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Merit Scholars

The University of Houston-Downtown is devoted to nurturing exceptional academic talent, and the Freshman Merit Scholars Program encapsulates the institution’s commitment. This esteemed academic scholarship program is exclusively awarded to first time in college incoming freshman students, reflecting the University’s dedication to recruiting and fostering academic excellence. To be eligible for this transformative academic program, scholars possess a GPA of 3.5 or higher, or hold a class rank within the top 16%-25%, accompanied by an SAT score of 1080 or an ACT score of 21 or higher.
 
Scholars are awarded a four-year full-ride scholarship covering the cost of tuition and fees. In addition, scholars receive a $2,000 stipend annually. This unparalleled scholarship program not only extends financial support but also lays the foundation for an enriched college experience. Scholars participate in a four-year intrusive academic, social, and student development program accompanying their academic experience.
 
The exceptional scholars featured below represent the Fall 2023 Freshmen Merit Scholars cohort, each scholar earned their place within the program via a highly competitive selection process. Highlighted by their headshots, graduating high schools, and college majors, these scholars embody the diverse and promising talents that define the University of Houston-Downtown.

Jacqueline Alvarado​​​​​​​
Jacqueline Alvarado
Harmony School of Ingenuity
College of Sciences and Technology
Nursing, BS
Ana Barrera​​​​​​
Ana Barrera
Spring Woods Senior High School
Marilyn Davies College of Business
Management, BBA
Draque Barrera Dang​​​​​​
Draque Barrera Dang
William B. Travis High School
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Psychology, BS

Katya Butron-Rangel​​​​​​
Katya Butron-Rangel​​
Jersey Village High School
Marilyn Davies College of Business
Marketing, BBA
Takaylah Campbell​​​​​​​
Takaylah Campbell
Chavez High School
Marilyn Davies College of Business
Accounting, BBA
Aileen Civallero​​​​​​
Aileen Civallero
Alief Early College High School
Marilyn Davies College of Business
Finance, BBA

Cesar Cutz​​​​​​
Cesar Cutz​​
YES Prep Gulfton
College of Sciences and Technology
Computer Science, BS
Kiaira Falls​​​​​​
Kiaira Falls
Ben Franklin Terry High School
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Psychology, BS
Hannia Fuentes​​​​​​
Hannia Fuentes​​
Northbrook Senior High School
College of Sciences and Technology
Biology, BA

Brandon Gamez​​​​​​​
Brandon Gamez
North Houston Early College H. S.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Communication Studies, BA
Maria Gonzalez​​​​​​​
Maria Gonzalez
Raul Yzaguirre School for Success
Marilyn Davies College of Business
General Business, BBA
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Valeria Gonzalez​​​​​​
Valeria Gonzalez​​
Harmony School of Discovery
College of Public Service
Criminal Justice, BS

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Adam Gullion​​​​​​
Adam Gullion​​
Pasadena Memorial High School
College of Sciences and Technology
Applied Statistics, BS
Amanda Hillary​​​​​​
Amanda Hillary
North Forest High School
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
English, BA
Melanie Leon​​​​​​​
Melanie Leon
East Early College High School
College of Public Service
Criminal Justice, BS

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Place holder for Genesis Lopez​​​​​​​
Genesis Lopez
Thurgood Marshall High School
Marilyn Davies College of Business
General Business, BBA
Victoria Lopez​​​​​​​
Victoria Lopez
Stephen F. Austin High School
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Social Sciences, BS
Michelle Magana​​​​​​
Michelle Magana​
YES Prep Fifth Ward
Marilyn Davies College of Business
General Business, BBA
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Rehan Mathews​​​​​​
Rehan Mathews​​​​
Hightower High School
College of Sciences and Technology
Computer Science, BS
Fabiola Moreno Cairo​​​​​​
Fabiola Moreno Cairo​​
Westside High School
College of Sciences and Technology
Nursing, BS
Jasmine Oaks​​​​​​​​
Jasmine Oaks​​
Patricia E. Paetow High School
College of Sciences and Technology
Biology, BS
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Opemipo Odejimi​​​​​​​
Opemipo Odejimi​
Patricia E. Paetow High School
College of Sciences and Technology
Biology, BS
Kimberly Peralta​​​​​​
Kimberly Peralta​​
YES Prep Southeast
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Political Science, BS
Jon Rodriguez​​​​​​
Jon Rodriguez​
Saint Pius X High School
College of Sciences and Technology
Structural Analysis/Design, BSET

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Leslie Rodriguez​​​​​​​
Leslie Rodriguez​​
Westbury Senior High School
College of Sciences and Technology
Biology, BS
 
Tanya Salazar​​​​​​
Tanya Salazar​​
East Early College High School
College of Public Service
Criminal Justice, BS
Daniela Sandoval Yosikawa​​​​​​
Daniela Sandoval Yosikawa​​
Cypress Lakes High School
College of Sciences and Technology
Mathematics, BA

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Edson Villatoro​​​​​​​​​
Edson Villatoro​​​​​
Langham Creek High School
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Technical Communication, BS
Makaiyah Walden​​​​​​
Makaiyah Walden
Mirabeau B. Lamar Sr. High School
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Communication Studies, BA
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