Finals and graduation season are here! Finals begin on Monday and Commencement on May 12 and 13. We do fit a lot of activities into the end of the school year, from concerts to lectures and everything in between, especially in the month of April. What an exciting conclusion to the end of the academic year.
On April 5, the Associated Student Government brought NFL Defensive Tackle Solomon Thomas to the University of Arkansas to discuss something that Thomas feels might be more important to him than his own football career – mental health and suicide prevention. Razorback Basketball Coach Eric Mussleman’s wife Danyelle moderated the Q&A style lecture. The two spoke about men’s mental health issues and Thomas’ foundation The Defensive Line, which is dedicated to helping end youth suicide, especially for young people of color, by transforming the way we communicate about mental health. Look for more from the Division of Student Affairs this fall as we emphasize wellbeing through a Wellbeing Taskforce.
The Headliner Concerts Committee held its annual Springtime of Youth concert festival on April 22nd.It takes the student committee many months to choose the artists, plan for the show, market it, and then actually put it on. This year’s main headliner was rapper Aminé, but the lineup also included other acts and local Battle of the Bands winner Ted Hammig and the Campaign. A fantastic event that displayed the work of our student leaders.
In our Q&As this month we visit with 2 students from our Freshman Commuter Student Success office, which provides holistic support for freshman commuter students. Recently, Graduate Assistant Matt Barber sought to take on more responsibilities. Barber has helped with one-on-one student mentoring, working with both mentors and mentees. “I have had the joy of serving others and helping provide solutions to a variety of issues,” Barber said. He graduates this month with a Master of Business Administration and begins a summer internship working in college ministry. Isabella Cenobio is a first-year student from Springdale, Arkansas majoring in International Business with a minor in Nutrition. Her time with the Freshman Commuter Student Success office is helping her improve skills that she knows will propel her forward. “Improving my bilingual and networking skills all come together through this Student Affairs program,” said Cenobio, who is on track to graduate in May 2026.
Lori Lander, assistant vice chancellor for campus life and associate dean of students, has been elected director of NASPA Region IV-West. Lander started working at the U of A in November 2014 and has oversight of campus life areas, which includes the Center for Community Engagement, Student Activities, and New Student and Family Programs. Lander’s Region IV-W term as director began April 1 during the NASPA National Conference in Boston. Lander is a passionate and dedicated student affairs professional who is determined to provide the best experience possible for our students. She will be a tremendous leader for our NASPA Region, and a great representative of the U of A and the Division of Students Affairs.
Thank you for reading the Student Affairs Bulletin for May 2023. We will take our usual break from publication this Summer and be back in your in-box in Fall 2023. If you would like more information on anything you read here, please email Scott Flanagin, executive director of communications at sflanagi@uark.edu.