Twenty-Five Students Selected for UA Little Rock’s Prestigious Donaghey Scholars Honors Program
Twenty-five outstanding students from across Arkansas and beyond have been selected to join the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for the 2026-27 academic year.
Selected from an applicant pool of 115 students, the incoming class enters UA Little Rock with an average high school GPA of 4.29.
The Donaghey Scholars Honors Program provides a scholarship package valued at approximately $92,000 to $100,000 over four years. Scholars receive full tuition and fees, a housing subsidy, a stipend, a laptop, and funding for a required international study experience, allowing them to focus on research, leadership, service, and academic exploration throughout their college careers.
At the heart of the Donaghey Scholars experience is an interdisciplinary curriculum where students from every academic discipline explore complex questions through discussion, writing, collaborative projects, and engagement with the Little Rock community. The program encourages scholars to think across traditional academic boundaries while using Arkansas’s capital city as an extension of the classroom.
Founded in 1987 through the support of the George W. Donaghey Foundation, the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program reflects a legacy that stretches back nearly a century. Former Arkansas governor George W. Donaghey and his wife, Louvenia, established the Donaghey Foundation in 1929 with a singular purpose: to support Little Rock Junior College, the institution that would eventually become the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Their gift, recognized as the largest bequest in Arkansas history at the time, created one of the longest-standing philanthropic partnerships in the university’s history.
George Donaghey believed education created opportunity and dedicated much of his public life to expanding access to higher education in Arkansas. Through the George W. Donaghey Foundation, his vision continues today by supporting student success, academic excellence, leadership development, and transformative opportunities at UA Little Rock. The Donaghey Scholars Honors Program is one of the Donaghey Foundation’s signature investments in preparing future leaders.
“One of the greatest privileges of the Donaghey Foundation is helping open doors for extraordinary students,” said Greg Flesher, president of the Donaghey Foundation. “These scholars have demonstrated exceptional talent, curiosity, and leadership. We are proud to invest in their futures and are excited for the difference they will make in Arkansas and beyond.”
That investment continues to pay dividends through the accomplishments of Donaghey alumni. The Donaghey Scholars Honors Program has prepared hundreds of graduates for careers and advanced study in medicine, law, business, education, research, public service, and the arts. More than 70% of Donaghey alumni go on to earn graduate or professional degrees, nearly double the national average. Among program alumni, approximately 15% earn doctoral degrees, 10% become physicians, and 10% earn law degrees.
The program’s impact extends well beyond the classroom. Nearly two-thirds of Donaghey alumni remain in Arkansas, where they are helping strengthen communities as physicians, educators, engineers, attorneys, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists, and public servants.
That legacy continues to grow each year. During the past year alone, Donaghey alumni earned three doctoral degrees, three medical degrees, three law degrees, one veterinary doctorate, and five master’s degrees. Alumni also received a National Science Foundation award, Windgate Foundation fellowships, recognition in Best Lawyers in America, and statewide honors for leadership in healthcare, law, public service, and community impact.
“We’re excited to welcome this year’s class of Donaghey Scholars,” said Dr. Jessica Scott, associate director of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. “They are outstanding students academically, but what stands out just as much is their curiosity and willingness to engage with new ideas. They bring a wide range of interests and experiences, and we know they’ll challenge one another, learn from one another, and make meaningful contributions both on campus and throughout the Little Rock community.”
Admission to the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, essays, recommendations, and intellectual curiosity. Finalists participate in an on-campus interview process with program leaders, faculty members, and current scholars before the incoming class is selected.
The Class of 2030 includes Arkansas Governor’s School alumni, nationally recognized speech and debate competitors, Model Arab League and Model United Nations award winners, accomplished athletes, artists, writers, student leaders, entrepreneurs, aspiring physicians and engineers, and the first twins admitted to the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program in more than a decade.
Meet the 2026-27 Donaghey Scholars
Graydon Anderson of Little Rock graduated from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, where he earned a Distinguished Delegation Award at the Arkansas High School Model Arab League Conference. He plans to major in anthropology.
Noah Beaver graduated from Russellville High School, where he qualified for the National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament in Big Question Debate. He plans to major in criminal justice.
