Grad Went Out on a High Note

Priya Patel closed out her final year of community college on a high note. The 2022 graduate, who earned an associate degree in science, was a semifinalist for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship (JKC).

More than 1,500 students at two-year colleges nationwide apply each year. This year's 440 semifinalists were chosen from a pool of over 1,200 applicants attending 180 community colleges in 35 states. Recipients of the scholarship win up to $55,000 to cover educational expenses - including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees - toward a bachelor's degree.

This marked the sixth consecutive year a Virginia Peninsula Community College student has been named a semifinalist. Rebecca Holmes, an alum, received the scholarship in 2018 and is College's only winner to date.

Patel moved to the United States with her parents in 2016 from their native India. Here, she discusses her background and student experience at the College, which is formerly Thomas Nelson.

Briefly describe your background … hometown, education, etc. I did half of my schooling in India and then I completed a little bit of middle school and completed high school here. (She attended Grafton Middle School and graduated from Grafton High School in 2020).

What was it like leaving your home country while still of middle school age? Everybody was friendly to me. But I was kind of felt out of place because it was so different … the environment, the culture, people that I've never seen before. But after making some friends I was able to enjoy my whole experience.

Why did you choose Virginia Peninsula Community College? My sister recommended (the College) because it was affordable for my immigrant family and for me. Plus, it was also five minutes away from my house. So, it was perfect for me.

How did you find out about the JKC scholarship? My advisor SaraLynn (Goergen) recommended that I apply. (Goergen provided a guide that was Holmes created and Patel attended Holmes' online workshop designed to help students navigate the lengthy application process).

What are your thoughts about being a semifinalist? I was excited and shocked. I did not believe that I made it that far. But I was so happy. I did not have the expectation that I would get to the semifinalist level. It's a competition for people from all around the United States. So, I did not have any expectations.

What is your advice for others seeking the scholarship? Be honest in your questions and answers. Just truly tell readers what you go through, have been through and what you really want from the scholarship.

What question on the application stood out for you? It was: Why do you want this scholarship? I replied: Having this scholarship would help my education because I'm paying for myself with a little bit of contribution from my parents. So, it would be helpful. If I don't have to work throughout my four years, I will be able to make friends. I haven't been able to communicate. I haven't been out because of COVID, and people aren't meeting in person. This would be a good chance the me to make those dreams come true.

Goergen, the College's TRiO Student Support Services counselor, was excited to learn Patel made the semifinalists' list. She has high praise for Patel.

What's your assessment of Priya Patel? Priya is one of the most talented and hard-working students that I have ever worked with. She has been heavily involved on and off campus during her time as a student and shown her commitment to excellence in all that she has done. It has been my privilege to work with her.

Why did you recommend that she apply for the scholarship? JKC looks for hard-working, motivated students who have overcome challenges to succeed. Priya exemplifies these qualities, and I knew she would be a great fit.

How do you feel about her making the semifinalists' list? I'm so proud of her and all her accomplishments during her time at (the College). I have no doubt that she will succeed and do big things.

Now participating in a paid summer program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Patel is focused on genetics research. She is among seven current and past Virginia Peninsula Community College students in the program. Called the Dream-to-Goal Summer Research Program, it provides hands-on laboratory skills, research experience, and prepares students interested in exploring research careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences for success when they transfer to a four-year school. Participants live on the VCU campus for eight weeks and then return for another eight-week session the following summer.

What are your thoughts about this experience? It's actually fun living in the city with people like me from community college sharing the same experience, studying biology, going to labs and learning new things. Me and my researcher are going to test on mice, worms, and fishes. I'm nervous actually and a little excited.

What are your goals in the summer program? My expectation is to learn more about biology. That's what I've been interested in and will maybe apply it to my future career. I am thinking about maybe doing biostatistics for my master's. Bio statisticians work with researchers to analyze the data and gather data.

Patel will attend VCU in the fall majoring in psychology and minoring in biology.