Five students holding checks for SIU Provost Scholarships

Five John A. Logan College students who received a Southern Illinois University Carbondale Provost Scholarship on April 21 are, from left, Nurfarhana Mohamad Ali and Wade Swan, both of Carbondale; Levi Tanner of Creal Springs, Kamaura Miller of Marion, and Ethan Sargent of Du Quoin. (Photo provided)

April 22, 2026

SIU Carbondale awards 2026 Provost’s Scholarships to 25 community college students

by Pete Rosenbery

(Editors: Please note hometowns. A previous version of this news release contained incomplete information.)

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Twenty-five high-achieving community college students from Illinois, Florida and Texas have received Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s 2026 Provost’s Scholarships, which cover tuition and mandatory fees for two years.

SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin A. Lane and other university officials paid surprise visits this week to present SIU’s most prestigious transfer student award and congratulate students at 20 community colleges.

“Southern is proud to recognize our 2026 Provost’s Scholars and to welcome these outstanding transfer students to the Saluki family,” Lane said. “Their academic achievement, determination, and commitment to their goals reflect the strength of our community college partnerships.”

“We are dedicated to expanding access and supporting student success at every stage of the journey,” Lane said. “As a Carnegie-classified Research 1, Opportunity institution, we provide meaningful opportunities that prepare students to excel in their careers and make a lasting impact in their communities. We look forward to what our scholars will accomplish at Southern and beyond.”

There were 115 community college students who competed in the selection process. Recipients demonstrate high academic achievement, have a strong record of leadership in their communities and participate in numerous extracurricular activities. The award is renewable, contingent upon the students maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA.

The students, by hometowns, are:

ILLINOIS

  • Arlington Heights: Ai Qun Hoffman, Harper College, mechanical engineering.
  • Benton: Henry Meinert, Rend Lake College, agribusiness economics.
  • Bolingbrook: Alexander Macha, Joliet Junior College, automotive technology.
  • Carbondale: Nurfarhana Mohamad Ali, John A. Logan College, journalism.
  • Carbondale: Wade Swan, John A. Logan College, aviation management.
  • Carrier Mills: Hannah Wenzel, Southeastern Illinois College, elementary education.
  • Chicago: Demetrious Jackson, City Colleges of Chicago, cybersecurity technology.
  • Creal Springs: Levi Tanner, John A. Logan College, agribusiness economics.
  • Cypress: Ethan Hartline, Shawnee Community College, political science.
  • Dieterich: Ruby Westendorf, Kaskaskia College, radiologic sciences.
  • Dunlap: Alexandria Morgan, Illinois Central College, mortuary science and funeral service.
  • Du Quoin: Ethan Sargent, John A. Logan College, mathematics.
  • Herscher: Sophia Brozis, Lake Land College, radio, television, and digital media.
  • Lake in the Hills: Hailey Gorzelanczyk, McHenry County College, social work.
  • Mahomet: Coehn Steenbergen, Parkland College, mechanical engineering.
  • Marion: Kamaura Miller, John A. Logan College, criminology and criminal justice.
  • Mascoutah: Lilianna Barnes, Southwestern Illinois College, cybersecurity technology.
  • Olney: Piper Knox, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, radiologic sciences.
  • Oswego: Justin Winters, Waubonsee Community College, automotive technology.
  • Sesser: Hannah Utlaut, Rend Lake College, biological sciences.
  • Staunton: Michael Matesa, Lincoln Land Community College, agribusiness economics.
  • Western Springs: Olivia Sikes, College of Du Page, linguistics.
  • Zion: Jacqueline Johnson, College of Lake County, criminology and criminal justice.

FLORIDA

  • Cocoa: Kian Zayas Rivera, Valencia College, anthropology.

TEXAS

  • Irving: Tanim Azad, Dallas College System, information technology.

SIU Carbondale offers various scholarships to transfer students. For more information on the university’s scholarships and financial aid, contact Amber Rivers, associate director of scholarships in the Financial Aid Office, at scholarships@siu.edu or 618-453-4628.