Joseph Gonzalez, a Suffolk County Community College liberal arts student from West Babylon, NY is one of only 60 community college students nationwide selected to receive the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, a highly competitive national scholarship that provides up to $55,000 annually toward completion of a bachelor’s degree. This is the largest private scholarship awarded to community college transfer students in the country. Joseph is the twelfth Jace Kent Cooke scholar in the college’s 65-year history.

The award covers tuition, fees, books, and living expenses, in addition to comprehensive educational advising from Foundation staff to guide the students through the transition to a four-year college and prepare them for their careers. The Foundation also provides opportunities for internships, study abroad and graduate school funding, as well as a dynamic network of over 3,300 Cooke Scholars and alumni.

Nearly 1,700 students, from over 380 community colleges applied for the 2024 scholarship. Applicants were evaluated on their academic prowess, financial need, persistence, community service, and leadership qualities.

“It is an honor to receive this award, which will assist me as I continue my education,” said Mr. Gonzalez. “I only had a GED when I came to Suffolk. Everything I have accomplished has been because of this school and its amazing staff and faculty.”

Mr. Gonzalez has consistently earned Dean’s List recognition and will graduate with a 4.0 GPA. At Suffolk, he held key student leadership positions including PTK Chapter President, President of Student Veterans of America, Honors Club President, and History Club Vice President. Mr. Gonzalez is a Get There From Here scholar, and an EOP tutor. He has also been named New York State’s 2024 New Century Transfer Scholar. Over 2,200 students from more than 1,300 college campuses nationwide were nominated and only one scholar per state is selected in recognition of their academic accomplishments, leadership, and how they extend their talents beyond the classroom. Mr. Gonzalez is also the recipient of the prestigious David R. Pierce Scholarship, presented to a scholar selected from among the year’s Phi Theta Kappa All-USA Academic Team. As the recipient, he was the featured national speaker at the American Association of Community College's Annual Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a veteran of both the US Army and the US Marine Corps. Mr. Gonzalez has been accepted into both Columbia and Princeton and plans to study history.

"We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Joseph for achieving this remarkable honor, which reflects not only his exceptional accomplishments but also brings great pride to Suffolk County Community College," stated Dr. Edward Bonahue, Suffolk County Community College President.

About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling approximately 21,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood and Riverhead. Suffolk offers the Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees, as well as a variety of certificate programs. Offering affordable college tuition, a highly respected Honors program, workforce training programs, extensive extracurricular activities, championship athletic teams, and numerous transfer programs, Suffolk is a first-choice college for Long Island students. Visit us online at sunysuffolk.edu.

About the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded almost $282 million in scholarships to more than 3,300 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $133 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org.