Tyler Junior College graduate Naomi Moody has been awarded the Baylor Bound Presidential Transfer Scholarship, a prestigious award providing full tuition and fees for up to two years at Baylor University. The scholarship will allow Moody to complete her bachelor’s degree at Baylor, a long-held goal since her junior year of high school, and she plans to pursue a medical degree there.
The Baylor Bound Presidential Transfer Scholarship was established in 1989. It is awarded annually to one TJC graduate who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement while actively participating in the TJC Presidential Honors Program. Jasmine Fuller, TJC scholarship coordinator, stated that Moody’s selection highlights her strong academic preparation and outstanding achievement in pursuing her goals. Fuller explained that eligible students must be on track to graduate, maintain good standing, and achieve a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA, all expectations Moody exceeded during her time at TJC.
Moody credits much of her success to the support she received through TJC’s Presidential Honors Program. She specifically mentioned Dr. Mejia for boosting her confidence and Dr. Andrea Hathcote, along with Honors coordinators Dave Funk and Dannika Blackhurst, for academic assistance. Among her accomplishments at TJC, Moody expressed particular pride in her Honors Capstone Research Project. This project explored entomophobia, the fear of insects, and she noted that being paired with "the best professors and students" in the program led her to think more deeply about her research. The program also provided substantial resources, including financial assistance for purchasing necessary items for the project.
For Moody, the scholarship not only eases the financial burden of earning a bachelor’s degree but also represents the opportunity to attend the university she has dreamed of for years. She stated that receiving the scholarship means going to the university she has wanted to attend since high school, and that getting to Baylor has always been a goal. She intends to make the most of her time at Baylor as she pursues her medical degree. The Baylor Bound Presidential Transfer Scholarship is one of many transfer opportunities available to TJC students. TJC supports students in continuing their education at universities across Texas and beyond through various transfer partnerships, scholarships, and academic support programs.
