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Udya Dewanamuni

Udya Dewanamuni

Udya Dewanamuni, a Suffolk County Community College Honor’s Program student and NSF-I-SUCCESS STEM scholar in both chemistry and physics from Ronkonkoma, is one of only 90 high-achieving community college students nationwide selected to receive the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, a highly competitive national scholarship that provides up to $55,000 annually toward completion of a bachelor’s degree. This is the largest private scholarship awarded to community college transfer students in the country. Udya is the thirteenth Jack Kent Cooke scholar in the college’s 66-year history.

Beyond funding, Jack Kent Cooke Scholars receive personalized advising to guide their academic and professional journeys. Scholars 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 every tool needed to thrive beyond community college.

This year’s selection process drew more than 1,600 applications from community colleges across the nation. The 90 new Scholars were selected from a semifinalist pool of 467 students. Applicants were evaluated based on their academic achievement, unmet financial need, persistence, and leadership qualities.

A Physics major, Udya holds a 4.0 GPA and has earned consistent recognition on the Dean’s List for two years. She is a Get There From Here scholar, an Honors Program student and serves as Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa. She serves as a Student Government Senator and President of the Math Club. An NFS-I-SUCCESS STEM scholar and tutor in both chemistry and physics, Udya has engaged in interdisciplinary research projects with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, Boston University, and the Mathematics Department at Suffolk. She is also a recipient of numerous awards, most notably the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar, PTK All-State Academic Team, and the winner of the PTK NY Region Nontraditional Student Award. In the fall, she will be studying Chemical and Biological Engineering and is currently awaiting final admissions decisions from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, and Stanford.

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Udya for achieving this remarkable honor, which reflects not only her exceptional accomplishments but also brings great pride to Suffolk County Community College,” stated Dr. Edward Bonahue, Suffolk County Community College President.

“Udya is the epitome of a great student. From the moment she started in our program she took advantage of all opportunities we have to offer and not only succeeded but thrived. She not only celebrated her own success, but she used her experiences to encourage others. According to Deanna Downs, Coordinator of the Physical Science Learning Center, Udya is the most sought-after tutor and students regularly praise both her deep understanding of physics and chemistry and her ability to break down complex topics with clarity. Udya’s impact reaches far beyond her own academic success, and she has left a meaningful legacy that will continue to inspire long after she graduates,” said Sean Tvelia, Professor and Academic Chair of the Physical Sciences Department at Suffolk County Community College.

“Being selected as a Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholar is an incredible honor that allows me to continue my academic journey towards becoming a physician-scientist,” said Udya Dewanamuni. “This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a reflection of the amazing support of my community, and it motivates me to keep striving for excellence while helping others achieve their dreams as well. Ultimately, this scholarship empowers me to keep moving forward, aiming to become the best version of myself daily!”

About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 21,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With approximately 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school to college and into careers.

About the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded almost $304 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $136 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org

Suffolk County Community College students:  Udya Dewanamuni; Carolina Hernandez Alvarez; Julia Heller-Bomba;Nancy Lorme; Nina Kezys and Brianna Calle Boror. Photos courtesy of SCCC

Six Suffolk County Community College students have been named 2025 PTK All-State Scholars. The students are: Brianna Calle Boror, an Eastern Campus Education major from Shirley; Udya Dewanamuni, an Ammerman Campus Physics major from Ronkonkoma; Julia Heller-Bomba, a Michael J. Grant Campus Creative Writing major from East Northport; Carolina Hernandez Alvarez, an Eastern Campus Accounting major from Riverhead; Nina Kezys, a Michael J.  Grant Campus Psychology major from East Northport and Nancy Lorme, an Ammerman Campus Accounting major from Holtsville.