Sadie Berry graduated from Bryant High School, where she earned an Honorable Mention as head delegate for the United Kingdom delegation at the Arkansas Model United Nations conference. She plans to major in biology.
Naomi Brooks graduated from Conway High School, where she was named a National Speech & Debate Association Academic All-American, an honor earned by fewer than 2% of the organization’s student members. She plans to major in American Sign Language and English.
Jericho Brown graduated from Cabot High School, where she earned the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing proficiency in English and another language. She plans to major in social work.
Miray Fahmi of Little Rock graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School after attending Arkansas Governor’s School and being named Academy Ambassador of the Year through the Academies of Central Arkansas. She plans to major in biology.
Mohammed Fahmi of Little Rock graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School after attending Arkansas Governor’s School and being recognized by Soirée magazine as the school’s Head of the Class for 2026. He plans to major in biology.
Meckenzie Fassett of Gassville graduated from Cotter High School after attending Arkansas Governor’s School and earning third place in Business Communication at the Arkansas FBLA State Leadership Conference. She plans to major in computer science.
Kayden Forrest of Paragould graduated from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, where he was active in the school’s literary arts community and performed original work during the Hot Springs Wednesday Night Poetry open mic series. He plans to major in political science.
Kennedy-Lailany Henton of Benton graduated from Bryant High School after attending Arkansas Governor’s School, Girls State, and interning with the Saline County Public Defender’s Office. She plans to major in philosophy.
Ruslan Kadyrov of Semey, Kazakhstan, studied at Little Rock Central High School during the 2025-26 academic year as a Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program participant. A product designer, he also served as a FLEX and Civic Education Workshop ambassador. He plans to major in management.
Samantha Lindstrom of Little Rock graduated from Little Rock Central High School and plans to major in biology.
Daniel Lopez of Glenwood graduated from Caddo Hills High School and attended Arkansas Boys State, where he joined students from across the state in a weeklong leadership and civic engagement program. He plans to major in biology.
Tristan Lowry of Little Rock was homeschooled and plans to major in geology.
Vanessa Marsh of Friendswood, Texas, graduated from Clear Brook High School, where she was a state-level swimmer in the 500-yard freestyle and breaststroke before signing to compete for the UA Little Rock swimming and diving team. She plans to major in biology.
Zada McCain of Hempwallace graduated from Lake Hamilton High School, where she was recognized as one of the top 5% of graduates in Garland County. She plans to major in art.
Lillie Parker of Little Rock graduated from Little Rock Central High School, where she was the Class AAA girls 145-pound state wrestling runner-up and was active in the school’s award-winning creative writing program. She plans to major in marketing.
Gargi Patel of Little Rock graduated from Little Rock Central High School after earning a certificate of proficiency through concurrent enrollment. Gargi plans to major in civil and construction engineering.
Logan Roggeman of East End graduated from Communication and Community Central Academy, where he completed concurrent college coursework while in high school. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Andrew Schlesier of Salem graduated from Bryant High School, where he served as percussion ensemble captain and section leader for the band. He plans to major in computer science.
Bayyinah Sherrill of Little Rock graduated from Little Rock Central High School as an AP Scholar. She plans to major in art.
Jacob Torello of Little Rock graduated from Little Rock Central High School, where he served as team captain of the state runner-up Mock Trial team and earned third place for Best Bill at the Arkansas Student Congress. He plans to major in history.
Sameer Walajahi of Little Rock graduated from Little Rock Central High School, where he was a finalist in the Perfect Pitch Competition. He plans to major in biology.
Kamryn Young graduated from Conway High School, where she placed third in the ACTM Regional Mathematics Contest and was a member of the school’s award-winning Speech & Debate team. She plans to major in nursing.
Nathalie Young graduated from Russellville High School after attending Arkansas Governor’s School, earning AP Scholar with Distinction recognition, serving on the Russellville Youth Council, and being selected as the school’s Colors Day Queen. She plans to major in biology.
Earlier this month, the incoming scholars gathered on campus for orientation, where they met one another, connected with current scholars and faculty, and began the journey that will officially continue this fall. Learn more about the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program at ualr.edu/donagheyscholars.