UTSA announces 2023-2024 Top Scholars

MAY 11, 2023 — UTSA announced today that 10 high-achieving Texans have been named to its Fall 2023 Top Scholar program, a competitive four-year program that combines a merit-based scholarship with personalized experiences in academics, leadership and community service.

These scholars were selected from a pool of more than 200 applicants which were narrowed down to 33 finalists who were invited to campus earlier this year. The 10 students who have committed to join the Top Scholar Roadrunner family this fall rank among the top 3% of their high school class and earned mean SAT/ACT scores of 1425/32, respectively.

Managed by the UTSA Honors College, the Top Scholar program is a community of best-in-class students who are intellectually curious and eager to pursue knowledge and achievement. The program focuses on knowledge, leadership and service and is recognized across Texas for developing award-winning and academically talented student leaders.

Each Top Scholar receives a comprehensive, last-dollar scholarship for up to four years (eight fall/spring semesters) that includes funding for tuition, fees, and room and board. The scholars also receive support for internships and study abroad programs.

Additionally, Top Scholars enjoy signature programming that may include interaction with senior university and community leaders, attendance at conferences and the opportunity to meet recognized scholars in their chosen fields, one-on-one advising and personalized career development, and participation in cultural and community service events.

“Over the last decade, the Top Scholar program has helped so many young scholars discover and channel their passions while developing into tomorrow’s leaders,” said Kristi Meyer, assistant dean for special programs within the UTSA Honors College. “In turn, our Top Scholars have contributed so much to the university and greater communities. They are highly motivated to make a difference in the world and are deeply engaged in their communities, and this incoming class is no exception. We are thrilled to welcome another terrific group of Top Scholars to UTSA this fall.”

Fall 2023 UTSA Top Scholars Cohort

Sahana Babu, a San Antonian, is a senior at the BASIS San Antonio Shavano Campus. She will join UTSA as a neuroscience major and aspires to become a physician or researcher, following in her parents’ footsteps.

Madeleine “Maddie” Burroughs, a San Antonian, is a senior at Louis D. Brandeis High School. She will join UTSA as a kinesiology major and aspires to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Jonah Espinoza, a San Antonian, is a senior at Tom C. Clark High School. He will join UTSA as a political science major and aspires to become an attorney in the federal government.

Zeina Hijazi, a San Antonian, is a senior at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy. She will join UTSA as a biomedical engineering major and aspires to build a career in medicine or engineering.

Megan Ho, a resident of Plano, Texas, is a senior at Plano East Senior High School. She will join UTSA as a medical humanities major and aspires to build a career in dentistry.

Ashley Monrroy, a resident of Alamo, Texas, is a senior at PSJA Memorial Early College High School. She will join UTSA as a business major and aspires to build a career in marketing.

Collin Nguyen, a resident of Sugar Land, Texas, is a senior at George Ranch High School. He will join UTSA as a biomedical engineering major and aspires to become a physician, oncologist and/or medical technology developer.

Ricky Pagnozzi II, a resident of Tomball, Texas, is a senior at Klein Cain High School. He will join UTSA as a multicultural early childhood development major and aspires to become a teacher and pediatric therapist.

Chizitere Ohaji, a San Antonian, is a senior at Harlan High School. She will join UTSA as a biochemistry major and aspires to become a reconstructive surgeon.

Kamian Simpson, a resident of Live Oak, Texas, is a senior at Theodore Roosevelt High School. She will join UTSA as a computer science major and aspires to become a software developer and programmer.

UTSA Top Scholars must be Texas residents who are entering college for the first time. The most competitive students rank within the top 5% of their high school class and score 1440 or higher on the new SAT or 32 or higher on the ACT, in semesters when one of these exams is required for admission.

Aside from academic excellence, UTSA Top Scholars are in part selected based on their strong record of volunteerism, community engagement and leadership experiences. For example, current and past scholars are Eagle Scouts, founders of non-profit organizations, heavily involved in school clubs and extracurricular activities, and many of them regularly volunteer in their community.

To remain in the program, the students must maintain a UTSA GPA of at least 3.5, live on campus, complete 30 hours each academic year, complete at least one community service and leadership development project each year, and actively participate in all aspects of the program.

Applications for the incoming Fall 2024 class will open in September 2023 and are due on December 1, 2023.

UTSA Top Scholars also benefit from being part of the diverse and close-knit community of scholars within the Honors College. Home to about 1,800 hardworking, achievement-oriented, conscientious students across all majors, the UTSA Honors College offers one of the most unique experiential honors curricula in the nation. Its practical, hands-on approach to learning allows students to chart their own path and achieve their highest potential. In addition to the Top Scholar program, the college also manages the prestigious Terry Scholar® Program at UTSA.

— Christi Fish and KC Gonzalez