Honors College Welcomes 19 New Students for Path Program

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The Honors College at the U of A has selected 19 outstanding freshman students to participate in its Path Program, which provides both financial support and guidance to students from underrepresented populations. 

In addition to receiving scholarships, mentorship and academic advising, Path scholars live in Hotz Honors Hall and benefit from academic and study abroad opportunities.  

This cohort of students marks the 11th year of the program. There are currently 92 Path scholars enrolled at the U of A. Over the last decade, Path scholars have made a tremendous impact on campus, and alumni are excelling in a wide range of career paths, from pursuing international biomedical engineering fellowships to leading teams in the business world to teaching English in Japan. 

“The 11th cohort of Path Scholars comes from across Arkansas and brings a range of experiences and interests,” said Xochitl Delgado Solorzano, assistant dean and director of the Path Program. “We are excited to welcome these exceptional students to campus and support them on their academic journey."

The 19 students will receive academic scholarships of up to $5,500, thanks to an endowment of $5.5 million from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation and generous gifts from Lee and Beverly Bodenhamer, Carolyn and Nick Cole, Lynda Coon, Orville and Susan Hall, Bob and Linda McMath, Mike Pierce and Tricia Starks, Charles and Reynelda Robinson and the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. This past year, Path alumni also raised funds for an additional scholarship in honor of the program’s 10-year anniversary.

HONORS COLLEGE PATH SCHOLARS, CLASS OF 2028

• Felipe Andrade, Lake Hamilton High School, Hot Springs, Engineering
• Victoria Castillo, Har-Ber High School, Tontitown, Animal Science
• Jess Cervantes, Siloam Springs High School, Summers, Journalism
• Casey Christopher, Kingston High School, Compton, Accounting
• Emi Facio, Danville High School, Danville, Civil Engineering
• Joel Galvan, De Queen High School, Horatio, Data Science
• Camila Gonzalez, Russellville High School, Russellville, Biomedical Engineering
• Kora Hodge, Springdale Senior High School, Lowell, Biology
• Terrion Hughes, Sylvan Hills High School, Sherwood, Civil Engineering
• Andrea Lopez-Pineda, Don Tyson School of Innovation, Springdale, Accounting
• Luis Maya, Nashville High School, Nashville, Political Science
• Gabi Miller, Home School Clearinghouse, Strawberry, Anthropology
• Taylor Nelson, White Hall High School, White Hall, Public Health
• Isabel Quezada, Ozark Catholic Academy, Springdale, Mechanical Engineering
• Jillian Revel, The Academies at Jonesboro High School, Beech Grove, Political Science
• Elaina Rivas, De Queen High School, De Queen, Biology
• Jamileth Rueda, De Queen High School, De Queen, Data Science
• Ro Lian Thawng, Malvern High School, Malvern, Computer Science
• Zach Ussery, Vilonia High School, Conway, Computer Engineering

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 and Economic Development News.