Presented by the Boise State Alumni Association, the Top Ten Scholar Award is one of the highest academic honors granted to a graduating senior. Recipients and their honored faculty are recognized each spring at the annual Top Ten Scholars Award Ceremony.
Online registration for the 2026 event is now closed. If you have any questions or would like to attend, please contact us at bsualumni@boisestate.edu.
What Makes a Top Ten Scholar?
To be considered for a Top Ten Scholar Award, students must hold a minimum 3.8 grade point average and receive a nomination from their college dean.
From there, nominees undergo a rigorous review process that evaluates the depth and breadth of their academic coursework, research, creative work and publications, professional presentations and service to the campus and broader community.
2026 Honorees
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Leah Engle
School of Public Service
Degree: Bachelor of Arts Global Studies, International Governance and Development Emphasis with a Minor in Refugee Studies, Certificate in Intermediate German and Certificate in +Business
Honored Faculty: Nico Diaz, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Global Studies, School of Public Service and Student Initiatives Coordinator, Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Institute
Hometown: Phoenix, ArizonaDegree: Bachelor of Arts Global Studies, International Governance and Development Emphasis with a Minor in Refugee Studies, Certificate in Intermediate German and Certificate in +Business
Honored Faculty: Nico Diaz, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Global Studies, School of Public Service and Student Initiatives Coordinator, Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Institute
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Emily Grabow
School of Public Service
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Political Science, American Government and Public Policy Emphasis with a Minor in Legal Studies
Honored Faculty: Emily Jones, Director, Honors College, and Honors Student Association Advisor
Hometown: Lewiston, IdahoDegree: Bachelor of Science in Political Science, American Government and Public Policy Emphasis with a Minor in Legal Studies
Honored Faculty: Emily Jones, Director, Honors College, and Honors Student Association Advisor
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Allison Hampton
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with discipline areas in English Literature, Environmental Studies, Communication and Creative Writing
Honored Faculty: Dr. Manda V. Hicks, Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, and Director of Forensics, Department of Communication
Hometown: Meridian, IdahoDegree: Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with discipline areas in English Literature, Environmental Studies, Communication and Creative Writing
Honored Faculty: Dr. Manda V. Hicks, Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, and Director of Forensics, Department of Communication
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Addison Hobson
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Physics, Astrophysics Emphasis with a Minor in Applied Mathematics and Minor in Geophysics
Honored Faculty: Dr. Charles Hanna, Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, and Department Chair, Department of Physics
Hometown: Pocatello, IdahoDegree: Bachelor of Science in Physics, Astrophysics Emphasis with a Minor in Applied Mathematics and Minor in Geophysics
Honored Faculty: Dr. Charles Hanna, Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, and Department Chair, Department of Physics
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Sydney Leitch
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Emphasis with a Minor in Chemistry, Minor in Psychology, Certificate in Elementary Spanish and Certificate in +Business
Honored Faculty: Dr. Jeremiah Shinn, Interim President and Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Hometown: Irvine, CaliforniaDegree: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Emphasis with a Minor in Chemistry, Minor in Psychology, Certificate in Elementary Spanish and Certificate in +Business
Honored Faculty: Dr. Jeremiah Shinn, Interim President and Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
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Ethan Mariner
College of Business and Economics
Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy
Honored Faculty: Dr. Kyle Allen, Associate Professor of Finance, College of Business and Economics
Hometown: Alpharetta, GeorgiaDegree: Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy
Honored Faculty: Dr. Kyle Allen, Associate Professor of Finance, College of Business and Economics
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Maci Ann Mattravers
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Ethnic Studies with a Minor in Refugee Studies
Honored Faculty: Dr. Soulit Chacko, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology
Hometown: Nampa, IdahoDegree: Bachelor of Science in Ethnic Studies with a Minor in Refugee Studies
Honored Faculty: Dr. Soulit Chacko, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology
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Hannya Adali Ornelas
College of Health Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Honored Faculty: Dr. Katherine Doyon, M.Ed, RN, CHPN, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences
Hometown: Boise, IdahoDegree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Honored Faculty: Dr. Katherine Doyon, M.Ed, RN, CHPN, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences
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Megan Rubio
College of Health Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with a Minor in Family Studies
Honored Faculty: Diane Hakes, LCSW, Adjunct Faculty, School of Social Work
Hometown: McCall, IdahoDegree: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with a Minor in Family Studies
Honored Faculty: Diane Hakes, LCSW, Adjunct Faculty, School of Social Work
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Ali Russell
College of Engineering and College of Business and Economics
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Business Administration with a Minor in Entrepreneurial Management and Certificate in Intermediate Spanish
Honored Faculty: Sydney Fuhrman, Senior Director of Student and Recent Graduate Programs, Boise State University Foundation
Hometown: Meridian, IdahoDegree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Business Administration with a Minor in Entrepreneurial Management and Certificate in Intermediate Spanish
Honored Faculty: Sydney Fuhrman, Senior Director of Student and Recent Graduate Programs, Boise State University Foundation
Support Student Excellence
The Boise State Alumni Association connects, celebrates and engages alumni and friends to build lifelong relationships that strengthen the future of Boise State. One of the most meaningful ways we support students is through scholarships funded by alumni and friends like you.
Join us in empowering the next generation of Broncos — become a scholarship donor today.