Scholars Programs

Lipscomb offers competitive Scholars Programs that allow academically engaged students to dig deeper and get the most from a business, engineering or leadership degree.

Scholars Programs

The College of Business Swang Scholars Program is for students interested in pursuing a major in accounting, data analytics, data science, entrepreneurship, finance, management or marketing.
The Raymond B. Jones Engineering Scholars Program is for students interested in pursuing a major in civil, mechanical, electrical, computer or software engineering, computer science, cybersecurity or information technology.
The Presidential Leadership Scholars Program is for students in any major who want to maximize their leadership potential. The program is designed for students who have demonstrated a commitment to their academic pursuits and have excelled in high school leadership opportunities, church involvement, work experience and community engagement.

Learning Opportunities

Through each of Lipscomb's Scholars Programs, you will have exceptional learning opportunities such as:

Professional Development. Engage with accomplished leaders across Nashville in your specific academic interest to gain hands-on industry experience and grow professionally. These opportunities will enable you to connect with the local community, build your postgraduate résumé and open doors for internships and career development.
Mentorship Opportunities. Many of our Scholars Programs are led by College Deans, Executive Leadership, and the President's Office. These mentorships will shape your Lipscomb experience and open up unique opportunities for you to have a seat at the table with university leaders, creating a supportive network that empowers you to make informed decisions, build essential skills and embark on a path to success with a sense of direction and purpose.
Faith-Centered, Academic Programming. Lipscomb’s Scholars Programs support students by nurturing curiosity, honing analytical-thinking skills, fostering innovation, and fortifying resilience. These programs cultivate personal growth and enrich your academic pursuits, creating a holistic and fulfilling educational experience.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for a scholars program, you must have scored a:

30 or higher on the ACT
1360 or better on the SAT

a 97 or higher on the CLT, including superscores

Additionally, applicants must have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.5 at the end of the junior year. Weighted GPAs will be considered.

Only students applying as first-time freshmen are eligible to apply for the Scholars Programs.

Students who apply to the university as test-optional must submit an official test score to be eligible for any of these programs.

Ready to Apply?

The application for Fall 2026 will open in late October. The application submission deadline is January 7, 2026.

See the links above for each program for program-specific application details. Students must be admitted to the university prior to applying.

Scholars Program FAQ

How should I decide which program(s) to apply for?

Since both the College of Business Swang Scholars Program and the Raymond B. Jones Engineering Scholars Program are college-based, all eligible students with an academic major offered within those colleges are encouraged to apply for the respective scholars program. Students who have been actively involved with various leadership opportunities, such as high school and church leadership, extracurricular involvement, work experience and community engagement are encouraged to apply for the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program.

How many programs may I apply for?

All eligible students are invited to apply for the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program. To be eligible for the College of Business Swang Scholars Program, your academic major must be one offered within the College of Business. To be eligible for the Raymond B. James Engineering Scholars Program, your academic major must be one offered within the College of Engineering.

Students are therefore limited to applying for a maximum of two scholars programs.

What happens after I apply?

Once the Scholars Decision Committee has received and reviewed your application, select applicants will complete an interview with several members of the decision committee, made up of Lipscomb faculty, staff and current students. Interviews will take place January 19, January 26, and February 24. Interview dates and times will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. All interviews will be conducted in person.

Interviews will be conducted for each scholar program, so some candidates may be offered multiple interviews if selected to move forward for multiple programs. All interviews, however, will be conducted on the same days.

Final decisions for each scholars program will be determined by March 15, and students will be notified through the Bison Portal.

Meet Our Scholars

Drew Dimino

Major: Electrical - Computer Engineering
Hometown: Cary, IL

How are you hoping to get involved with the College of Engineering?
I look forward to leading as an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Officer and other service opportunities.

Allison Hoesel

Major: Double Major in Management and Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Brentwood, TN

How are you hoping to get involved with the College of Business?
As a Swang Scholar, I'm excited for the opportunity to serve on the College of Business's Dean's Student Leadership Council. I also look forward to participating in the ASPIRE program in my junior year, and specifically the trip abroad that is associated with this program. Additionally, I hope to get involved in some business competitions.

Shannon Abernathy

Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Nashville, TN

How are you hoping to get involved with the College of Engineering?
I hope to serve others better and learn more about engineering missions.

Lauren Bostic

Major: Management and on the Pre-Physician Assistant Track
Hometown: Memphis, TN

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
I am looking forward to the lectureship series, getting to know the other PLS members, and being a part of PSAC meetings.

Lily Marie Morton

Major: Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Sevierville, TN

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
The Business Swang Scholars Program helped integrate me into the Lipscomb community incredibly fast, as I came to Quest Week with something already in common with a couple other students. One of my best friends, who I met at Presidential Scholars Day, is also a part of the Swang Scholars, so we had plenty of opportunity to bond and have a meaningful friendship already just one week in.

Kenli Hill

Major: Finance
Hometown: Athens, TN

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
The Scholars Programs have helped me connect with other students who share similar passions and goals and engage with admirable leaders within the school!

