Essex County College Students Nab Highly Competitive Scholarships

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — “Did this really happen?”

Those were the words of Essex County College student John Nwankwo when he learned that recipients of the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholarship, which will award him up to $120,000 to continue his education after he earns his associate’s degree.

According to a school news release, Nwankwo and fellow Essex County College student Leonardo Ruales were recently named the 16th and 17th enrollees at the school to earn the Cooke award, the most of any New Jersey community college. Nationally, there are only 47 transfer scholarship recipients for 2018 out of the nearly 2,500 community college students who applied.

Essex County College maintains campuses in Newark, West Caldwell and Cedar Grove.

Interestingly, Ruales (mathematics) and Nwankwo (engineering) have Cornell University at the top of their transfer list. Both said the scholarship will afford them additional flexibility as they explore their options, school administrators said.

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For Ruales, the scholarship is another milestone in a journey that began with his dedicated study in English as a Second Language classes. He plans to major in physics and minor in computer engineering when he transfers after graduation, school administrators said.

“I really don’t have any words for this,” Ruales said. “I have received such wonderful support from faculty and friends, which has allowed me to grow. I really appreciate all of this.”

Nwankwo said that he used to be “scared for his education” because he believed his financial situation would have made him settle for less after graduating Essex County College. He plans to pursue Electrical and Computer Engineering upon his transfer.

Professor Ladylease White, director and founder of the college’s Honors Program, first met Nwankwo last year on a study abroad trip to Cuba, which was sponsored by the school’s Africana Institute.

“She told me I would be a good candidate for the Cooke award, although I really didn’t know anything about it,” Nwankwo recalled with a smile.

“I’m very proud of John and Leo, as well as all my students in the program,” White said. “They are some of the most dedicated students we have.”

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Photos: Essex County College