17 Turkish American students were selected to receive the TCA Turkish American Scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year. In its second year, the TCA Turkish American Scholarship Program saw a significant increase in the number of applications. We were inspired by the talent, outstanding academic achievements, dedication to community service of all the applicants and the hope they hold for the future of the United States , Turkey and, indeed, the world.
The quality of applications prompted TCA to increase the number of awards from the planned 10 scholarships to 17. With the addition of these students to the eight selected in 2007, the TCA Scholarship Program will award 25 scholarships at 5,000 USD in the 2008/2009 academic year.
The students have been selected on the basis of academic achievement, commitment to civic leadership as demonstrated by involvement in the Turkish American community and American society in general, individual leadership qualities, and an interest in pursuing a career in public affairs, media and public relations. We congratulate our Awardees and wish them the best of success in the future.
Fakhretdinova Pelin Zakhatdinovna
Pelin is a Turkish American of Ahiska Turkish descent. When her family immigrated to the United States, Pelin had to re-enroll in high school with no English skills. She graduated with honors and will now pursue a BA degree in International Relations or Public Policy at Georgia State University. Pelin has been an active volunteer for the local Ahiska Turkish community and hopes to pursue a career at international organizations.
Esra Emel Yarar
Esra will enter the Freshman class of Wellesley College to pursue a degree in International Relations and plans to enter the Foreign Service upon graduation. She was the President of Model United Nations, Habitat for Humanity and Girls Learn International chapters at her high school. Esra also made a documentary on Turkish life in Germany.
Zeynep Sila Yalcin
Zeynep is a graduate of Ankara University with a BA in Journalism and hold a masters degree from Middle East Technical University in Social Psychology. She will now study toward a masters degree in International Affairs at Penn State University. Zeynep plans to pursue a career on international affairs either in the news media or international organizations. She received various academic scholarships and worked as a volunteer at the Turkish Scientific and Cultural Research Center (TUBIKAM).
Antonio Ali Winston
Ali graduated with honors from the University of Chicago with a BA in History and International Studies. He will now pursue a masters degree at the University of California at Berkeley Graduate School or Journalism. A recipient of numerous grants, awards and scholarships, including a awards for the most outstanding BA thesis from the University of Chicago, a City University of New York John Jay Center fellowship and the Turkish Studies Association Halide Edip Adivar Scholarship, Ali plans to pursue a career as a reporter.
Ayse Eren Senguler
Ayse is a Sophomore at American University studying toward a degree in International Studies and Economics. After graduation, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in International Studies and work in foreign policy and international relations. Ayse is a senator at the School of International Service and Treasurer of the Council on Middle East Studies. She has received various scholarships from her University and interned at the Turkish Cultural Foundation in Washington, DC.
Deniz Zeynep Ozdemir
Deniz graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. She has also taken courses in International Affairs at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris and will now pursue a Master’s Degree at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in International Politics. She plans a career in foreign policy. Deniz currently works as the Editorial Coordinator for the World Security Institute and is on the editorial staff of Foreign Policy magazine and a frequent contributor to the magazine’s blog, Passport. Deniz is involved in the Turkish American community in her native New Jersey through Bridge to Turkiye Foundation and in Washington, DC during her studies.
Cafer Kerim Orman
Cafer is a Turkish American of Karacay heritage. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Richard Stockton College with a BA in Economics, Sociology and Anthropology with a minor in Mathematics and will now pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute. Cafer has interned with the Department of Labor, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Hudson Institute and the US Chamber of Commerce. He was listed on Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and on the Dean’s List throughout his college years. He was a member of the International Student Organization and the Asian Students Alliance on his campus and also volunteered for the World Uyghur Congress.
Aylin Jacqueline Oncel
Aylin is a senior at University of California at Los Angeles, pursuing a degree in Women’s Studies and Political Science. She plans to earn a Fulbright scholarship in Turkey after graduation and pursue a graduate degree in International Law. She is a UCLA College Honors Student and on the Dean’s Honors List. Aylin is a member of the UCLA Pre-Law Society and has interned for Congressman Michael Michaud (RI) and Senator Dianne Feinstein, as well as the TUSIAD Washington, DC office and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Coalition.
