
2018 Top Ten Scholar Award Honorees
Presented by the Boise State Alumni Association and Boise State Honors College, the Top Ten Scholar Award is one of the highest academic honors granted to a Boise State University undergraduate student. Each spring the recipients are recognized, along with their honored faculty, at the annual Top Ten Scholars Award Ceremony.
Top Ten Scholars are the best of the best and serve as inspirations for their fellow students. To qualify for consideration, the student must have a 3.8 or higher grade point average and be nominated by their respective deans. Each student is then rigorously reviewed based on academic breadth of coursework, research, creative works and publications, presentations at professional meetings or conferences, and community and campus service.
Degree: Bachelor of science in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry Micah’s second home on campus came when he was a junior in the fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi. The fraternity presented him with the opportunity for additional leadership roles, and a strong community of friends and mentors to guide him as he transitions to post-graduate life. Micah has also been involved in research with Dr. Matthew Ferguson on the expression of a genome, with an anticipated submission for publication in May 2018. He also serves on the Boise State University Conduct Board, studied abroad at Oxford University, volunteers at both the Friendship Clinic and Heart n’ Home Hospice, and spoke at the Boise State Capital Scholars Dinner. Micah is from Sandpoint, Idaho.2018 Honorees
MICAH BUCKMILLER
Future Plans: Become a practicing physician in his hometown of Sandpoint, Idaho.
Honored Faculty: Dr. Andrew Finstuen, Dean of the Boise State University Honors College and Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
ANDRES CORREA HERNANDEZ
Degree: Bachelor of science in materials science and engineering with minors in physics, mathematics and applied mathematics
Future Plans: Obtain a doctorate of philosophy in electrical engineering at Princeton University, applying and developing theoretical and computational techniques in the area of nanophotonics.
Honored Faculty: Dr. Lan Li, Assistant Professor, Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering
Boise State’s TRIO Upward Bound program helped Andres get into college, which led him to the TRIO Rising Scholars (TRS) program. He was a TRS peer mentor for low-income, first-generation college students, like himself, which allowed him to assist their transition to college. Through TRIO, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Pacification, Andres has advocated for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students pursuing STEM degrees, particularly in engineering.
A recipient of numerous prestigious scholarships at Boise State, he has also received the NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in 2015 and 2016, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Summer Institute Research Fellowship in 2017 and a 2018 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Fellowship. He is part of the Finish in Four program and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.
Andres is from Nampa, Idaho.
SIENNA GEORGE
Degree: Bachelor of arts in communication with an emphasis in digital media and journalism and a minor in sociology
Future Plans: Become a Title IX lawyer to advocate for underrepresented and unheard voices.
Honored Faculty: Dr. Kelly Myers, Assistant Professor, Department of English and Project Director, Boise State Beyond the Major Initiative
Sienna was elected student body president in spring 2017 on her ability to create institutional change and her platform, “Students are our greatest asset.” As president, Sienna raised more than $25,000 to create the first-ever, on-campus food pantry and food cupboard network, prioritizing nutrition to combat food insecurity. With her team and The Inclusive Excellence Student Council, Sienna helped to pass constitutional amendments to create the inaugural vice president of inclusive excellence position in order to advocate on behalf of marginalized students in policy-making. Sienna also led the creation of an advisory council of statewide student body presidents to advise and advocate for the student voice at the Idaho State Board of Education.
Sienna is from Boise, Idaho.
ANNA HOLDIMAN MCDONALD
Degree: Bachelor of science in psychological science with a certificate in elementary Spanish
Future Plans: Attend graduate school and become a bilingual speech pathologist.
Honored Faculty: Patrick McCurry, Assistant Track & Field and Cross Country Coach
Outside of research, Anna has been a teaching assistant for Dr. Kimberly Henderson. She has volunteered more than 220 hours for local nonprofit agencies that work with newly-settled refugees and English-language learners. These experiences deepened her desire to attend graduate school in speech-language pathology.
One of her most rewarding experiences has been her time as a student-athlete on Boise State University’s Cross Country and Track teams. She has earned Academic All-Mountain West honors each semester she participated. Additionally, she earned United States Track and Field Cross Country Association All-Academic honors in spring of 2017. Anna has competed on all three of Boise State’s national qualifying cross-country teams, and participated in the 2017 Outdoor Track and Field West Regionals in the steeplechase.
Anna is from Waverly, Iowa.
KARYN LEVIN
Degree: Bachelor of science in psychology and bachelor of science in criminal justice
Future Plans: Pursue a master of social work at Boise State and later advocate for victims’ rights in a clinical and legislative capacity.
Honored Faculty: Dr. R. Eric Landrum, Professor, Department of Psychological Science
Karyn has been greatly influenced by her service and her time spent abroad, namely with GIVE Volunteers where she spent a summer building water tanks in rural Thai and Laotian villages. She is a weekly volunteer at both Faces of Hope Victim Center and the Boise Rescue Mission. Karyn spent a spring break as a volunteer in Zion National Park with the Boise State Alternative Spring Break program.
Karyn was recently named Boise State’s 2017 Sorority Woman of the Year and held a position on the Panhellenic Executive Council. She was awarded second place at the President’s Writing Awards and has received several scholarships, including the Thelma Brown Honors College scholarship. Karyn was recently offered membership into Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s most selective honor society.
Karyn will be pursuing her master of social work degree starting this fall at Boise State and will be completing her first-year field placement with Planned Parenthood.
Karyn is from Portland, Oregon.
MACKENZIE MOSS
Degree: Bachelor of arts in social work and a minor in Spanish
Future Plans: To attend a post-baccalaureate institution to participate in earning a master of social work with a clinical concentration and a law degree.
