May 1, 2025
When Tarangarirwa (“Tara”) was young, her mom would always say, “Don’t hit your head and hurt your brain when you go outside to play.” Now she plans to become a neurosurgeon and find out what that meant.
Tara grew up in Zimbabwe. She came to the United States in 2023 and joined her family in Grand Rapids. She packed more than her kind smile and friendly personality for the move. Tara came fired up for education and the chance to make an impact.
“When I was young, my dad asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up,” Mushonga said. “He laughed when I said I was going to be a doctor. There were no women doctors around us. How did I know what was involved? I didn’t! I just knew that’s what I wanted to do.”
Tara’s older sister attended GRCC, and Tara decided that it made sense as a first step for her as well.
“GRCC is small and affordable,” Mushonga said. “I needed a place that felt like home, not something that would overwhelm me.”
Creating that sense of welcome and support is exactly what the TRIO program and people like Evan Macklin, program advisor, are here to do.
“TRIO is an advising center for first generation college students and also those who have low incomes,” Macklin said. “I was a first generation college student, so I know what it means to achieve that dream. My job is to mentor and coach students. Sometimes I’m augmenting information from their parents. Sometimes I’m a sounding board. Regardless of what is needed, I want to help students succeed. The care I received as a student here is the care I want to give now.”
Resources such as TRIO and Evan are a huge support to the students they serve.
“I did not understand the American education system when I got here,” Mushonga said. “I thought I could go straight to med school. When I found out how much a bachelor’s degree and med school cost, I was shocked. When I started choosing courses, I made all the wrong choices. I’m so glad I was able to get the help I needed to navigate.”
Evan helped Tara get on track toward an Associate degree in Pre-Cell and Molecular Biology, the credits for which will fit the prerequisites of an undergraduate degree. But he opened her eyes to an even more significant opportunity: financial support.
The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities. Each Cooke Scholar has access to generous financial support for two to three years, college planning support, ongoing advising and the opportunity to connect with the thriving community of fellow Scholars. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation receives more than 1,600 applications annually. From that pool, 400 make it as semifinalists, and 60 receive the coveted scholarship.
“I was telling Mr. Macklin about my dreams, and he told me about the Jack Cooke Foundation scholarship,” Mushonga said. “I didn’t think I could do it but he kept pushing me.”
Evan freely admits that he gave more than a nudge for Tara to apply.
“I guess you could say I hounded her a bit because I knew she would be an outstanding candidate,” Mackin said. “I’ve worked with Tara for two years. I’ve seen her work ethic and discipline. I also knew about her tremendous heart for service. She is the epitome of the talent that GRCC attracts.”
Now Tara and fellow student Steven Nkurunziza are semifinalists for this prestigious scholarship. Tara has followed Evan’s advice and is dreaming big for her future.
“Mr. Macklin told me to cast a wide net,” Mushonga said. “So I am! Winning the scholarship would mean I can go to any university I want, and I want to attend Stanford. It would motivate me to achieve what I dream about achieving.”
Regardless of the outcome, Tara knows this for sure.
“There are people out there — people I don’t even know — who want to help people like me,” Mushonga said. “Becoming a semifinalist for this scholarship has given me hope. I am on a journey to become a neurosurgeon, an activist and an entrepreneur. I can do it, and I am passionate about empowering others to do it, too.”
Learn more about TRIO and financial support options at GRCC.
This story reported by Julie Hordyk