Two Crafton Hills Students Named Semifinalists for Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship

Publish Date: April 25, 2025

Crafton Hills College students Vanessa Vincent and Sam Tuckett were recently named semifinalists for the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, an award designed to support standout community college students as they transfer to four-year universities.

This year, 467 semifinalists were selected from a pool of more than 1,600 applicants representing 212 community colleges across 43 states. The Cooke Foundation’s review process looks closely at academic excellence, persistence through personal and financial challenges, and the ability to lead and serve others. Final scholarship recipients will be announced in May.
 
For Vanessa, the moment she found out was unforgettable.

“When I received my first email informing me that I had been selected as a semifinalist, I was overjoyed,” she said. “Then, I received another email congratulating me on officially becoming a Cooke Scholar. The following day, I saw the list of students from around the world who had been selected. Seeing my name among them was incredible. I felt so proud and grateful to have made it this far.” 

Vanessa came to Crafton with a nontraditional path, returning to school in her 50s after previously working as a flight attendant. She said her journey at Crafton has been “nothing short of remarkable,” despite early doubts about college and how she’d manage it all.

Vanessa recalled feeling completely lost when she first registered at Crafton, until she met Interim Financial Aid Coordinator Manny Villegas. 

“He encouraged me to apply for FAFSA even though I didn’t think I’d qualify,” she said. “Then I met Adjunct Counselor Shella Scott, who believed in me and pushed me to take more classes.” 

After that, the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) team helped guide Vanessa the rest of the way. 

Vanessa credits many of her professors for helping her succeed while managing dyslexia and PTSD. She shared how Professor of Kinesiology Elizabeth Johnson’s yoga classes taught her breathing techniques that helped her manage anxiety, and how Crafton’s Dr. Christie Firtha, professor of English, went out of her way to meet with her over Zoom and support her writing process.

Crafton’s faculty has even transformed Vanessa’s approach to politics.

“Professor Kenyon Callahan made politics engaging. I never cared for it before, but now I watch debates and even voted this year,” she added.

Vanessa plans to major in psychology and sociology, with the goal of returning to aviation and using her studies to support nonprofit organizations, especially those serving women’s shelters.

“Though I’m 54, I believe it’s never too late to learn and grow,” she said.
 
 Sam's journey to Crafton also came out of a turning point. He had worked in construction most of his life and returned to school simply looking for a different path. He took a geology class that happened to fit his schedule, and everything changed.

“I ended up loving it so much that I became a geology major,” he said.

Sam’s excitement for the subject was sparked by Crafton’s Geology Professor Richard Hughes III, who encouraged him to pursue undergraduate research and present at conferences, including the national meeting of the Geological Society of America.

Sam says the support he’s received from his instructors has been key to his success. “Dr. Kimberly Salt, professor of chemistry, got me excited about the subject and how it connects to both my major and everyday life,” he said. “And somehow, my math professor, Jillian Robertson, made Calculus II, Calculus III, and differential equations fun, which is something I’m eternally grateful for.”

Judy Cannon, Crafton’s Honors coordinator, encouraged Sam to apply for the Cooke Scholarship in the first place, and Krysten Audibert, director of the STEM Center, helped secure funding for him to print research posters and attend out-of-town conferences.

As someone who is financially independent, Sam said being selected for this scholarship would help take a lot of pressure off. He plans to keep studying geology after transferring and hopes to one day return to a community college classroom as a professor.

“I want to inspire students the way my professors inspired me,” he said.

Crafton’s Dean of Student Services and Counseling, Dr. Ivan Peña, said both students reflect the kind of drive and passion the college strives to support.

“Being named a semifinalist for this scholarship is an incredible achievement that reflects Vanessa’s and Sam’s dedication and academic excellence,” said Peña. “We are absolutely thrilled for them and proud to be part of their journey. Our faculty and staff are here to support them every step of the way as they continue moving forward.” 

Both students offered advice to others who might be considering applying for scholarships.

“My advice is simple,” said Vanessa. “Be kind, ask questions and build relationships. When a professor goes out of their way to help you, write them a thank-you or a letter to their dean. Those things matter.” 

Sam’s advice? 

“Apply. The worst answer you can get is no."