Hamel Scholars: Leaders for New Hampshire's Future
UNH's Most Prestigious Scholarship Program
The Hamel Scholars Program provides merit scholarships, special recognition, and leadership programming to exceptional students from New Hampshire who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
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Emily Schoonmaker interviews Hamel Scholars at the Dana Hamel Celebration Luncheon, Fall 2023
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Hamel Scholar studying
Individual Coaching
The Hamel Scholars Coordinator meets regularly with each student for holistic coaching sessions. Each student carves a unique path through the program and UNH that best supports their needs and aspirations. Coaching sessions include:
- Individualized leadership goals
- Connecting with opportunities both on and off campus
- Academic planning
- Holistic advising
Collaboration and Connection
To create a community of high-achieving leaders who will continue to support each other well after leaving UNH, the program offers both structured opportunities for collaboration and informal social activities designed to create lasting relationships. Recent examples include:
- Celebration Luncheon with Dana Hamel
- Volunteering at Partners for World Health
- Weekend retreat to Alnoba
- Team building at Boda Borg Boston
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Hamel Scholar explores marine life in a touch tank on Appledore Island.
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Hamel Scholars volunteer
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Hamel Scholars forming new friendships at volunteer event.
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Hamel Scholar explores tech at Deka
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New Hamel Scholar meets Dana Hamel Celebration Luncheon Fall 2023
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Hamel Scholars at the State House Fall Retreat 2023
New Hampshire Network Building
The Hamel Scholars Program connects students with inspirational New Hampshire leaders, including lawmakers and business leaders, as well as Hamel Scholars alumni. These connections serve students as they seek opportunities at UNH and in their career and help them stay linked to the state in the future. Recent guests include:
- Governor Chris Sununu
- Chief Justice Tina Nadeau
- Dean Kamen, Founder of DEKA
- Tina Sawtelle, Executive Director of The Music Hall
- Sarah Winter Whelan, Executive Director of Healthy Ocean Coalition
Leadership Skills
The Hamel Scholars Program leverages the wealth of teaching, training, and coaching expertise at the University of New Hampshire and in the state to provide Scholars a curated program of leadership skill-building workshops. Recent opportunities include:
- The Washington Center's week-long Inside Washington program
- Leveraging LinkedIn and Portfolios
- Budgeting and Money Management
- Developing Meaningful Goals
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Alana Davidson '17 Hamel Alum speaks to current Hamel Scholars
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Jessica Newnan, '17, speaks with Hamel Scholars at the Fall 2023 Celebration Luncheon
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Hamel Scholars meet Judge Nadeau Fall 2023
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Fall 2023 Incoming Hamel Scholars meet Governor Chris Sununu
Hamel Scholars Embrace New Hampshire Retreat
Before the start of their Freshman year, new Hamel Scholars are welcomed to the program with a week-long retreat celebrating our state's unique natural, civic, and business landscape. Fall 2023 Freshmen experiences included:
- Meet and greet with state senators and the governor at the Capitol Building
- Behind the scenes tour of scientific innovation at DEKA
- Marine science overnight on Appledore Island
- Portsmouth Black Heritage Tour and visit to Strawbery Banke
Hamel Moments
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A group of Hamel Scholars volunteered at the Girls on the Run 5K event this fall, providing essential event support to support this empowering event for young girls. UNH Hamel Scholars cheered on the 5K participants and served as mentors to New Hampshire youth.Learn More -
This fall, a group of Hamel Scholars organized a Campus Clean Up Day. Their efforts helped keep beautiful UNH campus clean and welcoming for all.Learn More -
In November, a group of Hamel Scholars volunteered at Partners for World Health in Portland, ME. Partners for World Health collects surplus medical supplies and provides them to communities in need. Hamel Scholars spent the day working together toward Partners for World Health's mission to improve health care and reduce environmental impact.Learn More -
In October, the Hamel Scholars enjoyed lunch and discussion with Chief Justice Tina Nadeau. Justice Nadeau has received numerous leadership awards, including the 2017 New England Association of Drug Court Professionals Leadership Award; the 2021 Perkins Bass Fellowship from the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center, Dartmouth College; and the NHBA’s 2023 Justice William A. Grimes Award for Judicial…Learn More -
The Fall 2023 Hamel Scholars attended a special Luncheon with Dana Hamel, featuring guest speaker Hamel Alum Jessica Newnan, '17.Learn More
Events
No upcoming events
View MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Students who apply to UNH by the Early Action deadline and who qualify for admission to the Hamel Honors & Scholars College are invited to apply for the Hamel Scholars Program. This invitation is usually sent in January. While most Hamel Scholars are chosen before matriculating at UNH, a small number of Juniors join the program each year. Members of the Honors College receive an invitation to apply for this and other scholarships in spring of their sophomore year.
The Hamel Scholars Program supports its students in developing their leadership skills and helping them pursue individualized leadership goals, which they identify through one-on-one advising sessions and large group whole-cohort meetings. In reaching their identified goals, Hamel Scholars may work in small teams to design and execute a brand-new initiative to help the campus or local community, or they may work as an individual to rise to a leadership role in an existing campus organization, group or community program.
The Hamel Scholars Program offers skill-building and professional-development workshops, volunteer opportunities, twice-annual Leadership Luncheons with high-profile speakers, and intimate "Teas with Trailblazers" to provide Scholars more personal conversations with leaders in a variety of arenas. Scholars are expected to participate in a select number of these opportunities each semester.
Along with the requirements above, Hamel Scholars must maintain good standing in the Honors College.
New Hampshire residency is required for incoming freshmen who wish to apply to the Hamel Scholars Program. However, the Hamel Scholars Program typically admits rising juniors each spring (the number of available spaces varies each year), and no in-state residency is required to be admitted through this process.
Hamel Scholars Program alumni are welcome and encouraged to continue their involvement post-graduation!
Our Scholars truly benefit from the support, expertise, and mentorship of our Hamel Alums. Please know that you have an open invitation to return to campus for any of our Hamel Scholars events, formal or casual.
Experts, leaders, scholars, and thinkers in all fields are encouraged to reach out to Daphne Chevalier, Hamel Scholars Program Alumni Coordinator, to arrange a pop-up seminar or workshop, or for an invitation to chat with a small group of current Scholars at a "Tea with Trailblazers" event.
No. The Hamel Scholars Program is a leadership program that enrolls about 100 students, offers a generous scholarship, and requires students to participate in certain activities. Students must specifically apply for the Hamel Scholars Program, a highly competitive process. The Hamel Scholars and Honors College is an enriched curriculum offered to about 1000 high-achieving students at UNH. It does not require a specific application. However, all members of the Hamel Scholars Program must be members in good standing of the Hamel Honors and Scholars College.
Hamel Scholars in the News
Hamel Scholars Meet Governor, Engage With Innovative Technology During Retreat
Hamel Scholars Meet Governor, Engage With Innovative Technology During Retreat
Incoming cohort visits State House in Concord and DEKA in Manchester as part of week-long experience
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Dana Hamel Gives $20M to Create Honors and Scholars College at UNH
Dana Hamel Gives $20M to Create Honors and Scholars College at UNH
Launch of dedicated living-learning community set for fall 2024
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