Tyler Junior College graduate Naomi Moody has been awarded the Baylor Bound Presidential Transfer Scholarship, an honor that will provide full tuition and fees for up to two years at Baylor University. The scholarship allows Moody to pursue her bachelor’s degree at the university she has aimed to attend since high school, with plans to earn a medical degree.
Established in 1989, the Baylor Bound Presidential Transfer Scholarship is awarded annually to one TJC graduate. Recipients must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and active participation in the TJC Presidential Honors Program. To be eligible, students must be on track to graduate from TJC, maintain good academic standing, and achieve a minimum cumulative 3.5 grade point average.
Jasmine Fuller, TJC scholarship coordinator, stated that Moody’s selection underscores her strong academic preparation and her dedication to achieving her academic goals. Fuller noted that Moody surpassed the stated expectations throughout her time at TJC.
Moody attributed much of her success to the comprehensive support she received through TJC’s Presidential Honors Program. She specifically acknowledged the guidance provided by Dr. Mejia, whose meetings helped boost her confidence. Academic support from Dr. Andrea Hathcote, a professor, and Honors coordinators Dave Funk and Dannika Blackhurst also played a crucial role in her academic journey. Among her achievements at TJC, Moody expressed particular pride in her Honors Capstone Research Project. The project delved into the subject of entomophobia, which is the fear of insects. She noted that being paired with top professors and students in the Honors program encouraged deeper thinking about her research. The program also provided substantial resources for her project, including financial assistance to acquire necessary items for her study.
For Moody, receiving this scholarship is more than just financial relief; it represents the realization of a long-held ambition. She described the award as the opportunity to attend the university she had wanted since her junior year of high school, noting that getting to Baylor had always been a personal goal. At Baylor, she plans to fully utilize her time as she works towards her medical degree. The Baylor Bound Presidential Transfer Scholarship is one of many transfer opportunities available to students at Tyler Junior College. TJC supports students in continuing their education at various universities, both within Texas and beyond, through a range of transfer partnerships, scholarships, and academic support programs.
