July 1, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica College Student Sierra McDonald Awarded $30K Scholarship:

Santa Monica College student Sierra McDonald has been named the recipient of the second annual Chui L. Tsang Transfer Scholarship worth $30,000.

The new Tsang Scholar – an independent student who has received no assistance from her parents, yet managed to put herself through college and transfer to a university – will start her studies this fall as a sophomore at Howard University in Washington, DC.

McDonald said she was so grateful and honored to receive the Tsang Transfer Scholarship.

“It gives me the chance to transfer and continue my education without worrying so much – like I have the past few years – about how I am going to feed myself or keep a roof over my head,” McDonald said. “Now, with this scholarship, I can focus more on my academic career and continue to dedicate myself to being a leading example for change. I thank SMC and Dr. Tsang for helping me to continue on this path of taking my dedication into the future.”

The annual scholarship – named for SMC President Dr. Chui L. Tsang – provides $15,000 a year for two years to support a student’s completion of a bachelor degree.

The Tsang Transfer Scholarship is awarded based on a combination of academic achievement, financial need, and the student’s own academic and personal journey.

Scholarship candidates are nominated by SMC faculty and staff members and reviewed by a campus committee, with the final selection made by Dr. Tsang.

Tsang said he was so happy to award this year’s scholarship to Sierra McDonald.

“She is a focused, conscientious, and mature student who has stood out as a leader since she arrived here,” Tsang said. “Santa Monica College is deeply committed to ensuring our students get a strong baccalaureate education, and Sierra truly deserves our support in her continuing educational efforts.”

McDonald – who has overcome parental abuse and abandonment, extreme poverty, health issues, and other adverse circumstances to pursue her education – is majoring in journalism.

She said she had succeeded in overcoming her past by not letting it define her.

“Instead, I learned from it and realized that change is possible both on a personal and societal level when education is involved,” she said. “As a journalism major, I want to work toward making a difference in my community by building social awareness and keeping my voice relevant in various conversations in the Black community.”

McDonald is a former President’s Ambassador of Santa Monica College and has been serving her community as a volunteer and Commissioner of Community Service through the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and as a past board member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

While attending SMC, she has been a Supplemental Instruction Leader for English, helping students build and strengthen their reading and writing skills, and has written articles on topics such as “The Progression of Black Gangs in Los Angeles” and “The Growing Awareness of the Prison Industrial Complex and the African American Male in the Black Community.”

McDonald successfully completed SMC’s Promo Pathways Program, which allowed her to make important connections with top professionals in her field. Her position as Director of Publicity for SMC’s Black Collegians program helped her to develop the strong leadership skills she has put to use as an intern at companies such as “Tavis Smiley” on PBS, Dick Clark Productions, and Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance.”

She continues to put these skills to use this summer with A&E Networks as an on-air marketing intern for Lifetime.

The establishment of the Tsang Transfer Scholarship comes as SMC celebrates the high number of its students accepted into prestigious universities for this fall. SMC has, for the past 25 years, been the number one transfer institution to the UC system and a number of local private universities, including USC. SMC has also been for several years the leading transfer school to the UC-Cal State systems combined.

in News
<>Related Posts

Three-Bed Palisades Highlands Townhouse Hits Market for $1.7M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The Mediterranean-style property, located at 1529 Michael Lane, is part of a 71-unit community A remodeled 1,919-square-foot townhouse in the...

Six-Bed Mar Vista Hilltop Home Under Construction Lists for $5.3M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The private backyard is complete with a pool, spa, fire pit, built-in BBQ, and areas for outdoor dining A stunning...

(Video) Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction of Palisades Wildfires

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

With the reopening also comes a new exhibit, “The Kingdom of Pylos” Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction...

Free Virtual Planetarium Shows Coming to SMC in July

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The virtual format is in place as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion The Santa Monica...

Santa Monica Adopts $793.3M Budget for FY25-27, Prioritizing Housing and Safety

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The budget preserves core services and invests in major projects, including over $1 billion in hotel investments The Santa Monica...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Park: “Our Water Infrastructure Must Be Emergency-Ready Every Day”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Councilwoman expressed cautious relief at the news but emphasized the need for robust infrastructure The Los Angeles Department of Water...

Washington Square Pizza Opens to the Public

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

New York Style Pizza “By-The-Slice” Now at the Beach By Nick Antonicello  Washington Square Pizza formally opened its doors today...

California Allocates $5B for Road Repairs, Transit Expansion

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The funding aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and promote cleaner transportation California is investing nearly $5 billion...

THIS SUNDAY: Palisades Symphony Presents “Best of Broadway”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The performance will feature a full orchestra playing iconic selections, from John Philip Sousa’s *El Capitan* and George Gershwin’s *The...

LAPD Updates Immigration FAQ to Clarify Enforcement Role

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

The document, available in English and Spanish, outlines the department’s policies and limits regarding immigration status The Los Angeles Police...

Three Santa Monica College Student Films Selected for International Film Festival

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

The LA Shorts International Film Festival, the city’s longest-running shorts festival, screens over 350 films annually and draws 10,000 attendees...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Suspect Charged by Los Angeles DA with Shooting of Santa Monica Cop and Teens

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Faces Attempted Murder Charges and Over 100 Years to Life in Prison if Convicted. Criminal charges have been filed against...