Marielle Guarin

Major: Management
Hometown: Sevierville, TN

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
Being a Swang Scholar has provided me with enriching experiences, valuable knowledge, and meaningful networking opportunities that I would not have encountered as a regular COB student. The people I’ve met and the guidance I’ve received have greatly influenced my vision for my future career and deepened my sense of purpose.

Caroline Stuart

Major: Marketing
Hometown: Franklin, TN

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
The Swang Scholars program provides me with many business opportunities, including attending the Nashville Business Breakfast and joining the Dean's Student Leadership Council. It also provides an amazing community of students within the business school that you can walk your business journey with.

Allyanna Westcott

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hometown: Ojai, CA

How are you hoping to get involved with the College of Engineering?
I hope to go on more Peugeot Center trips! I went on my first trip in May to install solar panels, and it was such an incredible experience that I would love to do more in the future.

Miliana Hoffman

Major: Molecular Biology & Spanish
Hometown: Plymouth, MN

What’s been your favorite Scholars Program experience so far?
I have loved getting to know new people through the opportunities this program brings, but especially my group of Presidential Leadership Scholars. We have so much fun together doing things like getting ice cream, having dinner, and going to athletic events. They are all such a blessing to know!

Mandy Wells

Major: Computer Science and Computer Engineering
Hometown: Memphis, TN

What’s been your favorite Scholars Program experience so far?
My favorite Scholars Program experience so far was helping add and repair micro homes for an organization in Nashville that supports people experiencing homelessness. It was such a fulfilling experience to contribute to something that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

Max Lessel

Major: Data Science
Hometown: Little Rock, AR

Why did you choose Lipscomb?
Stepping onto campus was welcoming, and I felt wanted. I love how God is integrated into everything done at Lipscomb, and everything from arts, academics, and athletics is done with excellence. The quality of teachers and students this school attracts makes the experience so much fun, and everyone is looking to grow in faith, knowledge, and relationships.

Gracie Hogan

Major: English Education
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

What’s been your favorite Scholars Program experience so far?
We had the opportunity to take a trip to London with Dr. McQueen this past summer, and it was one of the best trips I have ever taken! We got to become closer with each other as Presidential Leadership Scholars, and form a special relationship with Dr. McQueen, and it was a trip I will never forget!

Macy Simon

Major: Biology
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
The Presidential Leadership Scholars Program has already helped me make some of my closest friends! I’m so excited to get meet leaders around the nation and Nashville area and get to know Dr. McQueen while serving on her Student Advisory Counsel!

J.D. Barnes

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hometown: Birmingham, AL

How are you hoping to get involved with the College of Engineering?
I’m hoping to get involved through the Peugeot Center to gain hands on engineering experience and bless communities at the same time.

Austin Brewster

Major: Law, Justice, and Society
Hometown: Memphis, TN

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
I have enjoyed meeting other high achievers in a professional setting.

Regan Tebrock

Major: Business Management
Hometown: Madisonville, KY

Why did you choose Lipscomb?
I chose Lipscomb because I felt a calling to be here. It also checked so many boxes, from great academics to a Christian community.

Carlos Lamoutte

Major: Accounting
Hometown: Tampa, FL

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
The Scholars Program has enriched my Lipscomb experience so far in connecting me with like minded students on campus who desire to succeed and achieve for the Glory of God.

Benjamin Norbury

Major: Computer Science
Hometown: West Chester, PA

How are you hoping to get involved with the College of Engineering?
I am planning on participating in mission trips through the College of Engineering and look forward to additional opportunities to further my education within the college.

Michael Johnson-McIntyre

Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN

Why did you choose Lipscomb?
Lipscomb was on my list for numerous reasons, but some key points were the fact that it’s a Christian university, has a strong engineering program, great opportunities for engineers, and it’s fairly close to home.

Will Johnson

Major: Data Analytics
Hometown: Cookeville, TN

What’s been your favorite Scholars Program experience so far?
The Nashville Business Breakfast

Mark Batsuk

Major: Accounting
Hometown: Franklin, TN

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
The Scholars Program has given me a sense of confidence that I can reach my business goals because I know there are so many opportunities where I can meet professionals and learn from them.

Savannah Goodman

Major: Business Finance
Hometown: Bonifay, FL

How are you hoping to get involved with the College of Business?
I intend to use the plethora of resources available through the College of Business such as various networking, leadership and internship opportunities in conjunction with the professional opportunities that the city of Nashville provides to springboard my career in business.

William de Araujo Jorge

Major: Finance
Hometown: Lebanon, TN

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
I look forward to connecting with other businessmen who are just as committed to excellence as I am. Also, I am excited about the opportunity to get to know the dean and other faculty members within the College of Business.

John Meifert

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Monument, CO

How has the Scholars Program enriched your Lipscomb experience so far?
The Raymond B. Jones Engineering Scholars Program has given me a tight knit community of other students that think a lot like I do. I was able to start working on addressing problems and doing engineering processes a lot earlier than I thought. It has also given me a great connection with Dean Elrod, who I've met with a lot to discuss different things.

Jaden Rodriguez

Major: Business Management
Hometown: Franklin, TN

Scholars Trip to Oxford

Scholars Programs