Alexandra Badaway, a business administration student at Middlesex College, has been named a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s highly competitive Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship — one of the most prestigious honors available to community college students in the U.S.
Badaway, a resident of North Brunswick, was selected from among thousands of applicants nationwide. The scholarship provides up to $55,000 per year for two to three years to support the completion of a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution. Scholars also receive personalized advising, college transfer guidance, and access to a national community of high-achieving peers.
“Alexandra’s nomination as a Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship semifinalist speaks volumes about her determination, leadership, and academic excellence,” said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick. “This highly selective scholarship recognizes exemplary community college students, and we are incredibly proud of all that Alexandra has accomplished.”
A nontraditional student, Badaway has juggled a demanding academic schedule while working full time and supporting her family. She once completed 19 credits in a single semester while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and working 40 hours a week. Her achievements also include being named a 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar, one of just 210 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members nationwide to receive the $1,000 award.
Badaway is a Bonner Leader, an EOF Scholar, and president of the Juvenile Justice Reform Club. She is also a member of the Justice Scholars program and the America Needs You (A.N.Y.) Fellows Program, which provides mentorship and support for first-generation college students. She regularly volunteers to help the homeless through Daisy Grant Cares, a nonprofit based in Essex County.
“Receiving the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship wouldn’t just relieve a financial burden — it would make my dreams possible,” said Badaway. “It would allow me to choose the institution that best aligns with my goals without worrying about affordability, and it would empower me to give back to the communities that have shaped me.”
Finalists will be announced in May. To view the full list of semifinalists, visit the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website.
