Welcoming the 2024 incoming Stamps Scholars
The Virginia Tech Honors College welcomes eight Stamps Scholars of the incoming Class of 2028.
Stamps Scholars are chosen based on strong leadership potential, academic merit, and exceptional character. Since 2014, the Virginia Tech Honors College and the Stamps Scholars Program have partnered together to award Stamps Scholarships that help driven and talented student leaders to achieve their educational and life goals.
“This year’s cohort of incoming Stamps Scholars had impressive academic and extracurricular accomplishments and considered multiple top-ranking universities. We are honored that they chose to partner with Virginia Tech and the Honors College for their undergraduate education,” said Russell Shrader, Director of Admissions and Scholarships for the Honors College. “We look forward to their continued success and involvement with the university.”
Within Virginia Tech’s student body, Stamps Scholars have a distinguished and impressive track record of leadership. Scholars have served as CEO for the SEED student investing team, been Ring Dance chair, won national competitions in mathematics, been nominated for national fellowships, led students to promote cultural understanding and environmental advocacy, and more.
Roe and Penny Stamps created the Stamps Scholars program in 2006 for undergraduates at their respective alma maters, Georgia Tech and the University of Michigan. Since then, the Stamps Scholars community has grown into a nationwide network of colleges and universities, with more than 2,300 current and alumni scholars.
The Stamps Scholars program covers all expenses for four years of undergraduate study and includes an enrichment fund that scholars can use for their academic and professional development. Other benefits include participation in a national day of service, access to a growing network of scholars and alumni, and opportunities to attend biennial conventions, where scholars are able to network with one another and learn from recognized leaders.
“Virginia Tech Stamps Scholarship are part of a larger, nation-wide community of Stamps Scholars,” said Christina McIntyre, Director of Professional Development and National and International Scholarships for the Honors College. “The Stamps network is supportive, creative and inspirational.”
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Humza spent most of his childhood in the suburban Chicago town of Lombard, Illinois before his family relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Texas. Despite moves, Humza's interest in the built environment remained constant, eventually leading him to Virginia Tech's exceptional architecture program after being drawn in by the campus's seamless blend of academics and nature.
Humza views his intended architecture major as merely a platform to explore a diverse array of interdisciplinary passions - from sustainability and biophilic design to urban planning, video production, business, and beyond. He aims to integrate wide-ranging coursework with hands-on experiences through study abroad, internships and potential minors. Ultimately, Humza hopes to use architecture as a creative medium to cultivate his intellectual curiosities.
Beyond academics, Humza eagerly anticipates embracing the full Virginia Tech experience - finding his community through the Stamps Scholars program and Honors Residential College, joining clubs aligning with his varied interests, making new friends, and immersing himself in school traditions. As someone new to Blacksburg, he is particularly excited to explore the area's natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor adventure.
At his core, Humza is driven by an ethos of service, aligning with Virginia Tech's Ut Prosim principles. He is passionate about making a positive impact while constantly seeking out new avenues for personal growth. To Humza, being a Stamps Scholar epitomizes upholding the values of leadership, academic excellence, and enrichment. He is determined to seize every formative opportunity that propels this new chapter of his journey.
Ayati Aggarwal is from Ashburn, Virginia, and is a proud graduate of Briar Woods High School. Her academic journey now leads her to pursue a degree in Business Information Technology Honors with a Cyber Security Major at the Pamplin School of Business as she prepares for a career that blends her passion for technology with her commitment to sustainability and security.
Ayati's decision to become a Hokie was solidified during her visit to the campus, where she was enchanted by its beauty, warmly welcomed by faculty and staff, and inspired by the myriad of academic and professional opportunities available at VT.
With a keen interest in business strategy and emerging technologies, Ayati is eager to explore how businesses leverage technology to optimize processes, facilitate decision-making, and maintain a competitive advantage, all while contributing to the betterment of our planet.
Beyond academics, Ayati's lifelong passion for ice skating has culminated in her being selected for Team USA, where she has competed both nationally and internationally. The ice rink has been her second home since age 4. Embracing the UT Prosim ethos in her teens, Ayati founded "Care and Smiles," a charitable organization dedicated to uplifting the homeless community through tailored frontline activities which amassed over 700 hours of community service through several non-profitable organizations which earned her the prestigious Presidents Award in 2022 and 2023. Among this, she is also a skilled guitarist and active member of various honor societies, including the National Honor Society, Tri-Music Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. Ayati is deeply committed to pursuing her interests and looks forward to exploring new avenues at VT. Ayati is an avid dancer and Bollywood dancing is her favorite unwinding activity.
