Global Campus Awards Scholarships to 39 Students in Online Degree Programs

The University of Arkansas Global Campus has chosen 39 students to receive the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship in the 2026-27 academic year. The awards total a possible $78,000.

The Manning scholarship helps support U of A students studying in online undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Many of these students remain in their communities, work full time and take care of their families while earning a degree. The number of recipients continues to climb each year.

“The number of scholarships we award in memory of longtime staff member W.E. Manning continues to grow each year, as does the need for assistance,” said Cheryl Murphy, vice provost for distance education and leader of the Global Campus. “The students who receive this scholarship are making a significant impact on their communities and workplaces. Benefactors who donate to the scholarship fund can rest assured their contributions also make a far-reaching impact on people’s lives.”

Recipients receive $1,000 per upcoming fall and spring semesters in which they are enrolled for a possible total of $2,000. The students are studying in online degree programs offered by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences; the School of Law; the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences; the Sam M. Walton College of Business; the College of Education and Health Professions; and the College of Engineering.

Last year, the Global Campus awarded 35 scholarships for a total of $64,000.

Manning Scholarship Recipients

Of the 39 students awarded a scholarship in 2026-2027, 30 approved having their names released:

• Heather Allen, Strong, Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Madison Anthony, Alma, Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting
• Arlyn Brazell, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Professional Master of Applied Business Analytics
• Kendra Brown, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Master of Science in Operations Management
• Smith-Joel Brown, Little Rock, Arkansas, Doctor of Education in adult and lifelong learning
• Joshua Campbell, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Master of Science in Operations Management
• Alora Claggett, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences
• Holly Clayton, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Samantha Cooper, Little Rock, Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in human resources management
• Cassandra Coppock, North Little Rock, Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting
• Shawn Daniel, Pea Ridge, Arkansas, Master of Education in educational leadership
• Gabrielle Davis, Little Rock, Arkansas, Executive Master of Business Administration
• Josh Funmaker, Cave Springs, Arkansas, Executive Master of Business Administration
• Kimber Haggard, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in supply chain management
• Nicholas Hess, Colt, Arkansas, Doctor of Education in adult and lifelong learning
• Olivera Jankovska, Houston, Texas, Doctor of Education in educational leadership
• Allison Macias, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences
• Shaina Meyer, Rogers, Arkansas, Doctor of Education in adult and lifelong learning
• Erinn Mitsch, Rogers, Arkansas, Master of Education in special education
• Frits Moses, Scranton, Arkansas, Bachelor of Arts in English
• Dexter Mullin, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Master of Science in construction management
• Chandler Perry, Bentonville, Arkansas, Bachelor of Arts in advertising and public relations
• Nicole Price, Mount Ida, Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in finance
• Heather Rekhi, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Elyssa Schatz, Campbell, Missouri, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in agricultural business, risk management
• John Washington, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in general business
• Naijejah White, Little Rock, Arkansas, Doctor of Education in adult and lifelong learning
• Autumn Wilson, Centerton, Arkansas, Executive Master of Business Administration
• Brandy Wilson, Mint Hill, North Carolina, Doctor of Education in adult and lifelong learning
• William Worthington, Little Rock, Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting

The Global Campus scholarship committee selected recipients based on their financial need, academic merit and significant community service. Preference was given to first-generation higher-education seekers and Arkansas residents.

About the Scholarship

Four scholarships were awarded in 2018, the inaugural year of the Manning award. In recent years, the Global Campus invested more than $1 million in the scholarship’s endowed fund. Generous donors have added to that amount through fundraising efforts such as “All in for Arkansas.”

Friends and co-workers of W.E. Manning established the scholarship fund with about $4,000 soon after Manning died in 1993. At the time of his death, Manning was studying in a U of A doctoral program and managing independent study programs.

Learn more about U of A online students on the Student Experience page of the U of A ONLINE website, where online degree programs are showcased. Anyone can donate to the scholarship fund online.

About the Global Campus: The Global Campus supports U of A colleges and schools in the development and delivery of education, specializing in online, distance and workforce programs and courses. It provides media production services, instructional design services, technology services and assistance with marketing, recruiting and strategic academic development.

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.