Nigel York
Staff Q & A
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Hometown: Morrilton, Arkansas
Title: Assistant Director of Event Services/Arkansas Union
Years of Service: Three Years as of February 15th, 2024
Education: Master Recording/Audio Reinforcement. Pro Tools Certified. Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences, Tempe, Arizona, 1998. 25 Years of Professional Event Experience.
How long have you been at the University of Arkansas in Student Affairs?
What have you enjoyed most about your time here? I have been with Student Affairs for three years. In my time here, I have enjoyed working closely with students on my ARKU Events Team and my daily interactions with faculty, staff, students, and all individuals that frequent the Arkansas Union.
Tell us a little about your role in Student Affairs. What brings you joy in this role?
I am the Assistant Director of Event Services in the Arkansas Union. I am responsible for all setups for events, audio/visual equipment, and the proactive navigation of all forms of peculiarity that can ensue in relation to events in the Arkansas Union. I supervise two full-time staff members and a group of student workers. I find joy in helping others, problem solving, and troubleshooting. It is euphoric to be presented with a challenge in a situation and for me to be able to solve it for others. A huge portion of my days are spent adapting, resolving, and reassuring others that their technology, events, and needs are going to be met with the highest caliber of kindness, understanding, and professionalism I may offer anyone at any given time. It makes me feel like a superhero, and we need more of them in this world.
What is the greatest misconception people have about Student Affairs and how do you break that?
I find that within Student Affairs that I often encounter an illusion of separation in my initial encounters with individuals I have never spoken to or worked with in Student Affairs. I find it imperative that I break that illusion and begin to build a connection, maintain that connection, and fortify it over time with others. It is important to me to let others know that they can count on me in all aspects and situations. I understand what it is like to not have answers and to lurk in the shadows of uncertainty. I am a proponent of grace, understanding, information, communication, transparency, visibility, accessibility, integrity, honesty, and the ongoing development of emotional intelligence. It is pinnacle that I project those qualities into the Universe for others. You put it out there and it comes back to you.
What do you like to do with your time outside of the University?
I love to ROCK! I love to ROLL! This involves playing drums in my band Pyrocratic. I love to play live shows and record with my band. I like to riff on the guitar. I like to crank the stereo up! I collect music memorabilia. Records, tapes, CDs, shirts, and whatever stylin’ items I can find for my lifelong collection. I love monsters, old school occult and horror movies. I’m into legend tripping, carefully and respectfully. I love to travel to cities I have never been to and walk the streets. I love going to concerts. Music, Man! It is all that matters!
What do you hope students and colleagues will remember about your interactions?
I hope that they remember me being an anomaly, that I made their lives better than they were before they met me. I hope that I have given them more than I will ever know. This involves the paramount qualities of ethics, morals, determination, perseverance, persistence, strength, growth, character, the ability to change, self-analyzation, leadership, refined intuitiveness, and KINDNESS! I hope they remember that I fight for their self-advocation, development, and what is correct and right in the eyes of truth while we are here on Earth.
Is there anything else you would like to add or let our readers know?
I appreciate everyone, genuinely! If you need anything, let me know! I’ll be running around in the Arkansas Union. Thank you!