Honors College Celebrates Its Graduating Path Scholars

Xavier Smith

The Honors College recognizes its 14 exceptional graduating Path Program scholars for all their accomplishments and successes throughout their time at the U of A. Graduating scholars were also recognized at a year-end event on April 22, where they celebrated with family and friends and also took part in a cord ceremony. 

The Path Program provides both financial support and guidance to students from underrepresented populations, including scholarships, mentorships and community building. The program will enter its 10th year this fall, and it has grown substantially over its first decade.

"This is a bittersweet time for path staff," said Xochitl Delgado Solorzano, Honors College assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion and director of the Path Program. "We are sad to see the students go, but we are so excited for them and their futures. Wherever they go, whether it is graduate school or industry, we know that they will be successful and will continue to make a positive impact in their communities." 

The graduating Path Scholars have made key contributions across academic disciplines and gathered recognition on campus and beyond. Scholar Chris Haywood from Hope majored in industrial engineering and received scholarships from the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering, National Society for Black Engineers and Engineering Career Awareness Program. He emphasized the role path played in shaping his career plans. 

"If it were not for path, I would not be the student nor the engineer I am today," Haywood said. "Path introduced me to students that had a similar background and ambitions as me. Path has given me lifelong friends and mentors that I will appreciate for the rest of my life."

As the class of 2023 Path Scholars move on to their future journeys, they hope to impart key takeaways from their time at the U of A. Scholar Nastajae Alderson, an English education major from Huttig and recipient of the Henry G. and Stella Hotz and Outstanding B.A.T. Student in Secondary Education Awards, advised students to take risks and learn to become vulnerable. 

"There will be opportunities that knock at your door, and you may doubt your abilities to fill that position," she noted. "Take advantage of the opportunity even if you're not 100% sure about the outcome. You wouldn't be presented with the opportunity if someone didn't believe that you were capable of being successful." 

HONORS COLLEGE CONGRATULATES CLASS OF 2023

• Nastajae Alderson - Huttig, English Education 
• Maria Cervantes - Summers, Apparel Merchandising/Product Development 
• Karina Escobar - Rogers, Communication Sciences and Disorders & Spanish
• Christopher Haywood - Hope, Industrial Engineering
• Ellion Dison - Sherwood, Computer Engineering
• Evelyn Johnson - Lake Village, Chemical Engineering
• Breanna Kilgore - El Dorado, Biomedical Engineering
• Kaleb Manley - Texarkana, Chemical Engineering
• Miguel Marin - Springdale, International Business
• Clay McGuire - Claremore, Oklahoma, Biomedical Engineering
• Roberto Quezada - Springdale, Electrical Engineering
• Dalila Sanchez - Lowell, Marketing
• Jaslyn Dalrymple - Gravette, Psychology
• Ahmad Pace, Jr. - Pine Bluff, Political Science 

About the Honors College: The University of Arkansas Honors College was established in 2002 and brings together high-achieving undergraduate students and the university's top professors to share transformative learning experiences. Each year the Honors College awards up to 90 freshman fellowships that provide $80,000 over four years, and more than $1 million in undergraduate research and study abroad grants. The Honors College is nationally recognized for the high caliber of students it admits and graduates. Honors students enjoy small, in-depth classes, and programs are offered in all disciplines, tailored to students' academic interests, with interdisciplinary collaborations encouraged. All Honors College graduates have engaged in mentored research.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.