Park University Announces Competitive Academic Scholarship Winners for 2026

Feb. 2, 2026 — Park University has announced the recipients of competitive academic scholarships for the start of the 2026-27 academic year. These scholarships, which totals more than $1.88 million, have been awarded to current high school seniors who are expected to enroll at Park starting with the Fall 2026 semester.

The most prestigious Park University academic scholarship given is the Presidential Honors Scholarship. This award, traditionally given to two incoming freshmen, covers full tuition, fees, and room and board for four years, as well as a $5,000 stipend for a study abroad experience. The award is valued at more than $117,000. The 2026 Presidential Honors Scholarship has been presented to:
          •  Tessa Stoner (left), Kansas City, Kan. (attend Turner High School)
          •  Danyale Zheng (right), North Platte, Neb. (attends St. Patrick High School)

The McAfee Scholarship, also awarded to incoming freshmen, provides full tuition and fees for four years. The award is valued at $72,000. The McAfee Scholarship has been awarded to the following 14 students:
          •  Pahola Espana, Kansas City, Mo. (attends Park Hill High School)
          •  Valerie Garzona, Independence, Mo. (attends Van Horn High School)
          •  Madeline Hodgson, Lee’s Summit, Mo. (attends Raymore-Peculiar High School, Peculiar, Mo.)
          •  Ana Guillen Oliva, Kansas City, Kan. (attends Wyandotte High School)
          •  Audrey Ortiz, Kansas City, Mo. (attends St. Pius X High School)
          •  Dimitri Pettit, North Platte, Neb. (attends St. Patrick High School)
          •  Caroline Rieger, Kansas City, Mo. (attends Park Hill South High School, Riverside, Mo.)
          •  Victoria Rivas, Kansas City, Kan. (attends J.C. Harmon High School)
          •  Eli Robinson, Houston, Texas (attends Stratford High School)
          •  Sophia Teel, Kansas City, Kan. (attends Turner High School)
          •  Ezra VanRiette, Kansas City, Mo. (attends Center High School)
          •  Alyssa Voss, Kansas City, Mo. (attends St. Pius X High School)
          •  Isabel Walker, Olathe, Kan. (attends Olathe North High School)
          •  Marion Woolery, Smithville, Mo. (attends Smithville High School)

The Park Trustee Scholarship provides incoming freshmen with one-half of a year tuition (or one semester) for four years, and is valued at $34,000. This scholarship was awarded to the following 19 students:
          •  Alessandra Carrillo, Kansas City, Mo. (attends Park Hill High School)
          •  Breanna Cobb, Kearney, Mo. (attends Kearney High School)
          •  Brandon Giron, Kansas City, Kan. (attends Wyandotte High School)
          •  Hoereen Hanif, Kansas City, Mo. (attends Park Hill High School)
          •  Heaven Hawkins, Lansing, Kan. (attends Lansing High School)
          •  Ava Herr, Kansas City, Kan. (attends Sumner Academy of Arts and Science)
          •  Riley Hodson, Grain Valley, Mo. (attends Grain Valley High School)
          •  Kyere Huston, Liberty, Mo. (attends Liberty High School)
          •  Yazmin Medina, Kansas City, Kan. (attends Wyandotte High School)
          •  Samantha Milano, Kansas City, Mo. (attends Liberty [Mo.] High School)
          •  Valentina Moddelmog, Liberty, Mo. (attends Liberty High School)
          •  Thaine Novovesky, Overland Park, Kan. (attends Shawnee Mission West High School)
          •  Aubrey Prickett, Tonganoxie, Kan. (attends Tonganoxie High School)
          •  Ethan Priest, Raymore, Mo. (attends Raymore-Peculiar High School, Peculiar, Mo.)
          •  Teamari Pruitt, Kansas City, Kan. (attends Washington High School)
          •  Kaitlynn Starliper, Lawson, Mo. (attends Lawson High School)
          •  Gavis Trusskey, Kansas City, Kan. (attends Piper High School)
          •  Emily Matute Vilchez, Kansas City, Kan. (attends Wyandotte High School)
          •  Irene Watts, Kansas City, Kan. (attends Washington High School)

“I am proud to welcome these exceptional students to the Park University family,” said Kathrine Swanson, Ed.D., Park University interim president. “Their achievements, character and potential distinguish them, and the University is prepared to support them through real-world learning experiences to drive meaningful impact in their professions and communities.”

For more information about these scholarships, visit park.edu/academics/honors-academy/scholarships.