As a Stamps scholar, she eagerly anticipates collaborating with her peers in transformative experiences such as field activities, workshops, research projects, and study abroad programs, all aimed at fostering holistic persona, professional and academic growth. Grateful for the opportunity afforded by the Stamps program, Ayati looks forward to embracing its values and contributing to its legacy of excellence.
Reagan Boyd is from Topsfield, Massachusetts. The first thing that drew her to Virginia Tech was the motto “Ut Prosim.” Service and community are two things she holds the upmost importance of in her life, and she felt drawn to the Blacksburg and VT community which reflects these values. Additionally, the Nutrition program and inviting faculty solidified her love for the school.
Reagan plans to major in Nutrition and Dietetics and strives to become a Registered Dietitian so she can become an advocate for those marginalized in health care, and help individuals become the healthiest version of themselves. She also hopes to complete research and has specific interests in youth nutritional programs and female health. She aims to achieve an advanced degree in the field.
Reagan is passionate about actively immersing herself in the communities she is a part of. In the past this has including creating an educational series for young female athletes and leading as the chair of the annual Relay For Life event in her hometown. She is looking forward to joining the VT Relay For Life Committee and finding new ways to serve at Virginia Tech. Her personal interests include CrossFit, Running, Horseback Riding and being outdoors!
To Reagan, being a Stamps Scholar means being a part of something bigger than yourself, and embracing a community founded on learning and growth. She is excited to participate in the Stamps Conference and form connections with the other scholars.
William Collins is from Winchester, Virginia, and is honored to be a Stamps Scholar. He was interested in engineering and medicine, so he shadowed a cardiologist, completed a 4-month Mechanical Engineering internship with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District, and has a part-time job as a licensed pharmacy technician. At Virginia Tech’s nationally ranked engineering school and pre-med program, he can combine them by pursuing a Biomedical Engineering degree. He looks forward to the amazing research opportunities because he loves learning, solving problems, and helping others.
William will collaborate with other Stamps Scholars in the Grand Challenge Scholars Institute on Climate Justice to find realistic solutions to some of the greatest problems the world is facing. He is fascinated with neuroscience, cardiovascular medicine, and improving medical devices as well as increasing accessibility and equity of medical care.
As a military kid who lived in several states, Japan, and South Korea, William learned to respect different viewpoints, value diversity, and work effectively in teams. This also sparked his love of travel and fueled his interest in the Presidential Global Scholars program. He prioritizes community service and leadership as State Chair of American History in NSCAR, Senior Patrol Leader of his Scout troop, and a team captain for the TSA Technosphere State Competition. He also recently completed his Eagle Scout Project. William enjoys reading, games, and science fiction. He looks forward to discovering more ways to combine his love of medicine and engineering to help people.
Ethan McCarney is from Sterling, Virginia, and is planning to study financial technology and data analytics. Ethan was sure that Virginia Tech was the place for him after a captivating campus visit where he was deeply impressed by the warmth and inclusivity of the community. The top-notch academic programs offered by the Pamplin College of Business further cemented Ethan’s enthusiasm to become a Hokie.
An accomplished pianist since the age of six, Ethan pursued his musical passion through the Royal Conservatory of Music. He competed in piano competitions, earning second and third place finishes internationally. Ethan has also been a lifelong swimmer and was elected captain of his high school swim team. He also coached and mentored younger swimmers in his community team.
Ethan has a strong passion for community service, as he finds fulfillment in positively impacting the lives of others around him. He applied his passion for service to create a community program and partner with dozens of assisted living homes, shelters, and other organizations to bring live music to hundreds of underserved patrons. Ethan is honored to have been selected as a Stamps Scholar and looks forward to making a meaningful societal impact with other like-minded peers.
Kyle Morrison is from Northern Virginia. He decided to become a Hokie after attending a Virginia Tech open house, experiencing the beautiful campus firsthand, and learning about the VT Honors College.
During his high school senior year, Kyle enrolled in dual enrollment courses at his local community college. He earned his high school diploma and Associate’s degree at the same time and was awarded the Governor’s Medallion for his academic achievements. While at community college, Kyle took accounting courses with a VT alum professor and became interested in the accounting field. He is excited to study Accounting and Information Systems at VT’s Pamplin College of Business.
