COD Alum Receives Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship

GLEN ELLYN, Ill., April 17, 2017 -- Omar Escamilla sought out every available opportunity at College of DuPage and received several impressive awards, including the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the largest private national scholarship for two-year and community college transfer students.

College of DuPage graduate Omar Escamilla has earned the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship, providing him up to $50,000 a year for up to four years as he pursues his master’s degree. He has applied to the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and George Washington University and plans to pursue a master’s degree in International Education Development.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea739e1a-4c27-4b74-8bb4-8061ba5bafcb

Now a student at DePaul University, where he is finishing his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication and a double minor in Education Studies and Intercultural Communication, Escamilla has earned the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship. This will provide up to $50,000 a year for up to four years as he pursues a master’s degree.

“I am grateful to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for this second honor,” the Hanover Park resident said. “This will motivate me to push myself even further with my education and career.” 

In high school, Escamilla was looking forward to the experience at a four-year school but felt pressured to pick a major so he wouldn’t enter as “undecided.” He also worried about the cost of tuition and living expenses beyond the scholarships he earned.

While attending a college fair at College of DuPage, Escamilla was surprised at the size and beauty of the campus. He kept COD in the back of his mind even after being accepted at another school. When he returned to COD’s campus and spoke with current students, he decided to take a chance and switched schools.

Even before taking his first class, Escamilla learned about the College’s Living Leadership Program and attended a Leadership Retreat at George Williams College the summer before his first semester. This allowed him to meet a variety of student leaders and faculty while giving him assurance that he selected the right school.

In 2015, Escamilla was one of approximately 85 students nationwide to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which consisted of $40,000 annually for up to three years. He also was named a Fulbright Summer Institute participant and attended the Scotland Summer Institute, a five-week cultural and academic program at the University of Dundee in Dundee and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

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Press contact: Joe Moore, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, (630) 942-2371.