Suhan Gabrielle Kupoglu
Suhan is a Sophomore at Montana State University in Bozeman and studying toward a degree in Media and theater arts. She plans to pursue a career in film, television and media. Suhan is the president of the Women’s soccer club at MSU and has received numerous academic scholarships from athletic and other organizations, including Top Ten Athlete of Southern Nevada and Outstanding Freshman Award at MSU. She was also the Valedictorian of her high school, an Honor Roll student and an AP Scholar with Distinction.
Melisa Emel Karabeyoglu
Melis will enter the Freshman class of Johns Hopkins University to pursue a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She was an award winning delegate at the Model United Nations. She has done projects on women’s and gender issues and is an animal rights activist. Melis was one of the founders, captain and co-captain of her high school girls soccer team which won in international competitions.
Cem Vincent Griffith
Cem will enter the Freshman class of George Mason University to pursue a degree in Political Science. An active member of the Turkish American community in North Carolina, Cem served as student election assistant in the Town of Cary Mayoral Election and regularly volunteers in local projects. He wants to pursue a career in politics.
Can Gokcen
Can is a Sophomore at Boston University studying toward a degree in International Management and Business. He plans to pursue a minor in Political Science with a view to pursue a career in politics. Can is the Secretary of the International Student Consortium and Vice President of the Turkish Student Association at his University. He is the only student board member of the Seattle International Children’s Festival for the last four years and an active member of the Turkish American community, volunteering since 2001 at the Turkish festival of Seattle and during the earthquake relief campaign for Turkey. He also volunteers for other charitable causes, such as Relay for Life and Diabetes Walk.
Parla Duman
Parla will enter the Freshman class of Tufts University to work towards a degree in International Relations. She plans to go to graduate school and pursue a career in international relations and diplomacy. Parla is an AP Scholar with Honors and was an Honors student at her high school where she founded the “Horses for Handicapped Club” to raise funds and awareness for therapeutic riding centers. In honor of her high school graduation, Parla plans to hold a fundraiser for Cagdas Yasami Destekleme Dernegi to collect funds to open a kindergarten classroom in Turkey.
Elif Selin Cila
Elif is a Junior at the University of Michigan at Dearborn studying toward a degree in Political Science and International Relations. Upon graduation, Elif plans to go law school and pursue a career in foreign policy and economic development. Elif is a teacher at the Turkish school of the Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM) and a member of the TACAM board. She received the Chancellor’s Scholarship of her university and the Michigan Educational Assessment Program scholarship and was awarded Honorable Mention for Outstanding Delegate in the Michigan Regional University Model Arab League.
Ruth Jeannine Brillman
Ruth’s family is of Sephardic Jewish heritage and fled Spain for the Ottoman Empire. Ruth will enter the Freshman class of New York University to pursue a BA in History and/or Economics. Her career goal is to become a journalist or a free lance writer and work on creating a better understanding between the United States and Turkey. Ruth has been the editor of her high school literary journal, an award winning participant in Mock Trial competitions in New Mexico, a National Merit finalist, AP Scholar with Honors and recipient of NYU scholarships and other awards.
Melis Atalay
Melis is a Junior at University of California at Berkeley, pursuing a BA, double-majoring in English and Political Science. Melis plans to attend law school and become a judge. She has been on her University’s Dean’s List for Academic Excellence and during high school received her school district’s Certificate of Service for outstanding community service. Melis is a host at the Turkish Cultural Radio program in the Bay Area and is an active member of the local Turkish American community.
Erol Zafer Ahmed
A third generation Turkish American, Erol is a Junior at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, studying toward a degree in History. He plans to purse a graduate degree in public policy while retaining his focus on Turkish-Caucuses history. He has been on the University Honors list for four terms and is an active member of the Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan.
