable mineral resources.
“Turning wastewater pollutants into valuable chemical products provides exciting opportunities to realize circular economies and sustain our future,” Tarpeh said, describing his most recent Woods Institute-funded wastewater recovery project.
The 2025 MacArthur Fellows expand the boundaries of knowledge, artistry, and human understanding. As shared on the website, “With virtuosity, persistence, and courage, [the Fellows] chart new paths toward collaborative, creative, and flourishing futures.”
You can read about William’s work here, and about the 2025 MacArthur Fellows here.
Grace and Laurel (Na Hye) Kim
Grace: 2019 College Scholar; 2023 Graduate Scholar, Stanford University
Laurel: 2018 College Scholar; 2023 Graduate Scholar, Stanford University
In August, Grace and Laurel published a piece for the Stanford Space Law Society titled, “Who Takes Out the Trash in Space?” Grace, who is pursuing her PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Laurel, a J.D. Candidate at Stanford Law School, collaborated on this piece about the potential industry and legal implications of spacecraft congestion in Low Earth Orbit.
Laurel shared, “Grace and I come from different academic disciplines. Although I study law, Grace brought up a development in space that we felt could benefit from both of our perspectives. Both being Cooke Scholars (and sisters), we were surprised that we didn't collaborate earlier!”
You can read their work here. You can connect with Grace on LinkedIn here, and Laurel here.
Raabia Badat
2017 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar; 2024 Graduate Scholar, Rice University
This summer, Raabia served as a Business Operations and HR Intern at the Galveston Children’s Museum. She supported launching a digital event booking system, refining event rental offerings, and helping implement HR feedback systems to strengthen staff development.
A current Graduate Scholar at Rice University pursuing her MBA, Rabbia serves as Internal Relations Chair for the 26th annual Women in Leadership Conference (WILC) at Rice Business —one of the largest student-run conferences—where she leads volunteer engagement and fosters community across the planning team.
Raabia shared, “I’m excited to continue growing WILC’s impact and, after completing my MBA at Rice University, pursue a career in operations or strategy.”
You can connect with Raabia on LinkedIn here.
Ryan Baril
2002 Young Scholar; 2007 College Scholar, University of Wisconsin - Madison
In September, Ryan published his newest book, Genesis, a thrilling fantasy adventure about a teenager who must acquire tattoo powers in a series of deadly trials in order to save his brother from the forces of evil.
Ryan shared a little bit about the journey leading up to this moment, “Last summer, my company announced a voluntary separation program (VSP). I looked at it on the first day and said, ‘That's not for me.’ However, a voice in my head disagreed. You see, I've been writing for seventeen years, and although I published my first book in 2018, I was struggling to make continued progress on the series. Between my job, an MBA program, and a young family, my writing time was slim. I had only completed four drafts in six years, and I realized the VSP provided a unique opportunity to finish my novels - even if it meant parting from great colleagues and a great company in the process.
Some decisions shape your life, and that one will forever be a cornerstone in mine. In the last ten months, I've completed ten drafts across three novels, hired the best editor and cover designer I could find, and pursued my calling with vigor. I revised my first book to ensure continuity across the trilogy - and [on September 29], it was released to the world.”
Ryan spoke on a Foundation panel titled “It’s Okay Not to Know” earlier this year, and you can watch the recording here.
You can connect with Ryan on LinkedIn here, and visit his website here.
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.
Join Our Internship-Hosting Office Hour
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 Wednesday, November 12 at 12:30 p.m. ET. for Internship-Hosting Office Hours. Dean of Career Services Jennifer Krasilovsky and Alumni Manager Gabby Nicholas will answer questions and offer support during this one-hour block.
Cheers to 25 Years of the Foundation
A huge thank you to the following Regional Celebration party hosts who led the incredible regional celebrations around the world to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Foundation. They poured so much time and energy to bring joy and excitement to these cities, and we’re grateful for their leadership and commitment to our community:
Atlanta, GA: Trung Quach
Austin, TX: Scott Pine
Baltimore, MD: Samata Singhi
Boston, MA: Wadzanai Hope Ndambakuwa, Seth Robles, and Bryan Valdivia
Champaign, IL: Selvin Tobar
Chapel Hill, NC: Daphnie Velasquez Garcia
Chicago, IL: Joe Thornton & Florencia Almada Gossweiler
Dallas, TX: Muaz Abrar
Denver, CO: Ben Walker
Detroit, MI: Chris LeFlore
Fresno, CA: Isis Frausto-Vicencio
Houston, TX: Evelyn Garza
London, UK: Christine Nguyen
Los Angeles, CA: Ravanna Cantrall
Miami, FL: Stefani Davila
New Haven, CT: Murphy Temple & Foundation Dean Erik Oviedo
New Orleans, LA: Bérénice Sylverain
New York City, NY: Ariana Rosario
Orlando, FL: Gustavo Diaz Galeas
Philadelphia, PA: Larry Thi
Phoenix, AZ: Jennifer Alvarado
San Diego, CA: Sarah Schwab
San Francisco, CA: Annie Seo
Seattle, WA: Saray Bedoya Massey
Rochester, NY: Rene Bulnes Moreno
To learn more about the 25th Anniversary and the Washington, D.C. celebration, read the press release here.
The Cooke Graduate Scholarship is Open!
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.
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.
Share the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship with Your Networks!
The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship application is now open through Common App for Transfer. The application deadline is January 7, 2026. We’d appreciate your support in spreading the word on social media and sharing with your networks. If you're a current or former Cooke Transfer Scholar, please consider reaching out to your community college asking them to encourage eligible students to apply.
If you do not have contact information for your community college’s Campus Representative, you can access the list here: Find Your Campus Representative.
If your community college currently does not have one and would like to designate a Campus Representative, they can complete this form: Campus Representative Update.
To apply, students can find the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation in Common App for Transfer by visiting www.jkcf.org/catransfer and adding the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to their Common App as if the Foundation is a school. They can learn more about the program on our website and in this digital flyer. Here are our posts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter/X to help spread the word even further, or even to directly share with anyone you know who might be interested.
If you receive any questions, please direct them to scholarships@jkcf.org.
Upcoming Events
Are you considering graduate school and wondering what it’s really like? Join us on Friday, November 14 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. ET for a one-hour virtual session where current Graduate Scholars and Cooke Alums from diverse academic and professional backgrounds will share their experiences, insights, and advice on applying to and thriving in graduate school.
This informal, interactive event is designed to help you:
Learn tips for navigating the application process
Hear firsthand stories about academic life, challenges, and growth
Connect with Alums who’ve successfully completed graduate programs
After a brief welcome and introduction, attendees will have the opportunity to join breakout rooms for small-group conversations with Alums. This is your chance to ask questions, get personalized advice, and build connections.
Whether you're just starting to think about grad school or already preparing your applications, this session will help you gain clarity and confidence in your next steps.
Cooke Scholars and Alums at the 25th Anniversary Celebration in the Bay Area.