ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. (June 2, 2025) – Morenikeji Fashipe and Natalia Benitez Levina, both recent graduates of Rockland Community College, have been awarded the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This year, more than 1,600 students from community colleges nationwide applied to receive the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The final group of 90 Scholars was selected from a semifinalist pool of 467 applicants. The Foundation evaluated each submission based on the student’s academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, and leadership.
Fashipe and Levina are among the 90 community college students nationwide selected for this highly competitive award, which is designed to help outstanding students complete their undergraduate education with as little debt as possible. The award, which is “last dollar funding” after all institutional aid, can provide these students with as much as $55,000 a year for up to three years to complete a bachelor’s degree.
During the application process, many of this year’s recipients were supported by a faculty or staff member serving as a Campus Representative. Dr. Meghan P. Nolan, MFA, MA, PhD, Chair of the Sam Draper Honors Program and Associate Professor of English helped promote the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship and supported students who chose to apply. Her work was invaluable to the selection process.
Morenikeji Fashipe is a graduate of Rockland Community College’s Sam Draper Honors Program, where she majored in Natural and Physical Sciences. At RCC, she served as president of both the Wonder Girls Club and Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Phi Sigma Chapter, and was active as a Sustainability Club member, math tutor, student leader, mentor, and ambassador. Driven by a strong commitment to service, she organized annual food drives, supported the campus garden and daycare, and volunteered with the West Haverstraw Ambulance Corps. A vocal advocate for her peers, she brought student concerns to campus leadership and served on the Middle States and Graduation Committees. This fall, she will transfer to Binghamton University to major in Biological Sciences with a minor in Public Health, with plans to attend medical school and become an anesthesiologist.
“Morenikeji is the kind of student every educator hopes to encounter. She is intelligent, driven, and deeply compassionate,” said Meghan P. Nolan, MFA, MA, PhD, Associate Professor of English, Chair of the Sam Draper Honors Program at SUNY Rockland Community College. “She not only excelled academically, but consistently uplifted those around her through mentorship, advocacy, and service. Her impact on our campus community has been profound, and I have no doubt she will continue to do great things in the medical field and beyond.”
Natalia Benitez Levina is a Cuban-born professional pianist currently residing in Nyack, New York. A classically trained concert pianist and accompanist, she graduated from the Music Conservatory of Matanzas “EPA” in 2021. While in Cuba, she developed a passion for TV and film production, which led her to study Media Communications at Rockland Community College. Natalia joined the Sam Draper Honors Program and served as the Honors Student Assistant. She was actively involved on campus, serving as one of the Vice President of both the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s Alpha Phi Sigma Chapter and the Honors Newsletter. She participated in numerous events and competitions, including the Pioneers of Change contest, where her poem about Celia Cruz earned third place. She recently graduated with an A.S. in Communications Media Arts and a 3.98 GPA. Natalia will be attending Pace University in the fall to major in Communication and Media Studies with a minor in Arts Management. Her goal is to produce and write scripts and scores for television, blending her dual passions for music and media.
“Natalia is a rare blend of artistic talent and academic excellence,” said Meghan P. Nolan, MFA, MA, PhD, Associate Professor of English, Chair of the Sam Draper Honors Program at SUNY Rockland Community College. “Her dedication to both music and media is inspiring, and she brought that same passion and creativity to every project she touched on campus. Whether performing on stage, writing for the Honors Newsletter, or exploring new forms of storytelling, Natalia consistently impressed us with her vision, leadership, and drive. I’m excited to see how she continues to merge her talents at Pace and beyond.”
“This year’s cohort reflects the remarkable talent and determination thriving in community colleges nationwide,” said Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili, Executive Director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “As we mark 25 years of impact, we remain committed to amplifying the successes of these students and opening doors to the opportunities they deserve.”
Along with financial support, new Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of more than 3,400 Cooke Scholars and Alumni.
About the Cooke Foundation
The Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $304 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive academic advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $136 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org
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