Pima Community College Graduate Malyssa Shaw Wins Prestigious $55K - Per Year - Scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Only 90 winners chosen from community colleges across the nation
Tucson, AZ - Recent Pima Community College graduate Malyssa Shaw has been awarded the highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, valued at up to $55,000 per year for up to three years. The scholarship will support her continued education at a four-year institution, marking a milestone in a journey defined by perseverance, healing and academic excellence.
Malyssa graduated this spring with Honors, earning an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts focusing on English and creative writing. As a first-generation, low-income and non-traditional student, she described the scholarship as “life changing.” It has made possible what once felt impossible and has given her the option to continue her education wherever she chooses.
“I wasn't entirely sure, at one point in time, how feasible it would be to pursue higher education, to get my bachelor’s degree, to go on to even get a graduate degree,” Malyssa said.
Originally from California, Malyssa moved with her mother to Tucson during the COVID-19 pandemic after enduring immense personal hardship, including dealing with trauma as a victim of serious crimes.
A “gap year” after high school to recuperate became several years before Malyssa applied to Pima almost on a whim. She credits Pima’s welcoming and supportive environment with helping her to heal and reset her future.
“Actually, there was a time I thought I wouldn’t even reach my twenties,” Malyssa said. “I sought meaningful healing and recovery and then I enrolled in Pima Community College in the summer of 23 and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.”
At Pima, Malyssa said, “I was encouraged to pursue opportunities I never thought I could, and I made connections with faculty and classmates that have changed my life.”
Prior to winning the Cooke Scholarship award, Malyssa also was named as an All-Arizona Academic Scholar, which provides a two-year scholarship waiver to Arizona’s in-state universities. To apply for the award, Malyssa was required to complete an “endeavor project,” in which the student identifies a community problem and works to address it.
With the rollout of generative Artificial Intelligence, Malyssa was concerned about the possible misuse of AI to create non-consensual intimate images and video of women and children. She wrote a research paper about how AI was being used to harm children and presented it in an open session of the Tucson Unified School District board. The district’s senior director of technology was impressed and invited Malyssa to join the district’s AI Policy Task Force.
“You’re nervous, shaking, you're not sure if you're going to be heard. And then afterwards, you are, and something incredible happens,” Malyssa said.
In addition to Malyssa serving on the TUSD task force, she also volunteers with the Pima County Attorney’s Office as a victim advocate, helping victims navigate the criminal justice system.
“We help with emotional support and advocating for them because there’s a lot that goes on,” she said.
Malyssa plans to transfer to a four-year university where she hopes to double major in English and Sociology, with the long-term goal of attending law school. Her dream is to advocate for victims of crimes, influence policy and use her education to help others overcome adversity.
“I want my story to show others that healing is possible and that they can build a life they’re proud of, no matter where they started,” she said.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and generous scholarships in the nation for community college transfer students. It provides funding for tuition, living expenses, books and other fees. Applicants were evaluated based on their academic achievement, unmet financial need, persistence and leadership qualities.
The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 per year toward tuition, living expenses, books and required fees.
Additionally, Cooke Scholars are welcomed into the thriving Cooke community and network, receive comprehensive educational and career advising, and are eligible for internship and graduate school funding from the Foundation.
Malyssa is one of only 90 scholars selected nationwide from a pool of 1,600 applicants. She is only the sixth ever from Pima to win the award, although the school has had many semifinalists.
Contact:
Justin Kree
Director Media Relations
520-710-7170 (cell)
jkree@pima.edu