Allison Rogers

Every time Allison Rogers sees an email touting a scholarship, she immediately checks to see if she is eligible. That's because earning a degree — either an associate, bachelor's or master's — is the focus of the 18-year-old from Covington, Georgia.

Rogers took her first step when she enrolled at the University of North Georgia (UNG) and received a presidential leadership scholarship. It required that she join the Student Government Association (SGA) and participate in leadership classes.

"I enjoyed SGA so much, I decided to stay in it," Rogers said.

As a budget committee member, she helps determine the grants awarded to other student groups and how the funds are used.

"I get to see how the events happen and effect other people," the UNG sophomore said. "I enjoy watching the outcome and seeing the role I've played."

Rogers has stepped into other roles on UNG's Oconee Campus. She was a member of Nighthawks Entertainment and is a member of the Spectrum Club. Nighthawks Entertainment is responsible for arranging student activities such as movie nights, comedian and magician visits to campus and concerts. Spectrum serves as a meeting place for LGBT students and its allies.

Her leadership qualities and tenacity to acquire a post-secondary education garnered the attention of UNG faculty and staff as well as the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

In January 2019, Rogers was selected as a semifinalist for a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The scholarship is geared toward sophomores pursuing an associate degree who want to transfer to a four-year program and earn a bachelor's degree. The highly selective scholarship pays up to $40,000 a year to attend an accredited undergraduate school.

"I was really surprised and pleased," she said. "I'm really hoping it will work out."

Approximately 45 scholarships are awarded out of thousands of applicants, according to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website. Specific criteria for candidates include high academic ability and achievement, unmet financial need, persistence, leadership and service to others.

Dr. Rosaria Meek, assistant professor of Spanish at UNG, believes Rogers is an ideal candidate to receive the prestigious scholarship.

"She is one of most hardworking students I know," Meek said. "She embodies the UNG Oconee student and is the perfect example of a student who is thriving at a small campus. Allison also has the skills and abilities to succeed at larger college and Ivy League school."

A bachelor's degree is just one step in Rogers' journey. She wants to attend law school and become a law enforcement official.

"I always wanted to slip behind the wheel of a patrol car, turn on the siren and protect people," Rogers said. "But I know there is a lot more than that."

She took steps to accomplish her goal. At age 13, she joined the Explorer Program at Covington Police Department, which exposed her to the law enforcement and legal system process. During her six-year tenure, her focus shifted from law enforcement to studying the law to finding a job combining both.

"I really want to work as a special agent with the FBI in violent crimes," Rogers said.

In the meantime, Rogers strives to earn scholarships and works four part-time jobs to pay for her tuition, gas and books to earn an associate degree at the Oconee Campus.