Honored Faculty: Dr. Manda Hicks, Associate Professor, Director of Forensics, Department of Communication
As a member of the Boise State Talkin’ Broncos Speech and Debate Team, she has helped the program claim two of four consecutive national championship titles and has obtained three individual national titles of her own. These awards include public forum debate titles and an extemporaneous speaking title. She placed first out of hundreds of student speakers from more than 80 schools.
Mackenzie has held several leadership positions during her time at Boise State, including the president and vice president of the Speech and Debate Team. Off campus, she was nominated by Idaho Senator Jim Risch to represent Idaho at the Henry Clay Collegiate Student Congress where she engaged in conversations of policy and humanitarianism. She was celebrated at the congress with an award for leading compromise in political conversations.
Mackenzie’s background as a member of the Talkin’ Broncos extends beyond the university through her service work. She works as a student interpreter with Project Laura, an immigration clinic focused on serving undocumented minors. She also developed the Prison Debate Initiative, which provides educational experiences and life skills to incarcerated individuals. Additionally, she serves as an intern for the Hunger Relief Task Force.
Mackenzie is from Boise, Idaho.
MAKENZIE PEAKE
Degree: Bachelor of arts in quantitative economics and a minor in applied mathematics
Future Plans: Work as a research associate at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and later enter a Ph.D. program in economics.
Honored Faculty: Dr. Christine Loucks, Department Chair and Professor, Department of Economics
Outside of Boise State, MaKenzie serves the Boise community as a youth leader at Foothills Christian Church, as a volunteer in bilingual classrooms at Whittier Elementary School and assisting local refugees with transportation needs. This past July, MaKenzie began employment as a research associate at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. This marks another step toward her goal of becoming a professional economist.
Throughout her academic career, MaKenzie has sought out research opportunities. She has been employed as a research assistant by three professors in the department of economics investigating the effects of student performance in online versus face-to-face classes. She also served as a research assistant for a project investigating the economic feasibility of building a nursing home in Council, Idaho.
Another valuable research experience came from MaKenzie’s internship with ECONorthwest, the largest consulting company in the northwest. She utilized her educational background in applied microeconomics, public policy and law, and economics to research and report on company projects.
MaKenzie is from Boise, Idaho.
TIMOTHY LE PHERO
Degree: Bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and a minor in biomedical engineering
Future Plans: Pursue a master of science in materials science and engineering.
Honored Faculty: Dr. Krishna Pakala, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering
Timothy has also utilized engineering to help improve the quality of life of individuals with physical disabilities. He has designed and fabricated an assistive chairlift for a patient with muscular dystrophy and an arm orthosis for a patient with a joint disorder through his work with the Integrated Engineering Solutions Club and his senior design capstone project.
Beyond his community service, Timothy has had opportunities to experience research in various departments on campus. In his second year, he began his research career at the Boise Center Aerospace Laboratory in the Department of Geosciences. The following year, he worked at the High Performance Simulation Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering.
He is currently working at the Advance Materials Laboratory in the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering where he is using finite element analysis to enable the development of a high-temperature heat exchanger, which will allow for higher efficiency power generation systems. His research will help with global efforts for increasing sustainability in energy production and consumption; an interest that was cultivated when he studied abroad in Iceland in the summer of 2017.
Timothy is from Boise, Idaho.
JAKE ROBERTSON
Degree: Bachelor of science in biology with a human emphasis and a bachelor of science in premedical studies with an emphasis in biology
Future Plans: Attend a top medical school in the fall to become a physician.
Honored Faculty: Julia Thom Oxford, Distinguished Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Director, Biomolecular Research Center
During his time at Boise State, Jake has worked with Boise’s refugee population, tutoring junior high refugees, helping older refugees with job applications, and collaborating with campus organizations to share volunteer opportunities with students. Additionally, he is a contributor and launch-team member for an upcoming book detailing the bipartisan movement in communities across the country to aid refugees.
After completing an Urban Apiary internship, Jake helped found the Boise State Bee Team. In 2015, he became the vice president of community service for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, where he coordinated volunteer projects for hundreds of students.
As a founding member of the Plasma Medicine Vertically Integrated Project in the College of Innovation and Design, Jake collaborated with a diverse group of scientists to determine novel applications of a unique medical device. Recently, Jake led his own project to compile all known and properly documented germline-mutations of DICER1 Syndrome, a rare cancer-predisposition disorder affecting a close family member.
In his free time, he is, an award-winning pianist and guitarist, playing with local churches and campus bands, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Jake is from Fort Worth, Texas.
JESSICA ROHM
Degree: Bachelor of business administration with an emphasis in international business and a bachelor of arts in Spanish
Future Plans: Work in international market development utilizing her second language, Spanish, as well as focus on continuing education.
Honored Faculty: Dr. John Bieter, Professor, Department of History
Since returning from Costa Rica, Jessica has been working in the Center for Global Education where she is able to share her passion for studying abroad. During her last semester at Boise State, she was a Spanish conversation lab assistant in the World Language Resource Center facilitating language labs for lower-division Spanish students. Jessica also focused on applying her coursework to real-life situations during her internship in San Sebastian, Spain in the economics and marketing departments of the city’s Department of Culture.
The Boise State University Honors College colloquium reinforced her value of obtaining a diversified education. Jessica’s dedication to her coursework reflects in the honors she has received, including a College of Business and Economics Signature Student, a College of Arts and Sciences Peer Ambassador and a Dean’s List honoree for multiple semesters with highest honors.
Jessica has been involved on campus as the membership vice president for Alpha Xi Delta in 2017, attended the Alpha Xi Delta National Convention in Boston in 2015 and attended a recruitment training workshop in College Park, Maryland while at Boise State.
Jessica is from Phoenix, Arizona.