Shawna Yellowhair, a sophomore at The University of New Mexico Gallup campus, was recently named a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s prestigious Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.
She was selected from nearly 1,500 students representing 369 two-year colleges in 45 states.
A graduate of Window Rock High School, Yellowhair will earn an Associate of Arts degree in business administration from UNM-Gallup in May. She plans to transfer to a four-year institution to complete her studies in either accounting or finance.
She credits her family for supporting her educational decisions.
“I always knew I would study business,” Yellowhair said. “My mom works in the office of the comptroller within the executive branch of the Navajo Nation in Window Rock. My dad retired as a Navajo Nation council delegate and worked within the judicial branch for 32 years.”
The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides financial assistance, advising support and access to activities with other scholarship recipients. Selection criteria include high academic achievement, financial need, community service and demonstration of strong leadership skills. The 75 scholarship winners will be announced in April.
