In its fifth year, the TCAdvance Scholarship has been awarded to 12 Turkish American students for the 2011-2012 academic period.
Each year, American students of Turkish and Turkic descent who pursue a career in public policy, international affairs, media and law compete for the TCAdvance Scholarship. The TCAdvance Scholarship is awarded to students who excel in academics, show a strong commitment to community service and to their Turkish heritage.
In addition to the 12 students who will receive the TCAdvance Scholarship for the first time, 9 former recipients from 2008, 2009 and 2010 who met the renewal criteria will continue to receive scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Mert Arkan
Born in Reston, VA, Mert graduated from high school in Cologne, Germany. He is a rising freshman at Duke University, where he will be pursuing a degree in International Comparative Studies and Pre-Law. Once an active member of the Turkish American community in Washington, DC, Mert plans to attend law school upon graduation.
Kerem Atalay
Kerem is the first TCAdvance Scholar to receive the Robert C. Byrd Memorial Scholarship designation. A junior at the University of Virginia, Kerem is a Foreign Affairs and History Major who is planning to attend graduate school upon the completion of his degree.
Mehmet Ayhan
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Mehmet is a junior at California State University Northridge. He is majoring in Political Science. Upon graduation, Mehmet wishes to pursue a career with the US Foreign Service.
Merjan Bubernack
Merjan will enter the freshman class at Georgetown University, where she will be pursuing a degree in Pre-Law with a focus on International Business. Born in Allentown, PA, Merjan hopes to work on U.S.-Turkey relations upon graduation.
Cicek Erel
Born in Izmir, Turkey, Cicek is a freshman at New York University, pursuing a degree in Media, Culture and Communications. An active volunteer in her community and a regular participant at Turkish American events, Cicek wants to attend graduate school to continue her education in communications.
Elcin Haskollar
Elcin is a student at Rutgers University, pursuing a PhD in International Relations. Born in Izmir, Turkey, Elcin has various leadership roles within and beyond the Turkish American community. A second year PhD student, Elcin hopes to pursue an academic career that will enable her to study comparative politics with particular emphasis on Turkish foreign policy.
Kubra Kalkan
A New York native, Kubra is a sophomore at American University, where she is pursuing a degree in International Studies and Economics. Upon graduation, Kubra wants to attend graduate school to study Public Relations.
Eda Selin Kosma
Eda is a freshman at Georgia Tech, majoring in International Affairs. Eda has been active in the Turkish American community in Georgia, participating regularly in April 23rd Children’s Day festivities.
Kaan C. Ozcayir
Kaan will be pursuing a degree in Political Science as a freshman at Hofstra University. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Kaan is an avid basketball player and has used his language skills to help the Turkish American community in New York. Upon graduation, Kaan wishes to pursue a degree in media and broadcasting.
Ilker A. Ucaner
Ilker will be pursuing a Master’s Degree in History and Middle Eastern Studies at the City University of New York – Queens College. He received a B.A. in History from the Dowling College. Born in Rockville Centre, NY, Ilker wishes to pursue a Ph.D degree and a career in Washington, DC.
Alexander Murat Zermano
Born in Willingboro, NJ, Alex is a rising freshman at the University of Missouri – Columbia. Alex is majoring in journalism and wishes to pursue a career in that field.
