2026 EOA Scholarship Winners

We are thrilled to announce the 2026 Educational Opportunity Association (EOA) Scholarship Winners. After careful consideration, and review of numerous membership nominations paired with outstanding applications, we have selected exceptional students who have demonstrated remarkable persistence, grit, leadership, and dedication to educational achievement.

Without further do, please join us in congratulating the following individuals:

Chapter Scholarship Name Student's Name TRIO Program Institution Nominators Name Award
IA EOA Board of Directors Finalist Rita Mwavita Upward Bound Simpson College Erica Benson $1,000
IA EOA Foundation Board of Directors Finalist Brandon Herrejon-Zavalza Student Support Services Coe College Nikki Slack $1,500
Chapter Scholarship Name Student's Name TRIO Program Institution Nominators Name
IL EOA Foundation Board of Directors Finalist Arely Carreno-Guadalupe Student Support Services Illinois State University LaToya Carter $1,500
IL Purnell-Finalist Jonealya Wells-Mohn Ronald E. McNair Scholars Knox College Risa Lopez $1,500
IL Mitchem/McNair Finalist Jonealya Wells-Mohn Ronald E. McNair Scholars Knox College Risa Lopez $1,500
Chapter Scholarship Name Student's Name TRIO Program Institution Nominators Name
IN EOA Board of Directors Finalist James Pointer Upward Bound Math/Science Purdue University Northwest Sandtricia Dean $1,000
IN Robert Jenkins Finalist Leilani Jenkins Talent Search Purdue University Northwest Letise Jenkins $1,500
IN Veterans Finalist Joshua Keeler Student Support Services Ivy Tech - Fort Wayne Amanda Pickett $1,000
Chapter Scholarship Name Student's Name TRIO Program Institution Nominators Name
MI EOA Board of Directors Finalist Kelley Pearson Upward Bound Wayne State University Marc Smith $1,000
MI EOA Foundation Board of Directors Finalist Travis Mills Student Support Services Bay College Matt Stewart $1,500
MI Cantale-Finalist Shayla Lopez Upward Bound Grand Valley State University Yessenia Aguillon $1,500
MI Ganges-Finalist Jonvaya Donley Upward Bound Grand Valley State University Yessenia Aguillon $1,500
MI Pruitt-Finalist Amanda Trusty Upward Bound Hope College Toby Hutchins $1,500
Chapter Scholarship Name Student's Name TRIO Program Institution Nominators Name
MN EOA Board of Directors Finalist Amelia Vue Upward Bound North Hennepin Community College Bethany Sekora $1,000
MN EOA Foundation Board of Directors Finalist Tyson Pope SSS St. Olaf College Melissa Melgar $1,500
Chapter Scholarship Name Student's Name TRIO Program Institution Nominators Name
MKN Bridges & Ladders Finalist Payton Edmonds Student Support Services Northwest Missouri State University Niki Richardson $1,500
MKN Dr. Celerstine Johnson Finalist Emily Poynter Student Support Services Northwest Missouri State University Niki Richardson $1,500
MKN EOA Board of Directors Finalist (MO) Aline Guilavogui Upward Bound Truman State University Erika Sterup $1,000
MKN EOA Board of Directors Finalist (KS) Charly Nicolas Estrada Upward Bound Math/Science Wichita State University Jordan Winston $1,000
MKN EOA Board of Directors Finalist (NE) Christina Khain Upward Bound Math/Science Metropolitan Community College Jonathan Berliew $1,000
MKN EOA Foundation Board of Directors Finalist (MO) Destiny Acosta Student Support Services Univeristy of Missouri Columbia Bethany Holt $1,500
MKN EOA Foundation Board of Directors Finalistt (KS) Ely Nunez Ronald E. McNair Scholars Wichita State University Sara Gallo Baltazar $1,500
MKN EOA Foundation Board of Directors Finalist (NE) Ethan Shelburne Student Support Services Southeast Community College Sarah Aguirre $1,500
MKN Mitchem/McNair Finalist Olivia Smith Ronald E. McNair Scholars University of Missouri Jeremy Bloss $1,500
Chapter Scholarship Name Student's Name TRIO Program Institution Nominators Name
OH EOA Board of Directors Finalist Kayla Black Upward Bound University Of Cincinnati Eric Stirling $1,000
OH EOA Foundation Board of Directors Finalist Roshna Adhikari Student Support Services Miami University Melanie Fields $1,500
Chapter Scholarship Name Student's Name TRIO Program Institution Nominators Name
WI EOA Board of Directors Finalist McKayla Pittman Upward Bound West Forward Service Corportation Sara Kahl $1,000
WI EOA Foundation Board of Directors Finalist Alysandra Corona Student Support Services University of Wisconsin-Superior Reggie Semanko $1,500
WI Veterans Finalist Ryan Avila Student Support Services UW-Superor Reggie Semanko $1,000
WI Purnell Finalist Emily Willming Student Support Services UW-River Falls $1,500
Total $42,000
Highlight Code Rotating Scholarship Semi-Finalist, compete in Round 2 Chapter Finalist
Scholarships Not Awarded due to No Nominations
All Chapters Hamilton/Mortenson Professonal Research Award No Nominations $1,500
All Chapters Hamilton/Mortenson Student Research Award No Nominations $1,500
Total $3,000

Each of these deserving students has exhibited a passion for learning and a commitment to overcoming obstacles in pursuit of their educational goals. We believe that they embody the values and mission of the various EOA Scholarships awarded, and we are proud to support them on their academic journey.

As a committee, we appreciate your contributions, grace, and most importantly investment in our scholars during the process. The work we do is powerful and your contributions to the scholarship process helped make this opportunity possible for these deserving students.

Please take a few minutes to provide anonymous feedback through the 2026 EOA Scholarships Feedback Form. We continually work to improve our scholarship process for next year and beyond. Thank you and congratulations again to our scholarship finalists!

If you have any questions, email us at Scholarships@eoa.org.


"Educational Opportunity Association (EOA)" is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
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