Walls First Cougar Named Knight-Hennessy Scholar

Jaelynn Walls is the first UH student to be named a Knight-Hennessy Scholar, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious fellowships in the nation. Walls will receive up to three years of tuition to study at Stanford University and is eligible for discretionary funding for fieldwork and academic development.

She completed her bachelor’s degree in art history at UH in spring 2021. Now, Walls is pursuing a doctorate in art history at Stanford with a focus on contemporary works of the African diaspora. She aspires to increase accessibility to art and art education for marginalized communities through alternative and digital spaces.

Through the generosity of Stanford alumnus Phil Knight – philanthropist, businessman and co-founder of Nike Inc. – and numerous benefactors, the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship program offers a transformative experience comprised of opportunities for leadership development, mentorship and immersive interdisciplinary experiential learning.

When she's not independently curating art exhibitions across Texas, Walls hosts “Art in Color,” a YouTube video series focused on increasing knowledge and resources related to the works and lives of contemporary artists of color.