Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – Recent Arkansas State University alumnus Rocco Hicks, a May 2026 graduate, was selected for the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship, awarded by the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.
Hicks was one of 48 of the nation’s top scholars at higher education institutions with an active chapter of Phi Kappa Phi to be awarded an $8,500 fellowship. The fellowship is awarded annually and supports students as they pursue graduate or professional education.
“I was overjoyed when Mrs. Jennifer Salo reached out to me to let me know I was selected. I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders as this opportunity has made my path towards higher education just that much more affordable,” said Hicks.
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The A-State Phi Kappa Phi chapter nominated him. Hicks graduated with degrees in political science and communication studies from the College of Liberal Arts and Communication. He is from Prattsville, AR.
During his time at A-State, he was a Distinguished Service Award recipient and a Wilson Award finalist, a member of the Chancellor’s List all eight semesters, a 2025 national finalist for the Truman Scholarship, and a university nominee for the Rhodes Scholarship.
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Hicks also attended the Harvard University Public Policy and Leadership Conference and received numerous scholarships and academic achievements.
He served as debate recruitment chair and team captain and as a communications coach in the A-State Communication Center. He was selected as a model senator at the Academy for Public Service and attended the Arkansas Student Congress.
An alumnus of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class, Hicks studied abroad in London and in Northern Ireland as a Fulbright UK Summer Institute scholarship recipient. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where he served in several leadership roles, including president.
Hicks credits those on campus for helping him get to this point.
“Multiple A-State organizations and faculty assisted in developing my ability and drive to pursue this scholarship. I wouldn’t have had the drive or confidence to believe I could achieve a scholarship like this without their support. From their classes to their mentorship, I cannot thank them enough,” he said.
Since graduating from A-State in May, Hicks has been preparing for his next step as he continues his higher education journey.
“I will attend the University of Arkansas School of Law, where I begin my first year of classes this month. This fellowship has helped me by minimizing the expected loan requirements so I can afford such an education. With this fellowship, along with others, I am able to say my first year of law school has been almost completely covered thanks to the continuous help from the Competitive Scholarship Program,” Hicks said.
He encourages students to take advantage of opportunities they may not know exist.
“I implore any student, regardless of their major or plans after college, to reach out to Mrs. Salo and see what fellowship opportunities they might be interested in,” Hicks said. “Because of her, I have been able to afford law school, and attend the Harvard Public Policy and Leadership Conference for free. College will broaden anyone’s horizons if they allow it to, but for those students wanting to take that extra step, this is the perfect way to do so.”
For more information about applying for nationally competitive awards and opportunities, students may contact Jennifer Salo, coordinator of competitive scholarships and fellowships, at jsalo@AState.edu.
For more information about the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, one may contact A-State’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter president, Dr. Ed Salo, at esalo@AState.edu.
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