Emerging Scholars

The Emerging Scholars Award program exists to recognize outstanding students for their commitment to learning, demonstration of excellence in their discipline or program, creative approaches to assignments, and other qualities. Selection is based on perseverance, innovative thinking, and professionalism both in and outside the classroom — not primarily on academic status. Students are nominated by faculty.

Awards & Eligibility

Students will be awarded in each of the schools of instruction.
Each student will receive one $1,000 scholarship to be applied towards their tuition at CWI for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- If you are selected as an Emerging Scholar, please be aware accepting this award may affect your financial aid eligibility. Should you have any questions or need further clarification, contact Financial Aid at financialaid@cwi.edu.
Nominated students must plan to enroll in six (6) or more credits for the following academic year in both fall and spring semesters and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Submissions

During fall and spring semesters faculty identify and nominate students in their courses who exemplify these four main criteria:

Academic commitment
Innovation
Professional practice
Demonstration of exceptional promise

Nominations are reviewed and finalists selected by the Emerging Scholars Committee. Students will be awarded in each of the schools of instruction. Students receive their awards from the faculty who nominated them at a special awards ceremony in the spring, and apply the award to the following academic year including fall and spring semesters.

Submissions due by April 1, 2026.

Nominate A Student

2025-2026 Emerging Scholars

Bree Wuest
nominated by Nicole Marie Hodges
Brock Harris
nominated by Andy Jensen
Cassandra Conner
nominated by Jana McCurdy
Chelsey Zwygart
nominated by Lynne Roberts
Gabby Brennan
nominated by Joni Carlo
Holly Bale
nominated by Shawna Donahue
Jairo Rodriguez Diaz
nominated by Amy Vassar
Jasmine Villicana
nominated by Joni Carlo
Jessica Balfour
nominated by Joni Carlo
JJ Comstock
ominated by Kate Orduno
Kayla Smith
nominated by Joni Carlo
Leilah Rayo
nominated by Joni Carlo
Macy Huberty
nominated by Hollie Leavitt
Melanie Rush
nominated by Christina Fridrick
Michael W Burgess
nominated by Tiffany Hitesman
Mirai Flatten
nominated by Chelse Rae Bulthuis
Morgyn Baughman
nominated by Allison Molitor
Nahum Dass
nominated by Kate Orduno
Rhiannon Brashier
nominated by Andy Jensen
Ricky Jackson
nominated by Michal Yadlin
Samantha C. De Leon
nominated by Melissa Keegan
Shahpoor Motawakil
nominated by Hollie Leavitt
Sydney K Blankenship
nominated by Jana McCurdy
Tash Lopez
nominated by Allison Molitor

Emerging Scholars News

Student Success

A smiling student stands for a portrait.

My Dream, My Degree: Cassandra Conner Conquers Doubt and Graduates

In her own words, College of Western Idaho graduate Cassandra Conner shares how she overcame years of doubt to return to college and find both success, support, and self-worth at CWI.

Student Success

From Teaching to Healing

Thanks to instructors and resources at CWI, Occupational Therapy Assistant student, Kaila Boeck, is on her way to pursuing her passion of helping others.

Announcements

Students around a computer desk | Emerging Scholars Nominations

Nominate a 2024 Emerging Scholar

Students selected as 2024 Emerging Scholars will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to be applied toward their tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Student Success

Collage of photos of the 2023 Emerging Scholars

2023-2024 Emerging Scholars

Congratulations to this elite group of students recognized for their commitment to learning, perseverance, innovative thinking, leadership, and professionalism.

Student Success