UA Little Rock Welcomes Latest Cohort of Donaghey Scholars to Campus
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is welcoming 25 new and talented students to the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program for the 2025-26 academic year.
The new cohort of Donaghey Scholars represent the best and brightest students at UA Little Rock. Members receive a financial package that covers full tuition and fees, a stipend, financial assistance for a study abroad program, a housing subsidy, and a new laptop. The program is run by Dr. Simon Hawkins, director, Dr. Jessica Scott, associate director, and Ian Gale, administrative specialist.
“We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of Donaghey Scholars to UA Little Rock,” Hawkins said. “This outstanding group of students represents the very best of what UA Little Rock has to offer. Their curiosity, leadership, and dedication to excellence will enrich our campus community and set the tone for continued academic distinction.”
The admissions process is highly competitive. The most promising applicants are invited to campus for an interview with the program directors, faculty, and current and past members of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. Admission decisions are based on academic records, test scores, extracurricular activities, intellectual curiosity, recommendation letters, and admissions essays.
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 are listed in alphabetical order along with their hometowns, high schools, and majors:
- Nathan Alam, White Hall, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Biology
- Sydney Bergeron, East End, Sheridan High School, Biology
- Micah Cantu, Russellville, Russellville High School, Civil Engineering
- Kendall Cloar, Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Biology-Pre-Med
- Delaney Cooper, Benton, Benton High School, Biology
- Adyn Cunningham, England, England High School, Cybersecurity
- Avagail Dunning, Ozone, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Ecology and Organismal Biology
- Dorcas Fabunmi, Bryant, Bryant High School, Biology
- Iona Gillham, Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Chemistry
- Evelyn Goedge, Romeo, Michigan, Romeo High School, Biology-Pre-Med
- Anna Hooten, Guy, Quitman High School, English
- Salihah Jakoet, Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Kyah Kaufman, Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Communication Disorders and Sciences
- Calen Long, Fort Smith, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Cybersecurity
- Makayla Lowry, Charleston, South Carolina, Homeschool, Nursing
- Kaemo Mainard O’Connell, Little Rock, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, Interdisciplinary Studies
- Joshua Morehart, Little Rock, Hall-West High School of Innovation, History
- Justin Nicholson, Pine Bluff, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Brian Nwugbana, The Woodlands, Texas, The Woodlands High School, Biology-Pre-Med
- Esau Resendiz, Bryant, Bryant High School, Mechanical Engineering
- Leila Scroggins, Maumelle, Maumelle Charter High School, Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Price Sheets, Cabot, Cabot High School, who just finished his freshman year as a finance major at UA Little Rock
- Savannah Stanton, Jonesboro, Jonesboro High School, Biology and Anthropology
- Jason Tomas-Velasquez, Little Rock, Mills High School, Construction Management
- Kalyn You, Everton, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Chemistry
You can find out more about the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program and how to apply by visiting ualr.edu/donagheyscholars.