Outside the classroom, Kyle worked as a sailing instructor for the Washington Sailing School. He taught sailing techniques and water safety skills. Kyle looks forward to joining the Virginia Tech Sailing Club.
Giving back to the community is important to Kyle, and he has volunteered with his local Civil Air Patrol squadron for the past two years. This includes volunteering at the AirVenture Oshkosh air show in Oshkosh, WI for the past two summers, where he marshaled airplanes and conducted public affairs duties. Kyle is also nearing completion of his private pilots' license thanks to the Civil Air Patrol's community of volunteer flight instructors.
As a Stamps Scholar, Kyle looks forward to connecting with fellow Stamps Scholars at the Biennial Convention, where he will have the opportunity to participate in discussions about important global issues and to build lifelong relationships with other scholars and professionals.
Zachias Noble graduated from Franklin High School in Somerset, NJ. He plans to major in Computational Modeling and Data Analytics (CMDA) and pursue a data-centric career in the sports and entertainment field. Having overcome a communication disorder, Zachias now has a passion for speaking and enjoys traveling to different schools and other venues to speak publicly about his experiences and motivate others to overcome their challenges as well. As the academic league captain, Zachias loves studying trivia of all subjects but especially football, music, and film.
Virginia Tech first caught his attention upon seeing its delicious #2 ranked food and football team quality. His week at the Black College Institute solidified Virginia Tech as a top contender for his prospective education; the camaraderie and rapport that he built with his teammates while working on a social justice project was unforgettable. He is looking forward to working with the Center for Autism Research and possibly working with the Virginia Tech football team to devise new ways to evaluate and predict future success of players.
Zachias believes that being a Stamps Scholar will allow him to travel, experience diverse cultures, and research his genuine interests, leveraging cultural variability to enhance his international autism study. As he connects with fellow Stamps Scholars who share the same passion for learning, Zachias is sure that this will propel him to achieve his ambitious goals, with the ultimate goal being to understand people and how they work.
Alejandro (Alex) Rios is from Chantilly, Virginia. Inspired by Virginia Tech’s emphasis on community-building and service, its excellent engineering programs, and its beautiful campus, Alex is excited to be a Hokie. Alex plans to major in Computer Science and minor in Finance and use these skills to develop innovative technology solutions as a software engineer while continuing entrepreneurial pursuits as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of a startup company.
From an early age, Alex was fascinated with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), focusing on computers and software programs. He spent countless hours learning the fundamentals of programming. Soon, this hobby became a passion, as Alex loved the creative, problem-solving aspect of coding. He wanted to share his passion for STEM while giving back to the community. Through his work as both a Team Lead and Co-Chair of the Children’s Science Center’s Youth Advisory Board, he led more than 25 students, organizing local events that presented STEM educational topics in fun and interactive ways to youth, especially those traditionally underrepresented in STEM. Additionally, as CTO of a student-run startup, he led a development team that coded an application aimed at simplifying the financial investment research process for Generation Z.
Alex is honored to be a Stamps Scholar, as this opportunity will allow him to strengthen his leadership skills, collaborate with other scholars, and further share his passion for STEM at the national and/or international level.
Outside of the classroom, Alex is a percussionist and enjoys playing, composing, and listening to music.
What is the Stamps Scholarship Program?
The Stamps Scholarship Program is a nationally prestigious merit scholarship program and community that helps exceptional students become meaningful leaders throughout society.
The first Stamps Scholars programs launched in 2006 at the University of Michigan and Georgia Tech, and since then, the program has grown to nearly 40 schools across the country. In 2019, 217 Stamps Scholarship recipients will join our community of more than 2000 Stamps Scholars and alumni.
Stamps Scholars are among the recipients of other prestigious awards, including Rhodes, Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall, Beinecke, and National Science Foundation scholarships.
Scholars receive annual awards that range from $5,400 to $75,000 (four-year awards total an average of $21,600-$300,000) with additional funds for enrichment activities such as study abroad, academic conferences, and leadership training. The Strive Foundation and partner schools evenly share the costs of the awards.
Interested in becoming a Stamps Scholar?
Students who are applying to Virginia Tech this year and are interested in pursuing the Stamps Scholarship can learn more about the application process here.