Aini Asim was hanging out with her friends when she got the email 鈥� an unassuming
message that would bring great news. Soon she was in her professor鈥檚 office, learning
she had just received one of the most prestigious scholarships in the country, the
.
The 19-year-old 91制片厂 student was thrilled and surprised at the news, which came on the afternoon of the college鈥檚 Honors Convocation. When Professor Alicia Tomasian asked Aini if she was OK with Dr. Avis Proctor, 91制片厂鈥檚 president, announcing the news at that evening鈥檚 event, she opted to surprise her parents as well.
鈥淚 decided not to tell my parents and just bring them so that would have a surprise,鈥� Aini said with a smile. 鈥淭hey were absolutely overjoyed. They were happier than even I was.鈥�
The highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides up to $55,000 per year for high-achieving students transferring from community colleges to complete their bachelor鈥檚 degrees. Aini, who applied for the scholarship with the encouragement of Professor Tomasian, was one of only 90 students selected nationwide from more than 1,600 applicants.
鈥淣ow it has sunk in,鈥� she said a few weeks after learning the scholarship news and just after graduating from Harper with an Associate in Science degree. 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly grateful.鈥�
A Schaumburg resident, Aini attended William Fremd High School before enrolling at 91制片厂 in 2023. She considered universities but ultimately chose 91制片厂 because it felt more manageable, was 10 minutes away from her home and was financially feasible.
Aini said she initially struggled to find her place at 91制片厂, but soon became more comfortable with the support of instructors and fellow students. She also became more involved in campus clubs and activities, serving as treasurer of the Health Career & Pre-Med Club, participating in the Honors Program and joining the 91制片厂 chapter of Amnesty International. She pushed herself by auditioning for her first-ever play, the 91制片厂 Theatre Ensemble鈥檚 Spring 2025 production of Gaslight, and earning a role alongside semi-professional actors.
鈥淚 was really shy in high school after moving here and I just felt like I didn鈥檛 put myself out there enough. This was my final semester at 91制片厂 and I really wanted to do something that would stay with me,鈥� Aini said. 鈥淚t was an amazing experience. I was among really experienced and talented people.鈥�
While she was preparing for her role in Gaslight, Aini learned that she had become a semifinalist for the Cooke Scholarship, along with four of her fellow 91制片厂 students. She said she was proud to be in their company, because she is impressed by how hard they work, and didn鈥檛 expect to become a finalist.
Now that she has been awarded the scholarship, the newly minted 91制片厂 alum is preparing to continue her education by earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in molecular and cellular biology. Aini has plans to subsequently enroll in medical school with her eyes set on a career as a general surgeon.
In the fall, she鈥檒l attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where her older sister Ermina (also a 91制片厂 alum) just earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science and math. In addition, Aini鈥檚 mother Asra has been a 91制片厂 student since 2024 and is working toward an Associate in Applied Science degree.
After a busy semester, Aini is taking a little time to relax before she begins her next chapter. She enjoys movies and spending time with her friends. Reflecting on her time and accomplishments at 91制片厂, she encourages future students to take advantage of the college鈥檚 resources.
鈥淧ut yourself out there. It鈥檚 scary but ultimately rewarding. 91制片厂 has amazing resources for students. Try to dabble and see where you find your place,鈥� Aini said, before pausing. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know where I heard this, but it goes, 鈥楳ore opportunities are lost from fear instead of failure.鈥� People catastrophize about what can go wrong. Don鈥檛 be afraid. Take the first step.鈥