Community College of Philadelphia graduate Daniel Emdin receives highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2026

CCP media contact: 
Antwon R. Martin
armartin [at] ccp.edu (armartin[at]ccp[dot]edu)
267.666.7881

Jack Kent Cooke media contact:
Lela Randall
media [at] jkcf.org (media[at]jkcf[dot]org)
 

Daniel is the only student in Pennsylvania to earn this year’s scholarship.

PHILADELPHIA — Daniel Emdin, who graduated Community College of Philadelphia on May 2, is one of 60 high-achieving community college students selected to receive the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. He is the only student in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to receive this year’s scholarship.

The highly competitive national scholarship aims for Cooke Scholars to complete their undergraduate educations with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide Daniel with as much as $55,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree.

“The entire College community stands immensely proud of Daniel,” said Dr. Alycia Marshall, president of CCP. “I had the distinct privilege of witnessing firsthand the strength of his leadership, the clarity of his vision, and the depth of his commitment during his service as Student Government Association president and through his advocacy to elected officials. His impact on CCP is not momentary, it is lasting, and it will continue to shape CCP long after he embarks on the next chapter of his journey. We look forward with great anticipation to following his academic path and celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments that undoubtedly lie ahead.”

Daniel is one of five CCP students selected as semifinalists for the 2026 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship—the most of any community college in Pennsylvania. In 2024, his brother David Emdin received the honor.

Daniel earned his associate degree in Chemistry at CCP on May 2. During his time at the College, he received the Octavius Catto Scholarship, the Dr. Lynnette Hammond McNeal Award, the Cox-Shafter Chemistry Award, a PECO Scholarship for STEM Majors and is part of the All-PA Academic Team.

“I was extremely grateful for the CCP community,” Daniel said. “Each and every single person I interacted with from the students to administration served as contributing factor towards this achievement, so thank you to Community College of Philadelphia.”

In addition to his studies, Daniel also served as president of the Student Government Association and spent his extracurricular time volunteering and doing service work. He was president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and vice president and co-founder of CCP’s chapter of the American Chemical Society. Daniel was a Catto team captain and a student ambassador, as well as a member of the Center for Male Engagement. He also worked as a student researcher in the Biotech program at CCP.

Daniel accomplished all that and more while volunteering with the Institute of Community Engagement and Civic Leadership and mentoring with Project Career Launch Mentorship Program, a project that pairs peer mentors with high school students on the autism spectrum to help them navigate through the college/university setting.

The Cooke Foundation is committed to expanding access to high-quality, debt-free pathways for high-achieving students with financial need. While nearly 80% of community college students aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree, only 16% reach that goal within six years. The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship aims to help more students persist and complete their degrees by reducing financial barriers and providing the academic and advising support needed to navigate the transfer process.

“These Scholars reflect the depth of talent and determination found in community colleges across the country,” said Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili, Chief Executive Officer of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “They’ve demonstrated what they’re capable of, and we’re proud to help ensure that financial barriers don’t prevent them from continuing their education and realizing their full potential.”

Beyond financial support, Scholars receive personalized advising to guide their academic and professional journeys. They also gain access to a nationwide network of more than 3,400 Cooke Scholars and Alumni, along with opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school support, ensuring they have the tools needed to thrive beyond community college.

This year’s selection process drew more than 1,300 applications from community colleges across the country. The 60 new Scholars were selected from a semifinalist pool of 485 students. Applicants were evaluated based on academic achievement, perseverance, and leadership.

A complete list of the 2026 Cooke Transfer Scholar finalists and their respective community colleges can be found here. To learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, visit the website here.

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About Community College of Philadelphia 

Community College of Philadelphia is the largest public institution of higher education in the City of Philadelphia. With an open admissions policy, the College serves all who may benefit – regardless of age, income, or ability. For more than 60 years, the College has lived up to its mission and goals by providing educational access for over 750,000 Philadelphians, setting families, businesses and neighborhoods on the path of shared prosperity and opportunity. For information on the College's degree and certificate programs, workforce development strategies, and community engagement initiatives, visit ccp.edu and follow us on social media @CCPedu.