Cayser Nickell has been selected as a Gates Scholar and is part of the Gates Scholarship Class of 2025. He is one of 750 Scholars chosen from over 48,000 applicants and represents a small percentage of American Indian/Alaskan Native recipients.
The Gates Scholarship, launched in 2017 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, covers the full cost of attendance for a bachelor’s degree, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, along with support services for academic and career success.
Cayser’s scholarship journey began in July of last year, culminating in a virtual interview in March as a finalist.
He actively participates in extracurricular activities, including the National and Oklahoma Honor Society, and maintains a 4.0 GPA.
He plans to attend East Central University, then transfer to Oklahoma State University for a Bachelor in Kinesiology and eventually pursue a Physical Therapy doctoral program.
He has a strong passion to continue his education in the medical field. Cayser lost his father, Jesse, in February of 2024 after battling brain cancer for 12 years. Jesse was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. Instilling his love for the outdoors and a healthy lifestyle in Cayser from a very early age.
“I enjoy being healthy and working out because my health is important to me,” said Cayser. “I feel like I can use what knowledge I have to help others improve their health and well-being”.
In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, and camping. For more information on The Gates Scholarship, visit thegatesscholarship.org.