Mang Cin, a recent graduate of Dallas College’s Richland Campus, has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. She is one of just 90 community college students nationwide to receive the award, chosen from a competitive pool of 1,600 applicants and 467 semifinalists.
The scholarship provides up to $55,000 per year for up to three years to support the completion of a bachelor’s degree.
Cin, who completed her associate degree in computer science this month, plans to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, or Carnegie Mellon University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in the same field.
Originally from Myanmar, Cin’s family left the country when she was a child to seek better educational opportunities. Her interest in computers began in elementary school in the U.S., when her ESL teacher introduced her to Istation, an online educational platform.
At Dallas College, Cin played a key role in launching the first affiliate chapter of the Society of Women Engineers at Richland Campus. She also participated in the STEM League, Honors Program, and Phi Theta Kappa, and presented research at the Great Plains Honors Conference at the University of North Texas.
“Sometimes when I wake up, it hits me: College is paid for,” said Cin, describing the scholarship as a surreal experience.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation celebrates its 25th year of supporting exceptional community college students. “This year’s cohort reflects the remarkable talent and determination thriving in community colleges nationwide,” said Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili, executive director of the foundation.
