Honors College Welcomes 10 New Students for Path Program

The Honors College at the University of Arkansas has selected 10 exceptional freshmen for the Path Program, which offers financial support and personalized guidance to students who are first-generation college students, have significant financial need or come from less-served areas of the state.

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 marks the 13th year of the program. There are currently 68 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 and teaching English in Japan. 

“We are excited to welcome the new cohort of Path Scholars to campus,” said Xochitl Delgado Solorzano, assistant dean and director of the Path Program. “These students bring a range of experiences and goals that will help them become engaged on campus and successful students.”

Honors College Path Scholars, Class of 2030

• Luis Bathen-Gonzalez, chemistry, Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, Green Forest
• Alejandro Robledo, social studies education, College of Education and Health Professions, Hot Springs
• Jesse Barbosa, political science, Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, Springdale
• Noe Juarez-Escamilla, undeclared Sam M. Walton College of Business, Springdale
• Ricardo Caballero, accounting, Sam M. Walton College of Business, Star City
• Dara Cuenca, international business, Sam M. Walton College of Business, Springdale
• Victoria Velazquez Garcia, finance, Sam M. Walton College of Business, Rogers
• Lakelyn Adame, biology, Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, Dardanelle
• Ashley Gomez-Renteria, finance, Sam M. Walton College of Business, Berryville
• Corrie Kinney, criminology, Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, Hamburg

“I am very impressed by this cohort of Path Scholars,” said Lynda Coon, dean of the Honors College. “They have already exhibited all the talents we look for in top honors scholars. They are establishing a strong bond among the 10 members and are keenly supportive of one another. I cannot wait to see where their trajectory on campus and beyond takes them."

The Path Program continues to grow thanks to the generosity of Nick and Carolyn Cole, whose recent $250,000 gift supports Path students in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. The Path Program was established with a $5.5 million endowment from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation and has been supported through generous gifts from Chancellor emeritus G. David Gearhart and Jane Gearhart, Lee and Beverly Bodenhamer, Lynda Coon, Orville and Susan Hall, Bob and Linda McMath, Mike Pierce and Trish Starks, Charles and Reynelda Robinson, and the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. In 2024, Path alumni also raised funds for an additional scholarship in celebration of the program’s 10-year anniversary.

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 $3 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.