By Kevin Romero
Kevin Romero is a student at Amherst University and a 2025 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholar.
I was walking through the Boston airport when the email arrived. I had just taken my phone off airplane mode and saw a notification from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. I opened the email in the middle of the terminal and read the word “Congratulations!”
I was selected as a Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholar.
I immediately called my mom, who started crying. Then, I spotted the woman who had been sitting next to me on the plane. We had spent the flight talking about my education and the scholarship, and she had wished me luck. When I shared the news, she congratulated me, handed me $50, and told me to celebrate with my friend I was in town to visit. That moment – that genuine moment – will always stay with me.
I grew up in Hollywood, Fla., the middle of three brothers. I’m a first-generation college student and I worked at a family restaurant all throughout high school. Growing up, my parents worked long hours at restaurant jobs, too, and they always encouraged me to pursue a college education and the opportunity it created.
In high school, I earned a medical assisting certification and initially planned to pursue medicine. Some clinical experience helped me realize that the field was not the right fit, so I chose community college as an affordable place to explore other interests. Enrolling in Broward College became one of the most transformative experiences of my life. My classmates included recent high school graduates, parents returning to school, students changing careers, and adults pursuing degrees after years away from the classroom. Their stories showed me how many different paths can lead to higher education.
I joined Phi Theta Kappa because I was drawn to an organization that recognized academic achievement while encouraging members to serve their communities. During my first semester, I became Vice President of Fellowship. By my second semester, I was President of my PTK chapter. It gave me opportunities to lead and connect with other students. It also connected me with professors and advisors who encouraged me to think more boldly about my own future.
I learned about the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship through Broward’s Honors College and PTK’s scholarship resources. At first, I did not believe I was a competitive candidate. I had completed only one full semester at Broward when it was time to apply, although dual enrollment and Advanced Placement credits had put me close to finishing my associate degree. My advisors challenged my doubts. “Don’t discredit yourself,” they told me. “Just submit the application.” And I did.
After taking a campus tour, I decided to enroll at Amherst College. I am now studying psychology and contributing to research examining the developmental effects of ethnic studies curricula on middle and high school students. Our team plans to publish its findings and develop policy briefs for educators, students, and policymakers. I have also joined Amherst’s concert choir and will travel with the group to Italy—my first trip across the Atlantic.
These are opportunities I could not have imagined when I began at Broward, unsure of what I wanted to study. PTK helped me become a student who seeks out opportunities and gives back to my community. The Cooke Scholarship has given me the support and freedom to continue my journey.
