Overcoming addiction: SCC graduate Marissa Graham’s transformation into a Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholar | SCC

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    Overcoming addiction: SCC graduate Marissa Graham’s transformation into a Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholar

    Published on May 16, 2025

    SCC Professor of Biology and Honors Program Director, Dr. Amanda Waterstrat Marissa Graham and SCC Professor of Student Success, Kimberly Toby pose for a picture at graduation.Marissa Graham’s journey is a testament to resilience. Despite dropping out of college in 2016 and facing three months in jail in 2018 due to her struggles with addiction, she managed to turn her life around. Her recent announcement as a recipient of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, worth up to $55,000 each academic year, is a shining example of her determination to achieve her educational goals after graduating from Somerset Community College (SCC).

    Marissa, from Wayne County, graduated from SCC with a special announcement during commencement from SCC President and CEO Dr. Carey Castle. Marissa was chosen as the first-ever SCC student to receive the National Jack Kent Cook Undergraduate Transfer scholarship. Graham went up against more than 1,600 applicants and was the only Kentucky recipient this year.

    The award, which is last-dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 per year toward tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees at the college or university of their choice. Additionally, Cooke Scholars are welcomed into the thriving Cooke community and network, receive comprehensive educational and career advising, and are eligible for internship and graduate school funding from the Foundation.

    Instead of letting her prior circumstances define her, she used them as motivation to pursue recovery, give back to her community, and continue her education at SCC.

    Marissa embodies her mantra: “Even when it seems impossible, you can always create a new and brighter future for yourself if you put in the work and have a little faith.”

    Graham entered the workforce as a lab tech at a local factory after her journey through SKYHope recovery in Somerset.

    “I decided that I wanted to go further than that job, so I re-enrolled at SCC,” Graham said. “This time, I approached it with a clear mind and steady determination.”

    At SCC, Marissa demonstrated exceptional academic performance and took an active role in various organizations, including the MSSE Scholars, the Math and Science Club, and Phi Theta Kappa. Her leadership skills and dedication to service earned her several awards throughout her journey at SCC.

    Marissa's commitment to community service is truly inspiring. She has significantly contributed to the community by participating in events such as Math Counts, Science Olympiad, STEAM days, and Earth Day demonstrations, sharing her knowledge and passion for science and mathematics with others.

    “In each of these events, I get to help spread the fun of math and science and work to inspire younger people to get interested,” Graham said.

    While at SCC, Marissa had many cheering her on, including her professors.

    “Marissa's remarkable life story and testimony truly exemplify why she deserves the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. I am grateful that her journey in higher education led her to SCC, where I have had the privilege of being her instructor, advisor, and mentor,” SCC Physical Science Professor Debra House said. “She has greatly contributed to the Math & Science Club and the MSSE scholar program, and personally, she inspires me to be a better teacher. I am incredibly proud of her accomplishments.”

    She is now on her way to the next step in her journey, Tennessee Tech, where she plans to pursue a degree in electrical engineering.

    “I am looking forward to integrating into a new community and to the invaluable guidance I will be receiving to help maximize the opportunities ahead of me. I cannot wait to get my degree as an electrical engineer and to see what new ways I can find to help others along the way,” Graham said. “I just hope that my story can inspire others on similar paths.”

    “Marissa is a perfect example of how providing an opportunity and a supportive scholarly community can impact a student’s life,” Dr. April Kilgore, Associate Dean of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, said. “She is an inspiration and a leader that will be sorely missed in our scholar program.”