Honors College Names 10 Natural State Fellows From Across Arkansas

The U of A Honors College has awarded the Natural State Fellowship to 10 incoming freshmen from across Arkansas, each bringing a wide range of interests and talents. 

The prestigious fellowship provides up to $80,000 over four years to cover tuition, fees, books, room and board and other academic expenses. This support enables students to pursue original research, study abroad, service learning and other enriching academic experiences. 

To qualify, incoming students must first satisfy the ACT/SAT and GPA requirements for fellowship consideration. Students must also be Arkansas residents who meet at least one of the following criteria: have significant financial need, plan to enroll as a first-generation college student or come from a geographic area of the state that is less well represented at the university.  

Recipients can combine fellowship funds with other scholarships and grants, including the more than $1 million in study abroad and research grants awarded annually by the Honors College.  

"Following on the heels of the inaugural class of Natural State Fellows, who have set a high bar for academic excellence, this second cohort is equally poised for greatness," said Lynda Coon, dean of the Honors College. "Their commitment to our state, their high level of engagement in high school and their stellar academic records will translate beautifully into the Honors College." 

The 2026 Natural State Fellows are:  

• Eber Barraza — Prairie Grove 

• Lindsay Dunsing — Alpena 

• Daniel Flores — Lamar 

• Karsen Kohler — Greenwood 

• Kashlee Morgan — Mountain View 

• Bhavinesh Patel — Fort Smith 

• Rose Patella — Hot Springs 

• Van Sang — New Edinburg 

• Markaria Thomas — Marion 

• Peyton Thompson — Sherwood 

By prioritizing local talent, the Natural State Fellowship underscores the Honors College's commitment to retaining Arkansas' brightest students and strengthening recruitment efforts. It also expands support for students from all regions of the state and socioeconomic backgrounds, reinforcing the U of A's land-grant mission and advancing Chancellor Charles F. Robinson's strategic goal of broadening educational access for Arkansans. 

2026 Natural State Fellows 

Eber Barraza graduated from Prairie Grove High School, where he served as president of the National Honor Society and participated in football, Quiz Bowl and National History Day. Through these activities, he developed leadership skills while encouraging and supporting his teammates and classmates. 

Outside of school, Barraza volunteered as a coach for United Football, working with students with special needs, and was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also helped lead National Honor Society induction ceremonies and continued serving his school and community through academic and service organizations. 

Barraza is an AP Scholar with Distinction and received his school's AP U.S. History Award, GT Seminar Award and Honors Biology Award. He also qualified for the state competitions in both Quiz Bowl and National History Day. 

He plans to major in mechanical engineering and is the son of Edith Navarro and Moises Barraza. 

Lindsay Dunsing graduated from Alpena High School, where she served as president of her Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter, class president and as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team. She also competed in Quiz Bowl, helping lead her teams to regional championships and state competition appearances. 

Outside of school, Dunsing worked as an aide in her school's 21st Century Community Learning Center, tutoring students and assisting teachers while gaining firsthand experience in education. She also participated in the Academy for Public Service's Model Government program, served on U.S. Sen. John Boozman's Congressional Youth Cabinet and volunteered in the nursery at her church. 

Dunsing attended Arkansas Governor's School, is an AP Scholar and earned Honor Roll recognition throughout high school. She also received a silver medal in the FCCLA State STAR Events Interior Design competition. 

She plans to explore majors in the College of Education and Health Professions and is the daughter of Berniece Dunsing. 

Daniel Flores graduated from Lamar High School, where he served as president of the Spanish Club, vice president of the Student Council and reporter for his senior class. He also competed in football and track and field, helping his team win three consecutive district track championships.

Outside of school, Flores participated in the Arkansas Tech University Upward Bound Summer Program, volunteered through his church choir and led the annual Christmas Posadas celebration for his community. Through his leadership roles, he organized fundraising events, community service projects and school activities while developing a passion for serving others. 

Flores is an AP Scholar, earned the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy and was selected to attend Arkansas Boys State. He also maintained All A Honor Roll throughout high school and is a member of the National Beta Club. 

He plans to major in nursing and is the son of Gloria and Alfonso Flores. 

Karsen Kohler graduated from Greenwood High School, where she served as vice president of communications for the school's DECA chapter and as class treasurer for three years. She also participated in Future Business Leaders of America, National Beta Club and the National Honor Society, developing leadership and service skills through school and community involvement. 

Outside of school, Kohler worked 18 to 20 hours each week at Geno's Pizza by the Slice/Baskin Robbins while balancing a full academic schedule. She also became a primary caregiver for her grandmother during her cancer treatment, helping with daily care and medication while demonstrating compassion, resilience and responsibility. 

Kohler is an AP Scholar with Honor, an AP Scholar and a consistent Honor Roll student. Through her leadership organizations, she volunteered throughout her community and helped organize school events while mentoring younger students. 

She plans to major in advertising and public relations and is the daughter of Heather and Keith Kohler. 

Kashlee Morgan graduated from Mountain View High School, where she served as captain of the varsity dance team and represented both the dance and softball teams in student government. She also participated in Beta Club and Future Business Leaders of America, balancing leadership roles with success in athletics and academics. 

