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 2026-27 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 really excited about this incoming class of Donaghey Scholars. Their median GPA and ACT scores are among the highest we’ve seen, and they come from such a wide range of majors and backgrounds that they’ll bring a really unique mix of perspectives to our classes,” Scott said. “On top of that, we have just had orientation and they’re just a genuinely fun, engaged, and very social group, which is exactly the kind of energy that makes our courses come alive. We can’t wait to see what they do when they get to UA Little Rock in the fall.
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:
- Graydon Anderson, Little Rock, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Anthropology
- Noah Beaver, Russellville, Russellville High School, Criminal Justice
- Sadie Berry, Bryant, Bryant High School, Biology
- Naomi Brooks, Conway, Conway High School, ASL and English
- Jericho Brown, Cabot, Cabot High School, Social Work
- Miray Fahmi, Little Rock, Joe T. Robinson High School, Biology
- Mohammed Fahmi, Little Rock, Joe T. Robinson High School, Biology
- Meckenzie Fassett, Gassville, Cotter High School, Computer Science
- Kayden Forrest, Paragould, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Political Science
- Kennedy-Lailany Henton, Benton, Bryant High School, Philosophy
- Ruslan Kadyrov, Semey, Kazakhstan, Little Rock Central High School / Abai IT School, Management
- Samantha Lindstrom, Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Biology
- Daniel Lopez, Glenwood, Caddo Hills High School, Biology
- Tristan Lowry, Little Rock, Homeschool, Geology
- Vanessa Marsh, Friendswood, Clear Brook High School, Biology
- Zada McCain, Hempwallace, Lake Hamilton High School, Art
- Lillie Parker, Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Marketing
- Gargi Patel, Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Civil and Construction Engineering
- Logan Roggeman, East End, Comm. Central Academy, Mechanical Engineering
- Andrew Schlesier, Salem, Bryant High School, Computer Science
- Bayyinah Sherrill, Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Art
- Jacob Torello, Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, History
- Sameer Walajahi, Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Biology
- Kamryn Young, Conway, Conway High School, Nursing
- Nathalie Young, Russellville, Russellville High School, Biology
You can find out more about the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program and how to apply by visiting ualr.edu/donagheyscholars.