JONESBORO – Recent Arkansas State University (A-State) graduate Rocco Hicks has been awarded the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship, a nationally recognized honor that comes with an $8,500 award. The fellowship, given annually by the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, supports students pursuing graduate or professional education.
Hicks, a native of Prattsville and a May 2026 graduate, was one of just 48 students from higher education institutions with active Phi Kappa Phi chapters to receive the fellowship this year. Hicks, who earned degrees in political science and communication studies from A-State’s College of Liberal Arts and Communication, credited faculty and campus organizations for helping him achieve this milestone.
“Multiple A-State organizations and faculty assisted in developing my ability and drive to pursue this scholarship,” Hicks said. “I wouldn’t have had the confidence to believe I could achieve something like this without their support.”
Hicks leaves behind a legacy of academic success and leadership at A-State. He made the Chancellor’s List for all eight semesters, was a 2025 national finalist for the Truman Scholarship, and was nominated by the university for the Rhodes Scholarship. Among other accomplishments, he served as team captain and recruitment chair for the A-State debate team, coached peers at the Communication Center, and held leadership roles in Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, including president.
Hicks also gained national and international experience during his time at A-State. He studied abroad in London and Northern Ireland as a recipient of the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Scholarship and attended the Harvard University Public Policy and Leadership Conference.
This fall, Hicks will begin classes at the University of Arkansas School of Law. He expressed gratitude for the fellowship’s financial support, which he said has significantly reduced his reliance on loans to afford law school. “With this fellowship, along with others, I am able to say my first year of law school has been almost completely covered,” he said, emphasizing the impact of A-State’s Competitive Scholarship Program on his academic journey.
Hicks encouraged current A-State students to explore similar opportunities. “I implore any student, regardless of their major or plans after college, to reach out to Mrs. Jennifer Salo and see what fellowship opportunities they might be interested in,” he said. “College will broaden anyone’s horizons if they allow it to.”
Jennifer Salo, the university’s coordinator of competitive scholarships and fellowships, can be reached at jsalo@AState.edu for more information on nationally competitive awards. For details about Phi Kappa Phi, students may contact the chapter president, Dr. Ed Salo, at esalo@AState.edu.