Farmington Grad Selected For UA Program

FAYETTEVILLE — Isabella McPherson of Farmington is one of 22 incoming University of Arkansas freshmen chosen to be part of the Honors College Path Program this fall.

McPherson recently graduated from Farmington High School. She plans to major in biology in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. She is the daughter of Robert McPherson.

The Path Program is a mentoring initiative that recruits talented high school students from underrepresented populations and helps them achieve academic success at the University of Arkansas.

For the first time, all of the incoming Path freshmen will receive up to $5,500 in renewable scholarships, thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation and additional private support from U of A donors.

The incoming group of Path students has already started a five-week summer bridge program. The students will have the opportunity to work with top Honors College faculty on a one-hour, discipline-specific introduction to research. They will also form groups centered on specific research interests, led by faculty mentors, that will continue into their first semester as freshmen at the University of Arkansas. All Path students benefit from shared housing, academic success advising, peer and professional mentoring, and study abroad, research and internship opportunities.

The Path Program, has already developed a strong track record, with many of its students joining the Honors College. The first class of Path students, who enrolled in 2014, all graduated in four years.