First awarded in 2012, the University Distinguished Professors Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship created by the UDPs to amplify the professional development opportunities of graduate students. It is awarded annually to a Colorado State University graduate student who demonstrates excellence in research and academia.

The current scholarship selection process rotates between the colleges. There is not a campuswide call for nominations. For more information, view the UDP Scholarship Process (PDF).

This scholarship award is funded by the UDPs and accepts donations year-round. If you would like to donate, please visit the CSU Donations website and select “University Distinguished Professors Scholarship” in the Designation(s) field. 

UDP Scholarship Recipients

Christian Sewor,
2025

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences;
Ph.D. candidate, Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences

About Christian

Margaret Walker,
2025

College of Natural Sciences;
Ph.D. candidate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

About Margaret

Ryleigh Gelles,
2024

Graduate Degree Program in Ecology;
Ph.D. candidate, Forest & Rangeland Stewardship

About Ryleigh

Han-Yun "Heidi" Tseng,
2023

College of Health and Human Sciences;
Ph.D. candidate, Applied Developmental Science

About Heidi

Stephanie Scott,
2023

College of Liberal Arts;
Ph.D. candidate, Journalism and Media Communication

About Stephanie

Emily Gordon,
2022

Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering;
Ph.D. candidate, Atmospheric Science

Jillian Katz,
2021

College of Business;
M.B.A. candidate, Business Administration

Hanan El Zabbati,
2020

College of Agricultural Sciences;
Ph.D. candidate, Horticulture

Lynn Pezzanite,
2019

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences;
Ph.D., 2021, Clinical Sciences

Annalise Maughan,
2018

College of Natural Sciences; 
Ph.D., 2018, Chemistry

Katherine Lininger,
2017

Warner College of Natural Resources;
Ph.D., 2018, Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Jeff Cook,
2016

College of Liberal Arts;
Ph.D., 2017, Political Science

Leah Marinescu,
2015

Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering;
Ph.D., 2018, Atmospheric Science

Dave Balhiser,
2014

College of Business;
M.S., 2015, Business Administration/Financial Risk Management

Ally Brothers,
2013

College of Health and Human Sciences; 
Ph.D., 2016, Applied Developmental Science

Todd Gilligan,
2012

College of Agricultural Sciences;
Ph.D., 2012, Bioagricultural Sciences/Entomology