Honors Students Awarded Prestigious Transfer Scholarships
May 31, 2023 - 10:46 AM
Mt. San Antonio College students An Ha and Michael Stine III have been selected to receive the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, valued at up to $55,000 annually.
An and Michael are two of 60 community college students selected from across a nationwide pool of 1,700 applicants based on academic achievement, persistence, desire to help others, and leadership. The selection of An and Michael, both Honors Program students, marks the 11th time in college history that a Mt. SAC student has been selected as a Cooke Scholar.
An, 21, is majoring in Business Administration and will be transferring to University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business. She will graduate in the spring with three associate degrees: AS-T Business Administration, AA-T Sociology, and AA Liberal Arts with Business Emphasis. She serves as a peer mentor to fellow low-income and first-generation college students participating in Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS). Inspired by her personal and work experiences from EOPS/CARE, An proposed an endeavor to increase institutional awareness and support for student parents on campus. She co-authored a resolution urging campus leaders to consider the survey data she gathered to establish a dedicated Student Parent Study Space and eventually develop a Parent Center committed to serving and providing resources for student parents. She also serves as president of Associated Students. She also serves as the student representative on the President’s Advisory Council and Student Preparation, Equity, and Achievement Council. Earlier this year, An was named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-California Academic First Team and was one of 20 students named to the 2023 All-USA Academic Team. An also received the New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship. She is also a recipient of a 2023 Mt. SAC Legacy Leader award, and 2022 Mt. SAC Inspiring Women and Student of Distinction awards.
Michael, 21, is majoring in Psychology and will graduate this spring with associate degrees in Psychology, Social Behavioral Sciences, and Kinesiology and Wellness. While he awaits acceptance from other universities this month to make his final decision, he has already secured offers from the University of California Irvine and the University of California Santa Barbara. Michael is a scholar-athlete and has excelled as a member of the Track and Field team, earning a medal at the 2022 California Community College Athletic Association State Championship. Beyond his athletic achievements, Michael stands out as a prominent leader on campus. He serves as the inaugural president of Mt. SAC’s African American Male Education Network and Development Charter, (A2MEND), and also helps fellow first-time college students navigate through college as a PromisePlus+ Peer Coach. Michael actively engages in numerous student organizations, such as the Center for Black Culture and Success, Aspire, Umoja, Minority Male Initiative, the WIN Program, Arise, and El Centro. In recognition of his contributions to Mt. SAC’s community, Michael was honored with the first Mt. SAC Legacy Leader award and recognized as a 2023 Student of Distinction for his dedication to service.
Every year, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation selects high-achieving, low-income students from community colleges for scholarships that provide funding for tuition, room and board, fees and books.
