The 44th class of University Scholars and their faculty mentors were recognized during a reception hosted by the University of Kansas Honors Program on Feb. 10 in the Kansas Room of the Kansas Union. Attendees celebrated with refreshments and heard remarks from University Honors Program director Sarah Crawford-Parker, as well as University Distinguished Professor Sarah Deer, who both reflected on the program and the opportunities it presents this year’s cohort.  

Since 1982, the University Scholars Program has recognized and encouraged sophomores who demonstrate intellectual achievement and curiosity. Selected students receive a scholarship, are assigned a faculty mentor to support their academic endeavors and engage with a topic of contemporary interest as part of an interdisciplinary seminar course.

This spring’s seminar, “Law, Inequality, and Human Rights in the United States,” is taught by Deer, a faculty member in KU’s Department of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, School of Law, and School of Public Affairs & Administration. The course asks students to investigate the inequalities that persist in American society and, using research, identify solutions to address these issues.

Deer sees the seminar, which is already underway, as a space in which she and her students will “develop concrete policy proposals to address inequality in the United States” through productive collaboration and shared discovery.

“I hope that all of us will learn together,” said Deer, adding: “I believe I will learn more from the students than they learn from me.”

The 2025 University Scholars are listed below alphabetically with major, hometown and faculty mentor: 

Samantha Adorno Areco, sophomore in computer science from Asunción, Paraguay, mentored by Paul Scott, professor of French.

Sarem Adugna, sophomore in biology from Olathe, mentored by Najarian Peters, associate professor of law.

Elena Akerberg, sophomore in Spanish and digital marketing communications, advertising, & public relations from Crystal Lake, Illinois, mentored by Sarah Crawford-Parker, honors program director and associate teaching professor of museum studies.

Wazi Asjad, sophomore in economics and microbiology from Mission Hills, mentored by Christopher Beard, Distinguished Foundation Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.

Emily Clausen, sophomore in chemical engineering from Overland Park, mentored by Megan Kaminski, professor of English and environmental studies.

Gerardo Fornoza, sophomore in political science from Wichita, mentored by Ray Mizamura-Pence, associate teaching professor of American studies.

Sophia Herrera, sophomore in political science and Spanish from Kansas City, Missouri, mentored by Mary Klayder, lecturer, Department of English.

Paige Hinca, sophomore in archeology from Salina, mentored by Elizabeth MacGonagle, associate professor of history and African & African-American studies.

Lolly Hindman, sophomore in economics and sociology from Edwards, Colorado, mentored by Thom Allen, honors program associate director and assistant professor of practice in urban planning.

Jaden Huehl, sophomore in secondary English education and multimedia journalism from Sylvan Grove, mentored by Tracey LaPierre, director of undergraduate studies and associate professor of sociology.

Khadijah Khaliq, sophomore in psychology from Overland Park, mentored by Dave Tell, professor of communication studies.

Amelia Knopp, sophomore in accounting and sociology from Manhattan, mentored by Yvonnes Chen, professor of journalism & mass communications.

Taylor Layman, sophomore in ecology, evolutionary, & organismal biology and environmental studies from Independence, Missouri, mentored by James Blakemore, associate professor of chemistry.

Thomas Loub, sophomore in chemistry from Manhattan, mentored by Anne Kretsinger-Harries, assistant specialist, Department of Communications Studies.

Jacob Manning, sophomore in behavioral neuroscience and biology from Lawrence, mentored by Darren Canady, professor of English.

Nick Moran, sophomore in architectural studies from St. Louis, mentored by Kyle Camarda, associate professor of chemical & petroleum engineering.

Oluwafemi Odusanya, sophomore in electrical engineering from Lagos, Nigeria, mentored by Amy Leyerzapf, senior lecturer in leadership studies.

Jyoshika Padmanaban, sophomore in molecular, cellular, & developmental biology from Overland Park, mentored by RB Perelmutter, associate professor of Jewish studies and Slavic, German, & Eurasian studies.

Sasha Sharman, sophomore in behavioral neuroscience and philosophy from Spokane, Washington, mentored by Megan Kaminski.

Isabella Souza, sophomore in language, culture & rhetoric from Shawnee, mentored by Nilou Vakil, associate professor of architecture & design.

Avery Vance, sophomore in psychology from St. Louis, mentored by Najarian Peters.

Macyn Ward, sophomore in behavioral neuroscience from McPherson, mentored by Anne Kretsinger-Harries.

Created to recognize and encourage academically talented and motivated sophomores, the University Scholars Program was founded under the leadership of retired U.S. 10th Circuit Chief Judge Deanell Tacha, then KU’s vice chancellor for academic affairs, along with longtime University Honors Program director Francis Heller, the Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor of Law and Political Science.