Congratulations to 3 NJ Community College Students Who Were Awarded Scholarships Sponsored by the Council
This Fall, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges had the honor of awarding three outstanding NJ Community College students with scholarships administered by the Council through the Deborah and Lawrence Nespoli Scholarship and the Richard and Ann Wellbrock NJCCC Chair Scholarship.
The three students exemplify dedication and excellence in their studies.
The recipients are Makeka Cottemond, Salem Community College, and Chennelle Brown and Zhyldyz Makhmutova from Bergen Community College.
Deborah and Lawrence Nespoli Scholarship Award 2024: Makeka Cottemond, Salem Community College
The award of the Deborah and Lawrence Nespoli Scholarship is awarded annually to one full-time student enrolled in the Community College represented by the person serving as the Chair of the Presidents, which is currently Dr. Michael Gorman of Salem Community College. Dr. Lawrence Nespoli served as the President of the Council from 1990 to 2018. The scholarship award is based upon the student’s demonstrated exemplary academic performance.
This year’s honoree is Makeka Cottemond, a nursing student at Salem Community College. Makeka’s professors say that she is driven, brilliant, and gracious. She stands out for her deep commitment, hard work, and resilience. Since she has been at Salem Community College, her professors, administrators and fellow students, have witnessed her do amazing things as she works to become a nurse.
Her professors say that it’s an honor to work with Makeka, remarking that she exemplifies the many reasons why working in higher education is a rewarding career. This award will help alleviate some of her tuition costs and allow her to primarily focus on her education and goals.
We’re very proud of Makeka as she continues to achieve her goals and sets an example of excellence.
Richard and Ann Wellbrock NJCCC Chair Scholarship: Chennelle Brown and Zhyldyz Makhmutova, Bergen Community College
The Richard and Ann Wellbrock NJCCC Chair Scholarship is awarded to one or more students enrolled in the Community College represented by the person serving as the Chair of the Council, which is currently Dr. Sheetal Ranjan of Bergen Community College. Richard Wellbrock served as a trustee at Raritan Valley Community College for many years and served as chair of the Council. The scholarship award recognizes exemplary self-initiative and personal achievement.
This year’s award recipients are Chennelle Brown and Zhyldyz Makhmutova.
Chennelle Brown, a Bergen Community College nursing student, has quickly become an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, seeking to impact her peers through leadership positions and service-learning opportunities. Chennelle works on campus as part of both the Turning Point program for adults with developmental disabilities and the Cerullo Learning Assistance Center.
Zhyldyz Makhmutova, a Bergen Community College computer science student, emigrated to the United States from Kyrgyzstan in pursuit of expanded opportunities for higher education. Now in her second year at the college, Makhmutova has made the dean’s list while also working as a part-time nanny. She expects to graduate in 2025 with a computer science degree and to transfer to a four-year university.
