Columbia State Community College student and Phi Theta Kappa member Heather Scanlon has recently been named a national semifinalist for the 2025 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. 

Scanlon, who is pursuing an Associate of Science degree in management at Columbia State, is one of 467 community college students from around the country to become a semifinalist. If awarded the scholarship and after all other institutional aid is applied, Scanlon could receive up to $55,000 per year for two to three years towards a bachelor’s degree at any accredited four-year undergraduate school.

This scholarship is offered to international members of PTK through a partnership with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

“She is only the third Columbia State student to become a semifinalist over the past 15 years,” said Mandy Carter-Lowe, Columbia State associate professor of biology and PTK advisor. “Regardless of the final outcome, this is a huge honor.”

Scanlon was selected out of more than 1,600 applicants across 43 states who showed outstanding academic prowess, direction, determination and other factors.

"I am honored to be named as a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship,” Scanlon said. “As an adult learner attending college later in life, I am extremely grateful for the support, guidance and opportunities that I have experienced as a student at Columbia State. The support of my professors and the staff at Columbia State have helped me successfully navigate the path towards achieving my degree. If I am chosen as a finalist for the JKC Transfer Scholarship, I hope to use it towards earning my Supply Chain Management degree to make a difference by shortening supply chains to eradicate food insecurity and waste in America.”

The Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipients will be announced in May.

PTK is regarded as the first honor society to recognize the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges. PTK’s membership is estimated at 4.4 million worldwide. 

Columbia State’s chapter of PTK, Beta Kappa Theta, was chartered in 2000 and has since achieved Five Star status many times. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is limited to roughly the top 10% of students based on academic achievements.