Kaba Aicha Diaba Diakite
Contact: Debra Dennis; ddennis@dallascollege.edu
For immediate release — March 24, 2022
(DALLAS) — Three Dallas College students are among this year’s finalists for Jack Kent Cooke scholarships, which help community college students with financial need complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year institutions. They are Kaba Aicha Diaba Diakite and Zainab Siddiqui, who both attend Brookhaven Campus, and Brandy Merrell, a student at North Lake Campus.
Zainab Siddiqui
The three are among 440 semifinalists selected from 1,200 applicants attending 180 community colleges, according to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
Brandy Merrell
“The past year has been particularly difficult as students continued to navigate the complexities of hybrid learning, the demands of family care, and disrupted work schedules,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “We are so proud of these semifinalists for their perseverance and achievements at their community colleges.”
Those chosen for scholarships will receive comprehensive educational support from the Foundation to guide them through transitioning to a four-year school along with help preparing for their careers. Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will also receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of nearly 3,000 fellow Cooke Scholars and alumni.
The winners of the highly competitive scholarships will be announced in early May.
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