RBC Student Named Cooke Scholarship Semifinalist
For Immediate Release: March 19, 2026
Contact: Jesse Vaughan, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer/jvaughan@rbc.edu
James Revere, a second-year student here at Richard Bland College (RBC), was named a semifinalist for the highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This fund supports the nation’s top community college students with financial need seeking to complete a bachelor’s degree at four-year colleges or universities.
“I am incredibly honored to be named a Cooke Scholarship semifinalist,” Revere said. “This recognition is a testament to the support I’ve received from my professors and mentors at Richard Bland College, and the unwavering support of my family whose strength has shaped everything I have worked so hard for.”
Selected from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants, this year’s semifinalists represent 224 community colleges across 37 states. Each was chosen through an evaluation process that assesses academic ability and achievement, perseverance and leadership.
“James is truly deserving of this honor,” said Dr. Ann Ifekwunigwe, RBC Director of University College. “His hard work, determination and commitment to excellence reflect the very best of Richard Bland College.”
The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship enables recipients to complete their bachelor’s degrees debt-free at any accredited four-year college or university in the United States. It also provides last-dollar funding of up to $55,000 per year for two to three years. The award is designed to remove financial barriers so that high-achieving community college students can transfer to and thrive at the nation’s top institutions.
“Through the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation works to ensure that exceptional community college students have the opportunities to reach their full academic potential,” said Giuseppe Basili, Executive Director at The Jack Cooke Foundation. “This year’s semifinalists reflect the remarkable talent and ambition found in community colleges nationwide.”
The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides comprehensive support that extends far beyond financial assistance, recognizing that admission and enrollment are only the beginning. Selected Cooke Transfer Scholars receive personalized educational advising from the Foundation’s Deans of Scholar Support, who guide them through the transition to a four-year institution and help prepare them for future careers.
Scholars also gain access to transformative opportunities including internships, study abroad experiences, and graduate school funding, as well as inclusion in a thriving community of more than 3,800 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni who provide mentorship and networking connections throughout their academic and professional lives.
Click here to see the full list of Cooke Transfer Scholar semifinalists. The Foundation will announce the finalists in May.
Notably, Revere is also the recipient of the RBC Endowment, Promise Scholars and Honors Program Scholarships.
