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UA Little Rock Welcomes New Donaghey Scholars Cohort

The new freshmen class of the UA Little Rock Donaghey Scholars program. Photo by Ben Krain.
Incoming freshmen in the UA Little Rock Donaghey Scholars program. Photo by Ben Krain.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is excited to welcome 25 new and talented students to the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Donaghey Scholars represent the best and brightest at UA Little Rock. They receive a financial package that includes full tuition and fees, a stipend, financial assistance to study abroad, a housing subsidy, and a new laptop. The program is run by Dr. Simon Hawkins, director, and Dr. Jessica Scott, associate director.

The admissions process is highly competitive. The most promising applicants are invited to campus for an interview. Admission decisions are based on academic record, test scores, leadership ability, community service, interest in other cultures, recommendation letters, admissions essays, and the interview.

The program features an interdisciplinary core curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, writing, discussion, and project-based learning that engages with the city of Little Rock.

The new Donaghey Scholars and their hometown, high school, and intended major are:

·  Dana Abou-Diab, of Little Rock, LISA Academy West High School, Psychology

·  Ramsey Alhajjaj, Benton, Benton High School, Undecided

·  Vivian Angeles, Benton, Centerpoint High School, English

·  Joyce Childers, Van Buren, West Fork High School, Chemistry

·  Emily DeAtley, Mountain Home, Mountain Home High School, Nursing

·  Olivia Hausman, Conway, Pocahontas High School, Computer Science

·  Owen Haynes, White Hall, White Hall High School, Political Science

·  Paige Henry, Rockwall, Texas, Rockwall High School, Political Science

·  Vasti Hernandez, Benton, Centerpoint High School, Nursing

·  Warren Hoyt, Huntsville, Alabama, Virgil Grissom High School, Mathematics

·  Hannah Jones, of Bryant, Bryant High School, Engineering

·  Selin Kartika, of Little Rock, LISA Academy West High School, Accounting

·  Charity Kelly, of North Little Rock, Sylvan Hills High School, Psychology

·  Spencer Knight, of Little Rock, eStem High School, Computer Science

·  Octavia Lydic, of Walhalla, South Carolina, Sacred Heart Homeschool, ASL

·  Mary Grace McAfee, of Texarkana, Texas High School, Biology

·  Kelsey Miller, of Hardy, Highland High School, Biology

·  Armin Mortazi, of Mountain Home, Mountain Home High School, Biology

·  Rayaan Muhammad, of Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Biology

·  Keylee Nixon, of El Dorado, El Dorado High School, ASL

·  Josh Pack, of Barling, Southside High School, Biology

·  Adrian Rogers, of Little Rock, Episcopal Collegiate School, Art

·  Jacelyn Simmons, of Star City, Star City High School, Nursing

·  Allison Stigarll, of Mansfield, Texas, Mansfield High School, Business

·  Isabel Ward, of Clarksville, Oark High School, Political Science