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Kenya King
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Perimeter College
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CLARKSTON, Ga. — Claudia Madden, who began studying at Georgia State University Perimeter College in Spring 2023, is pursuing the college’s Fine Arts pathway. A student on Perimeter’s Clarkston Campus, she is originally from Atlanta. Madden was recently awarded the prestigious Perimeter STAR Award in Fine Arts, and she is a semifinalist for the 2026 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.
What has been the best aspect of attending Perimeter College?
My favorite thing about attending Perimeter has been the other students. I love meeting new people on campus!
What’s next for you?
I am transferring downtown to continue my education at Georgia State.
What are your career goals?
I hope to become an art educator.
What motivates you to keep moving forward with your academic and career journey?
My family and friends are my biggest source of motivation by far.
What experiences shaped who you are today and where you want to go with your career?
My academic journey hasn't been an easy one. I dropped out in my senior year of high school due to illness, and I wasn't sure if I would ever continue my education. After some encouragement from my loved ones, I decided to apply to Perimeter College, and it was one of the best decisions I could have made. I've found community and support here that I couldn't have imagined when I dropped out, and it has truly changed me for the better. Even though dropping out of high school was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, it's one that I continue to be grateful for. I’ve learned the depth of my own strength and found limitless kindness from others. Since then, I’ve started a club, traveled overseas for the first time and made so many friends! I was nominated for a STAR award by one of my professors, which is such an honor.
Perimeter College has been home to an impressive number of recipients of the national Jack Kent Cooke (JKC) Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Since 2002, 30 Perimeter students have received the competitive award from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, which offers each winner up to $55,000 per year for up to three years. It’s the country’s largest private scholarship for two-year and community college transfer students. Perimeter JKC winners have succeeded in bachelor’s degree programs (and beyond) at Georgia State University and other prominent institutions such as Yale, Georgia Tech, MIT, Emory University, Howard University, University of Southern California, Stanford University and Agnes Scott College.