Two Broward College Graduates Earn Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fort Lauderdale, Fl. (May 19, 2016) – Broward College graduates Sergey Sterlyadev and Ihsane Benkhadra were awarded the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship to complete their bachelor's degree.  In celebration, Broward College President J. David Armstrong, Jr. and Honors District Director Sheila Jones recently surprised each student with the news.

"Broward College has a proud history of being second in the nation for the number of Jack Kent Cooke scholars that have come from our humble institution, and we could not be more proud to have these two students join their prestigious ranks," said President Armstrong. "I look forward to following their academic careers and celebrating their achievements as they continue their education and pursue their dreams."

Sergey Sterlyadev moved to the United States from Russia in September, 2013 with the goal of pursing his education and the dream of earning a degree in economics and mathematics.  He is an honors college graduate that has been accepted to multiple prestigious universities, including Northwestern University and Brown University. His goal is to eventually start a career in private equity or become an entrepreneur.

Ihsane Benkhadra was raised in Morocco and moved to the United States at the age of 14. High academic achievements run in the family, as her sister Malak was recognized as a Jack Kent Cooke scholar last year.  Her plans to attend Harvard University with the goal of becoming a successful psychiatrist specializing in depression and mental disorders.

Each year, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation provides up to $40,000 to top community college students with plans to continue their education. Criteria for recognition include exceptional academic ability and achievements, persistence, leadership, a desire to help others and financial need. Each award is intended to cover a portion of each student's educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, book and required fees –to achieve a bachelor's degree.  Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships he or she may receive. 

Including Sterlyadev and Benkhadra, Broward College has had 18 students awarded with this scholarship since it began in 2002.  Other scholarship recipients include – 2004: Sarah Wiggill; 2006: Sally-Anne McDonnell; 2007: Michelle Mills and Ben Walker; 2008: Paola Mariselli and Sarah Santos; 2010: Whitney Johnston; 2011: Faithful Okoye; 2012: Ronald Bray and Joseph O'Neill; 2013: Miklos Haranghy and Duckenson Joseph; 2014: Paul Harvel; and 2015: Jarredd Simpson, David Millar and Malak Benkhadra. 

For more information, contact Lesli Cartaya Franco at 954-201-7556 or LFranco@broward.edu.