Outside of school, Morgan volunteered on mission trips, serving at Casa De Fe orphanage in Ecuador and at children's ministries in Arkansas. She also worked as a summer intern at her church, helping plan youth programs and Vacation Bible School, and was employed at Stone County Health and Fitness, assisting members and managing daily operations. 

Morgan is an AP Scholar with Honor and earned top class honors in both AP Environmental Science and AP World History. She also maintained Honor Roll status throughout high school, received All-Conference recognition in softball each year and earned All-State Honorable Mention.  

She plans to major in history and is the daughter of Kasey Morgan and Wesly Morgan. 

Bhavinesh Patel graduated from Southside High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and a leader in the school band as flute and piccolo section leader. He earned All-Region Band honors throughout high school and was selected to the Arkansas All-State Band as a junior. 

Outside of school, Patel worked at Chick-fil-A, serving customers and supporting daily restaurant operations while balancing his academic and extracurricular commitments. He also volunteered through Immaculate Conception School and Church, assisting with parish events, school activities and community fundraisers, and participated in additional service projects through the National Honor Society. 

Patel earned All-State and multiple All-Region band honors and was runner-up in the Sebastian County Spelling Bee.  

He plans to major in architecture and is the son of Anusha Silvester-Patel and Paresh Patel. 

Rose Patella graduated from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, where she served as a community leader in the residence halls, an admissions delegate and vice chair of the Garland and Montgomery Youth Advisory Council. Through these roles, she organized campus events, welcomed prospective students and helped distribute more than $25,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations. 

Outside of school, Patella participated in the U.S. Department of State's National Security Language Initiative for Youth, spending six weeks immersed in Turkish language and culture as one of 15 students selected for the program. She also worked for Domino's Pizza and Elior North America while balancing her academics, competed in ultimate frisbee and made time each week for mountain biking. 

Patella received ASMSA's Outstanding Junior Chemistry Student and Outstanding U.S. History Student awards and previously earned the Highest ACT Score Award at Lisa Academy North High School.  

She plans to major in biomedical engineering and is the son of Jacqueline Bouchard and Michael Patella. 

Van Sang graduated from Rison High School, where he served as president of the Chess Club and captain of the Quiz Bowl team. He also founded a community Rubik's Cube Club, mentoring younger participants and organizing weekly meetings and competitions. 

Outside of school, Sang helped manage his family's poultry farm, assisting with the care of more than 160,000 chickens and maintaining daily farm operations. He also volunteered with his family's Burmese community clothing sales, and cared for his younger siblings and an ill family member while balancing his academic responsibilities. 

Sang led his Chess Club to a first-place finish at the CAAS LRCH Grand Prix and earned multiple regional chess honors, including two Most Valuable Player awards. He is also an AP Scholar and received the WorkKeys Platinum Certificate. 

He plans to major in biology and is the son of Sung Hniang and Hre Thang. 

Markaria Thomas graduated from Marion High School, where she founded and served as president of the school's Junior Optimist International chapter and was elected vice chair of the National Honor Society Leadership Committee. She also competed on the tennis team and was a member of Mu Alpha Theta. 

Outside of school, Thomas volunteered as an online tutor with Learn To Be, providing academic support to students in underserved communities. She also worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Crittenden County through its Limitless Success Summer Workforce for Teens program, assisting with youth activities, community events and fundraising efforts. 

Thomas is a QuestBridge National College Match Finalist, QuestBridge College Prep Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction. She also earned College Board National Recognition Program honors and placed second in the Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics regional AP Statistics competition, qualifying for the state competition. 

She plans to major in psychology and is the daughter of Samantha Dixon. 

Peyton Thompson graduated from Sylvan Hills High School, where she served as an ambassador for the Academies of Central Arkansas Business Management pathway, president of the Rotary/Interact Club and secretary of the National Honor Society. She also contributed to her school's newspaper and yearbook as social media coordinator and writer. 

Outside of school, Thompson served as social media co-coordinator for her church's youth group and volunteered in its children's ministry. She also represented the Sherwood Chamber of Commerce as a youth ambassador, coordinated teacher feedback initiatives through Student Voice and helped organize schoolwide community service projects. 

Thompson is an AP Scholar with Distinction, a National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta member and maintained an All-A Honor Roll throughout high school. She was also recognized as Student of the Month and earned gold recognition as a regional finalist in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Students Taking Action with Recognition competition. 

She plans to major in marketing and is the daughter of Amber and Stephen Thompson. 

About the Honors College: The University of Arkansas Honors College was established in 2002 and brings together high-achieving undergraduate students and the university's top professors to share transformative learning experiences. Each year the Honors College awards fellowships that provide $80,000 over four years, and more than $1 million in undergraduate research and study abroad grants. The Honors College is nationally recognized for the high caliber of students it admits and graduates. Honors students enjoy small, in-depth classes, and programs are offered in all disciplines, tailored to students' academic interests, with interdisciplinary collaborations encouraged. All Honors College graduates have engaged in mentored research. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U  of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.