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President’s Awards
The $3,500 President’s Awards are presented annually to graduating students who have overcome adversity and shown perseverance in seeking an education at De Anza.
Kathryn Cooke
Kathryn Cooke wasn’t always interested in cars, but she likes doing puzzles, solving problems and figuring out how things work.
The 36-year-old military veteran and single mom is one of two recipients of this year’s President’s Award. She’s graduating with an
associate degree in AutomotiveTechnology and has been accepted into De Anza’s new bachelor’s degree program in AutomotiveTechnology Management
– designed for students who want to advance into management of an automotive business.
“It’s a dream of mine to be able to educate customers, especially women, so they feel like they know what they’re getting and don’t have to worry about spending money with someone they don’t trust,” Cooke said.
“Without a doubt, she’d be good at her dream,” said AutoTech chair Dave Capitolo, who said Cooke has been “a great student” and a leader who looks out for her classmates.
Cooke tried college once before, after high school, but left to pursue a military career. Although she wanted to train as a police officer, she was assigned to a U.S. Army mechanics school and decided, “OK. I’ll do my best and get through it.”
After 13 years in the Army National Guard, Cooke
was stationed in the Bay Area when she heard other mechanics praising De Anza’s automotive program. She enrolled full-time in 2022 and liked it so much that she’s earned three different automotive degrees.
“The people in the program are what make you want to keep coming every day,” she said. “The teachers and staff are really supportive of their students.They want you to succeed.”
Cooke was active in the AutoTech student club and
an advisory committee for the new mural outside the Veterans Resource Center, where she says veterans’ counselor LanTruong played a vital role in “keeping me on track” to achieving her goals.
Jennifer Mejia Llamas
Jennifer Mejia Llamas is heading for UCLA this fall with two associate degrees under her belt and a long-term goal
of getting a master’s degree in public policy. She wants to work in local government and help address the need for
affordable housing and related issues.
The 20-year-old President’s Award recipient knows what it’s like to worry about housing. She moved a lot when she was a child, and had to help translate important documents for her Spanish-speaking parents.
“I remember how stressed I was, and I know there are so many other people who are experiencing much worse,” she said.
A first-generation college student, Mejia came to De Anza to save money. She credits her counselor and instructors with helping her decide what to do next. “I always had these passions to address social issues,” she said, “but I didn’t realize what I could do with them.”
FirstYear Experience (FYE) counselor Jorge Morales helped Mejia learn about careers and choose classes to match her interests. Political Science instructor Jim Nguyen encouraged her to get involved in community affairs, while Political Science instructor Bob Stockwell showed her that it’s OK to seek help and ask questions in class.
During her time in college, Mejia worked with an immigrant rights project at the nonprofit Sacred Heart Community Service. She also was an intern for San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, conducted community outreach for U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo’s campaign and worked as a youth program leader for theYMCA of Silicon Valley. On campus, she’s been a peer mentor for the FYE program.
“Jennifer is fiercely committed to social justice and service to others,” Stockwell said. “We need more like her.”
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