Columbia College Chicago Announces Recipients of the Chicagoland Transfer Award

News Office Staff / Jul 29, 2019

Photograph of award recipient Vashon Jordon and Columbia President Dr. Kwang-Wu Kim.Full scholarship recipient Vashon Jordan Jr. and President Kwang-wu Kim. Photo: Phil Dembinski ’08
Eleven transfer students receive renewable scholarships totaling nearly $150,000 for upcoming academic year.

CHICAGO(July 29, 2019)—Columbia College Chicago today announced the recipients of its Chicagoland Transfer Award. The award provides ten $12,000 scholarships and one full-tuition scholarship to students transferring from Chicago-area community colleges to Columbia.

This is the second year Columbia offered the merit-based scholarships, which require students to submit an essay and to hold a 3.0 grade point average. More than 70 students from 21 community colleges applied for the award.

“Our scholarship committee members were excited to see not only the level of interest from students, but the caliber of their submissions,” said Marcella David, senior vice president and provost. “We look forward to welcoming all eleven Chicagoland Transfer Award recipients and all other transfer students who have chosen Columbia to pursue their creative endeavors.”

The full-tuition scholarship was awarded to Vashon Jordan Jr., who recently graduated from Kennedy-King College with an Associate of Arts with the designation of high honors. At Columbia, Jordan plans to major in Television Production and Directing and says Columbia is right for him because of its connection to the roots and soul of Chicago.

Jordan was very involved and successful as a student at Kennedy-King College, where he was a Chicago Star Scholar, participated in numerous extracurricular activities, served as a student ambassador, and was selected for two internships. Jordan served as a press photographer for the Office of the Mayor and continues to intern as the district photographer for Chicago Public Schools. 

“For years I knew that Columbia was the school for me, I feel at home when I am on campus and around my peers,” said Jordan. “I am very honored and grateful to receive the Chicagoland Transfer Award. This scholarship will allow me to pursue my studies without the worries of financial struggle.” 

The following students each received renewable scholarships for $12,000: 

  • Kristen “Ky” Baity, Moraine Valley Community College, Television
  • Ronald “Ronny” Baker, College of DuPage, Theatre
  • Andrea Cisneros, Oakton Community College, Filmmaking
  • Austin Derrickson, College of DuPage, Game Design
  • Destiny Frangos, Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago, exploratory major
  • Joseph “Joey” Gomez, William Rainey Harper College, Design Management
  • Jennifer Pollack, College of Lake County, Graphic Design
  • Sarina Mugino, McHenry County College, Marketing
  • Jose Negrete Aviles, Harold Washington College, Traditional Animation
  • Amy Watson, South Suburban College, Music

For the 2019-20 Academic Year, transfer students will receive an average of $7,600 in institutional scholarships from Columbia. Transfer students also have access to additional aid, including Federal Pell grants and state of Illinois MAP grants. 

As part of its enrollment strategy, Columbia has partnered with six community colleges in the Chicagoland area to create guaranteed transfer agreements, creating a clear pathway toward enrollment and streamlining the transfer process.

“Columbia is dedicated to providing a transfer-friendly campus and we look forward to expanding our guaranteed transfer agreements with additional community college partners,” said Holly Herrera, associate provost of transfer initiatives and academic partnerships. 

 

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Columbia College Chicago is a private, nonprofit college offering a distinctive curriculum that blends creative and media arts, liberal arts, and business for nearly 7,000 students in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Dedicated to academic excellence and long-term career success, Columbia College Chicago creates a dynamic, challenging, and collaborative space for students who experience the world through a creative lens. For more information, visit www.colum.edu.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Lambrini Lukidis
Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications and External Relations
llukidis@colum.edu
312-369-8695

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