Among them, Nina Kezys, was recently selected for the prestigious 2025 All-USA Academic Team, one of only 20 students nationwide to receive this distinction. This honor recognizes her outstanding intellectual achievement, leadership, and community engagement. As an All-USA Academic Team member, she receives a $5,000 scholarship and a special medallion. Nina was also named a 2025 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar, earning the highest score in New York State in the All-USA Academic Team competition. This honor comes with a $2,250 scholarship, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Nina recently traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, where she received her awards during the American Association of Community College’s annual convention.

Udya Dewanamuni, Carolina Hernandez Alvarez, Julia Heller-Bomba, and Nancy Lorme have also been named 2025 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholars based upon scores the students earned in the All- USA Academic Team competition.

The Coca-Cola Academic Team recognizes students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to service. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion and is recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies. The program is administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Ammerman Campus student Udya Dewanamuni and Eastern Campus student Carolina Hernandez Alvarez were named Gold Scholars and will each receive a $1,500 scholarship. Michael J. Grant Campus student Julia Heller-Bomba was named a Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship. Ammerman Campus student Nancy Lorme was named a Bronze Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of these students, who embody the spirit of academic excellence and community service,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College. “Their hard work, leadership, and dedication to their communities exemplify the very best of what Suffolk County Community College stands for.”

About the Students:

Brianna Calle Boror, an Education major from Shirley, NY, maintains a 3.7 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the past two years. She serves as a Peer Mentor, Co-President of Phi Theta Kappa, Vice President of the Honors Club and Latina Elite, Public Relations Chair for the Student Government Association, and is an active member of the Outdoor Adventure Club. Brianna regularly volunteers with Ruta 27, a nonprofit organization offering classes to non-native English-speaking adults. She also created a bilingual peer-tutoring network that provides academic support to ESL students.

Udya Dewanamuni, a Physics major from Ronkonkoma, NY, holds a 4.0 GPA and has been consistently named to the Dean’s List for the past two years. Serving as Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), a Senator in Student Government, and President of the Math Club, she is also a STEM Scholar and a Chemistry and Physics tutor. Udya’s interdisciplinary research in physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and computer science reflects her dedication to academic rigor, innovation, and learning through mentorship.

Carolina Hernandez Alvarez, an Accounting major from Riverhead, NY, has a 3.9 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester. A member of the Honors Program, Carolina has received the Honors Program Academic Excellence Award, Outstanding Service Award, and Emerging Student Leader Award. She serves as President of the Latin Elite Club and the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and is also a Peer Mentor and ESL Student tutor, demonstrating a strong commitment to both leadership and academic excellence.

Julia Heller-Bomba, a Creative Writing major from East Northport, NY, holds a 3.6 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List for the past two years. Julia is President of the Woman’s Club, Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa, and a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. A TRIO Student Support Services Scholarship recipient, Julia’s nomination for the PTK All-USA/All-State competition recognizes her exceptional academic achievements and leadership abilities.

Nina Kezys, a Psychology major from East Northport, maintains a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition for the past two semesters. She was recently selected for the prestigious 2025 All-USA Academic Team, one of only 20 students nationwide to receive this distinction. This honor recognizes her outstanding intellectual achievement, leadership, and community engagement. Nina was also named a 2025 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar, earning the highest score in New York State in the All-USA Academic Team competition. A Women’s Soccer Team player, Nina serves as Vice President of the Rotaract Community Service Club and Vice President of Membership for Phi Theta Kappa. She is also a member of the Honors and Psychology Clubs and serves as a Peer Mentor overseeing the Michael J. Grant Campus Food Pantry.

Nancy Lorme, an Accounting major from Holtsville, NY, maintains a 3.6 GPA and has earned Dean’s List honors each semester. She is President of PTK, Rotaract Club, and the Student African American Sisterhood. A Get There From Here scholar, Nancy serves on the SGA Finance Committee, Conduct Board, and as a regular volunteer at the Food Pantry. Her leadership extends through mentoring roles, including being an Orientation Leader and Peer Mentor, embodying both academic and service-oriented excellence.

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About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 21,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With approximately 140,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school, to college, and into careers.

About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.