Heisenberg Francis walked down the hall and up the stairs at Mitchell Hall. Light poured in through the skylights of the Columbus State Community College building where he spent hours studying and spending time with his friends.
“I’m really going to miss this place,” Francis said, taking in the moment.
Francis never expected to attend Columbus State, more than 8,000 miles away from his hometown in Tanzania. The 23-year-old didn’t expect to attend college in the U.S. for that matter. But his aunt, who was living in Columbus at the time and visiting Francis’ family, saw his academic ambition during his senior year of high school. She suggested he go to college in Ohio.
It was a risk — moving to another country for college, but it was one that Francis said paid off.
Francis is one of just 90 community college students nationwide and the only recipient from Ohio to be awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship this year. The scholarship is valued at $55,000 annually for up to three years for students to continue their education.
The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, named for former Los Angeles Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke, is a highly selective scholarship for community college students seeking to complete a bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities. Each recipient has access to financial support for up to three years, college planning support and ongoing advising.
“This year’s cohort reflects the remarkable talent and determination thriving in community colleges nationwide,” Giuseppe Basili, Executive Director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, said in a statement. “As we mark 25 years of impact, we remain committed to amplifying the successes of these students and opening doors to the opportunities they deserve.”
More than 1,600 community college students nationwide applied this year for the scholarship. Applicants were evaluated based on their academic achievement, unmet financial need, persistence and leadership qualities.
While nearly 80% of community college students aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree, only 16% do so within six years, according to a 2025 study by the Aspen Institute.
Francis studied chemistry at Columbus State. He plans to continue in that field at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He aspires to work in health care as a pharmaceutical researcher.
Columbus State enrolled 219 international students last fall, a record for the college and a 74% increase over the previous year. Francis said he was grateful for how much support he received from Columbus State as an international student.
“It made me feel at home knowing there were also people not from here pursuing their education,” he said.
Francis got involved at Columbus State by joining the STEM Club and later became a Peer Learning Success Leader to assist other students. He credits Angela Howard, Biological & Physical Sciences associate professor, with making this scholarship award possible.
Francis said he never knew if he could make it to the U.S. or how he would be able to afford a bachelor’s degree.
“I didn’t know what was going to happen. I could only work hard and hope for the best,” he said. “Knowing that I will be paying almost nothing for my education, it is exhilarating.”
Higher education reporter Sheridan Hendrix can be reached at shendrix@dispatch.com and on Signal at @sheridan.120. You can follow her on Instagram at @sheridanwrites.
