Cordero Holmes, a Rio Salado Graduate who’s remarkable journey Northeast Valley News reported on in March, has received more academic accolades.

According to a press release from Rio Salado college, Cordero has received the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship as well as Phi Theta Kappa’s 2022 Hites Transfer Scholarship.

A member of the Tohono O’Odham Nation, Cordero was this year’s commencement speaker at Rio Salado and a 2022 All-Arizona Academic Scholar.  He also served as Phi Theta Kappa’s (the national Honor Society for Community Colleges) Arizona Regional Development Officer and Rio Salado chapter leader.

The Hites Family Community College Scholarship Foundation, together with the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation awarded 10 students their top scholarship.  The Transfer Scholarship will provide $7,500 towards Cordero’s continued education, according to the press release.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website describes their Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship as “a highly selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities.”

As a recipient, Cordero will be awarded up to $55,000 to complete his degree, as well as extensive advising support.

“It is a very humbling feeling to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship.  I think about how much this is going to assist me in not only furthering my education, but bettering my family, my people, and my community,” said Cordero about receiving the award.

According to the press release, Cordero plans to continue his studies in counseling at Arizona State University or the University of Arizona.