Two Miramar College students have been named semifinalists for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Award. Calvin Hill and Michael Raska are among 459 semifinalists named across the United States of America. This year, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation received 1,700 applications from students that attend 215 community colleges in 38 states.
Calvin Hill is a 2021 graduate of Del Norte High school and a second year student studying Economics at Miramar College. Hill is part of the San Diego Community College’s Pathway Program and was accepted to UC San Diego where he will study Economics. Hill is also completing an Associates Degree for Transfer, and with it, acceptance into San Diego State University. The first generation college student is the oldest of three children born to a single mother. Hill describes himself as a role model to his two younger twin siblings. “I wanted to show my siblings that they can do anything in education,” said Hill, who recently paused his work career to finish his studies and the results were straight A’s.
Michael Raska graduated from Miramar College in May 2022. Raska received his Associates Degree for Transfer in History. While at Miramar College, he achieved a 3.9 grade point average. He has been accepted to San Diego State University where he will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Military History starting this fall. Raska calls himself “a real life Jimmy the Jet” after serving in the United States Navy as an aviation structural hydraulics mechanic and plane captain airman in Strike Fighter Squadron 22. He routinely helped launch air strikes off the deck of the USS Carl Vinson on terrorist targets in Syria and Iraq from 2013-2015. He trained for combat at the Navy’s Top Gun Flight School.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation awards community college students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership, service, and a determination to complete their bachelor’s degrees at top four-year institutions.
The Cooke Transfer Scholarship is designed to create a clear pathway to a four-year degree by offering up to $55,000 per year along with academic advising and access to a network of peers.
The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship offers unparalleled support to community college students. In addition to the generous financial support, selected Cooke Transfer Scholars will receive educational advising from the Foundation’s Deans of Scholar Support to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year school and preparing for their future endeavors. They will also have access to opportunities for internships, study abroad, graduate school funding, and the incomparable connection to a robust network of more than 3,000 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni.
The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipients will be announced in April.
Miramar College last had a student win the honor in 2017.
Photo: Michael Raska (left) Calvin Hill (right)
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