Two Seminole State honors students named 2019 Jack Kent Cooke Scholars

Jane Marie Lozada Foster (left) and Hayley Allison Furman were awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

Two honors students at Seminole State College were named winners of one of the nation’s most prestigious and lucrative scholarships.

Hayley Allison Furman and Jane Marie Lozada Foster were awarded the Jack Kent Cooke (JKC) Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship – worth up to $40,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university and up to $50,000 a year to pursue graduate studies. They were among an elite group of nationwide scholars selected this year to receive the award.

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Hayley Allison Furman    

Hayley Allison Furman of Sanford began studying at Seminole State in 2017 majoring in Environmental Studies.  

She plans to attend either Cornell University for their International Agriculture program or Evergreen State University for their unconventional Environmental Studies program. 

After that she plans to pursue a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in Public Policy or Environmental Law. Her top choices are Stetson University College of Law and Vermont Law School. 

“This really means that I can, not just go to any school and get a bachelor’s degree, but go to a great school and get a bachelor’s degree,” said Furman about winning the scholarship. 

Her overall career goal is to work with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to influence or create policies that will transition current controversial agricultural practices to sustainable and responsible cultivation, while supporting equitable distribution. 

Jane Marie Lozada Foster

Jane Marie Lozada Foster of Lake Mary began studying at Seminole State in the Fall of 2017 majoring in Social Science Education.  

She plans to pursue a major in social studies at Columbia University or Cornell University. After teaching history at the high school level, she hopes to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy from Harvard University. 

“Being able to go to a competitive college is amazing because I can make a bigger impact and I can work with other scholars and learn from them as well. I hope to continue what I have here at Seminole State and build a family over there as well,” said Lozada Foster. 

Her aspirations include addressing the disparities in student success among minority student populations by addressing deficiencies in public education.

All of the JKC winners show financial need and strong records of academic achievement as indicated by grades, leadership skill, awards, extraordinary service to others and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Since 2006, Seminole State has produced a total of 19 JKC scholarship recipients. 

JKC Scholarships fund the costs of attending college not covered by other financial aid, plus academic advising, stipends for internships, study abroad and opportunities to network with other JKC scholars and alumni.