Eight BMCC Students—More Than any Other CUNY College—Named Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Semifinalists

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced that eight Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) students—more than any other CUNY community college—have been named semi-finalists for the highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

Through this award, the Foundation supports high-achieving community college students with financial need seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at select four-year institutions. This year’s 459 semifinalists were chosen from a pool of more than 1,700 applicants who attend 215 community colleges in 38 states.

The eight BMCC students——Science major Alex Brown, Psychology major Mohamed Elghamry, Small Business Entrepreneur major Carlene Hunte Nelson, Criminal Justice major Farhan Mamun, Computer Science major Mukhlisabonu Nematova, Liberal Arts major Lovestar Rogers, Mathematics major Dani Rojas and Computer Science major Jacqueline Yentumi—will find out in April who has been selected for the transfer scholarship which awards up to $55,000 annually for up to three years to complete a bachelor’s degree.

“The Jack Kent Cooke scholarship is the highest scholarship in the United States for community college students,” said Sussie Gyamfi, Coordinator, BMCC office of Scholarships, Awards and Other Opportunities. “This is the one scholarship that all students can apply for, regardless of academic major or immigration status. Students are selected based on their academic abilities, financial needs, service to the community and to others, leadership, and their persistence.”

Five of the semifinalists shared insight into their academic journeys thus far.

SGA President Carlene Hunte Nelson balances parenting with being a full-time student

Small Business and Entrepreneur major Carlene Hunte Nelson, who is also the BMCC Student Government Association (SGA) President, is originally from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and currently lives in Ocean Hill, Brooklyn. She chose BMCC because of its location as well as its Business Administration program and campus reviews she read online.

“I had to overcome the struggles of adjusting to learning in a structured way after not being in a classroom for a very long time,” said Hunte Nelson, who refers to herself as an older, non-traditional student.

“Now, I have a different perspective on college than what I did when I was much younger,” said Hunte Nelson. “There are many non-traditional students who are parents at BMCC and I have been so encouraged and inspired by their stories.”

She was also inspired by Professors such as Syreeta McFadden (English), Nikolaos K. Adamou (Business Management), Mahatapa Palit (Business Management), Shane Snipes (Small Business Entrepreneur) and Ioannis Tournas (Business Management).

“But perhaps, the most rewarding and challenging part of my BMCC experience has been juggling my duties as President of the BMCC Student Government Association and my prime finance equity swaps apprenticeship at JP Morgan Chase,” she said.

After graduating she is considering a transfer to New York University Gallatin, but is also interested in Columbia University as well as the CUNY BA program. In five years, she sees herself completing a Ph.D. or running a research center think tank focused on issues affecting the Caribbean or perhaps even running for political office.

“I didn’t do this alone,” said Hunte Nelson.  “I have an incredible supportive husband, a mom who prays for me daily, and a wellness collective of sistahs (friends) who show up and support and encourage me, and for that I am so grateful.”

Mohamed Elghamry sees himself working in psychology and conducting research 

Psychology major Mohamed Elghamry, who was born and raised in Manhattan, says he didn’t want to be any place other than New York City when he chose BMCC for the first chapter of his higher education experience.

“I’d say the most rewarding part of my BMCC journey has been being part of, and contributing to a community that feels like one big family,” said Elghamry. “Whether it be my peers or the faculty, everyone around me has always been very supportive, and that has inspired me to always look for ways to give back to our community in whatever ways I can.”

Elghamry plans to attend Columbia University after graduating BMCC, but is keeping an open mind about other possibilities in the city.

He says his grandmother, who passed away a few years ago, had a tremendous impact on his life while he was in high school preparing for the next steps in higher education.

“I’ve chosen to dedicate all of my achievements to her and that greatly motivates me to accomplish more,” said Elghamry. “My mindset is that the sky’s the limit and only time will tell where I’m meant to be.”

In five years, he sees himself working in psychology, conducting research and starting to work in the therapy field. He also plans to work towards obtaining a doctorate of Psychology or a Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Jacqueline Yentumi gains a greater love for technology and is determined to narrow the gender gap

The BMCC motto “Start Here. Go Anywhere” stood out to Computer Science major Jacqueline Yentumi when she was picking a college.

