Temya Jackson Long, a student at GateWay Community College is one of 60 high-achieving community college students from across the country selected to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. 

The national scholarship aims for Cooke Scholars to complete their undergraduate education with as little debt as possible.

Out of 60 recipients, Long is the only Arizona student to receive the award.

This summer, Long plans to intern at Phillips Medisize as a full-time Quality Engineering Intern before continuing her education at Arizona State University.

Long, a Phoenix native, is graduating from GateWay this week with her Associate of Science in Engineering. She will transfer to the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University and study Biomedical Engineering.

The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship can provide Long with as much as $55,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree.

The Cooke Foundation is committed to expanding access to high-quality, debt-free pathways for high-achieving students with financial need. While nearly 80% of community college students aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree, only 16% reach that goal within six years. 

"Sometimes, as a professor, we get to witness the exceptional success of a high-achieving student,” said Chamberlain “It's always an honor, and in Temya's case, she's connected so deeply across the Maricopa District and at our college," Chamberlain said. 

Long encourages other students to get involved as well.

“Maximize your time and opportunities here. Don’t just go to class and go home. Although it may be hard at first, there are spaces that will be for you and can help you grow in your pursuit of education and career," Long said.