This May, the Jindal Young Scholars Program hosted a Signing Day celebration for the fifth cohort of Jindal Young Scholars, which consists of 11 students – the largest cohort to date. A partnership between the Naveen Jindal School of Management and the Dallas Independent School District, the Young Scholars program is designed to support the academic, social and emotional development of Dallas ISD students and increase their chances of postsecondary readiness for collegiate and career success. To qualify for the scholarship, students must participate in the Young Scholars program throughout high school and maintain a high GPA.

The fifth cohort of Young Scholars is record-breaking in many ways; not only is it the largest cohort thus far, but it also includes the first scholarship recipient from Roosevelt High School, representing all five participating DISD schools for the first time. Out of the 11 scholarship recipients, eight are first-generation college students.

The fifth cohort also includes some familiar faces. Chris Adkins, a junior in the Information Technology and Systems Area and member of the second JYSP cohort, welcomed his brother Ross Adkins to the fifth cohort. This is the program’s first set of siblings. “We are just over the moon … to have both of our sons now in the Jindal [School] with full scholarships,” said Mrs. Adkins, Chris and Ross’s mother. “It is truly a blessing, and we know they will continue to make us all proud.” Chris adds, “It makes it even better to be in the program and to be able to participate in everything JYSP does together.”

The Jindal School also recognized the first Young Scholars graduates this spring. Of the four graduates, two entered the workforce and two returned to UTD this fall to pursue master’s degrees. “Graduating the first cohort of scholarship recipients is a milestone achievement for the Jindal Young Scholars Program,” said Program Director Billy Schewee. “It is a testament to the hard work and excellence exhibited by each individual graduating, and it serves as both a symbol of the progress the program has made thus far and as a precursor of what is yet to come.” Congratulations to Giovanny Lopez and Jason Manzala, BS of Finance, and Jacob Gonzalez and Ariana Morales, BS of Accounting.

We are just over the moon … to have both of our sons now in the Jindal [School] with full scholarships . . . It is truly a blessing, and we know they will continue to make us all proud. -Mrs. Adkins, Chris and Ross’s mother