“To me, the motto meant I would be able to develop useful skills and be introduced to opportunities, like the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship,” said Yentumi, who was born and raised in the Bronx and chose BMCC because of its reputation and location in the city.

She says her time at BMCC has been rewarding and she’s grateful for the many relationships she’s developed during her time at the College — from Professors such as Mohammad Azhar (Computer Science) to new friends she’s made while working part-time in the BMCC Library.

“While exploring technology, I’ve also gained a wider perspective on my love for it as well as my role in democratizing it,” said Yentumi. “I have developed a better understanding of how big the gender gap truly is in the technology field.”

Yentumi is looking at a number of four-year institutions including New York University, Syracuse University and Smith College. She’s also part of the Kaplan Education Foundation cohort and is exploring a number of options through that program as well.

In the long term, she plans to focus her efforts on creating a technology space that is more inviting for women of color.

“This mission has kept me strong in pursuit of a Computer Science degree,” said Yentumi. “In the future I see myself taking part in nonprofit organizations tailored to this specific cause. I hope to be a role model for change and use my story to encourage other women of color to take up space in this field.”

Yentumi says she is inspired by the lessons instilled upon her by her father, who passed away suddenly during her senior year in high school.

“He taught me to be resilient, even when times are hard,” she said. “I recognize the importance of using his legacy and teachings to keep me pushing through any challenges I might face moving forward.”

Dani Rojas’s love of mathematics flourished at BMCC

Mathematics major Dani Rojas came to the United States from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with the dream of getting a good education.  Rojas, who now lives in Brooklyn, said he first had to improve his English.

He later heard about the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP)— an intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program for incoming students who have been accepted to CUNY but need to improve their academic English skills before taking college courses.

“While in the program, my classmates recommended BMCC, pointing out its strong Hispanic community, and professors who were supportive of immigrant and first-generation college students,” said Rojas who said he struggled academically in high school until he discovered his love for math.

At BMCC, Rojas has participated in research that examines number theories and applying machine learning to solving differential equations.

“I even had the opportunity of participating in a math teacher conference in Washington D.C.,” he said. “I was also able to get a math tutor position at Kingsborough Community College thanks to my Physics and Calculus 3 professors. “

Rojas has applied to Baruch College, New York City College of Technology and John Jay College. He says CUNY colleges offers programs that encourage social mobility.

In five years, I see myself completing a Ph.D. in number theory or abstract algebra,” said Rojas. “For instance, I am quite concerned that current cryptography algorithms based on number theory could become obsolete due to the arrival of quantum computers and Shor`s algorithm. I think that the implementation of Lattice algorithms could keep data safe from the attack of quantum computers.”

Alex Brown plans to complete medical school and become a maternal-fetal specialist

Science major Alex Brown was born in Jamaica and moved to the Bronx in 2020. She was encouraged to apply to BMCC by mentors who spoke highly of the College.

“After researching the location, cost and most notably, the motto ‘Start here. Go anywhere,’ BMCC feel like the right fit for me,” said Brown. “But attending college after a three-year break from school was more difficult than I anticipated.”

The challenge of an 18-credit course load, working as a tutor, serving as a club leader and working as a research assistant forced her to make some changes so she could maintain her good GPA.

“I created an assignment schedule to stay on track and a daily schedule to prioritize eating, sleeping and maintaining a social life,” said Brown. “Thanks to BMCC’s diverse curriculum, I was able to take classes outside my major and discovered my love for theatre and Broadway shows.  I also took classes where I learned about Black history in America and how those experiences were similar, yet different, from my Caribbean ancestors.

She also overcame her fear of public speaking by taking a speech class and trained to be an IMPACT peer mentor.

“I learned about growth mindset, emotional intelligence, locus of control and how to deal with imposter syndrome,” said Brown. “My time at BMCC prepared me to succeed in any environment where endless possibilities exist.

Brown plans to transfer to either Hunter College, City College, New York University, Yale or Columbia University.

“In the next five years, I will be in medical school working hard to achieve my goal of becoming a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, as I aspire to be a part of the representation Black women need in medicine,” said Brown.