Class of 2026 Salutatorian Mel Mancheno Awarded National Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Mancheno will receive up to $55k per year from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation in pursuit of their bachelor’s degree at Princeton University.
(l-r) Middlesex College President Mark McCormick, Mel Mancheno, Middlesex College Director of Academic, Career and Transfer Advising Ria Gaviria, History and Social Sciences Professor Jonathan Finnerty
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is one of the most competitive scholarships for the nation’s top community college students seeking their bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution. Out of more than 1,300 applicants, Middlesex College Class of 2026 Salutatorian Mel Mancheno of Dunellen was selected as one of 60 recipients, and one of three in the state of New Jersey.
The life-changing scholarship provides recipients with up to $55,000 per year as well as ongoing support through advising, internship opportunities, and access to a nationwide network of over 3,900 Cooke Scholars and alumni.
“[This scholarship] means never having to stress about bills, utilities, and groceries while doing the work I do at school and outside of it. It’s a colossal financial weight off my shoulders,” said Mancheno. “But what is maybe even more exciting for me is working alongside other Cooke Scholars. The places they go are wide and inspiring—scientists, philosophers, artists, politicians—it’s exciting to envision what we could accomplish with such dynamic perspectives and disciplines.”
Middlesex College President Mark McCormick notified Mancheno of their award while bestowing them with the Salutatorian medal at the 2026 Middlesex College Commencement ceremony.
“Being selected for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship out of a national pool of highly qualified applicants is a testament to Mel’s commitment to academic excellence and potential as a scholar,” said McCormick. “We are incredibly proud to claim Mel as an alumnus Middlesex College, and I have no doubt they will continue to inspire us with their achievements.”
Mancheno is preparing to attend Princeton University in the Fall.
“A few years ago, I wasn’t even sure college would pan out for me. Receiving this award was an affirmation for me that with real effort, and some mentorship, I could make it and excel,” said Mancheno. “More deeply, it felt like an affirmation of everything I could be and could do—if I could get to this point, where else might I take myself?”
In addition to participating in the Middlesex College Honors Program, Mancheno runs their own non-profit devoted to issues connected to queer individuals and sits on the National Youth Advisory Council as an advocate for teenage homelessness concerns.
Mancheno plans to continue studying psychology and pursue research with transgender populations at Princeton’s Human Diversity Lab and hopes to one day become a clinical psychologist and writer. As for right now, Mancheno is just filled with gratitude.
“I’m eternally grateful to my personal counselor, Sheema Majiduddin, my professors, Cristóbal Espinoza-Wulach and Leslie Simon, and my incredible Princeton TSI peers and mentors for believing in me and what I could accomplish,” said Mancheno. “They gave me the skills and attitude to be able to pursue my passions relentlessly.”
Mancheno also credits the Middlesex College community for supporting students to reach their goals.
“I’m grateful for community college,” said Mancheno. “With no exaggeration, Middlesex College has given me and so many others a second chance at education, at work, at life—particularly at a time when higher education felt completely out of reach for me. It’s hard to imagine what my life would be like without the support of this place and the amazing people this College has given me. I’m beyond proud to have been a student here.”
For a complete list of this year’s Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship finalists, visit https://www.jkcf.org/our-stories/2026-transfer-scholarship-finalists/.
