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ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ News

Tracie Griffith, administrative specialist for mathematics, stands in front of the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Math Science Building
AlumniArts and SciencesFirst GenerationLion Voices

Tracie Griffith’s Unretirement – Putting Students First

When Tracie Griffith left the classroom after more than 20 years as a K-12 teacher, she realized something was missing. It was students. In her first year at the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ, she is finding that she's still making a difference...

February 05, 2026
ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ alum, Jordan Miesner-Davis, works with a multi channel pipette.
AlumniArts and SciencesFirst Generation

ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Alum Builds Career Through Science and Persistence

ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ alum, Jordan Miesner-Davis, is helping change lives as a scientist. He helps companies develop and test safe medications for distribution.

January 23, 2026
ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ student, Erika Johnson, center, walks with other Cub Camp counselors and students outside of the Stubblefield Center.
Arts and SciencesFirst GenerationLion Voices

First-Generation Student Spotlight: Erika Johnson

Erika Johnson always knew she wanted to go to college, but she didn't always feel she had the tools to succeed. By always being willing to ask questions and for help, Erika found a home at the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ.

December 10, 2025
Portrait of Hannah Seal from the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Campus Green
Business and IndustryFirst GenerationHealth Education and Human SciencesLion Voices

First-Generation Student Spotlight: Hannah Seal

Hannah Seal, a dental hygiene student, overcame the death of her mom while in elementary school to become the first member of her family to attend college right after high school. By attending the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ, she can stay...

December 02, 2025
Raul Tabares, a senior business administration student at ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ, stands in front of flags denoting the U.S. military branches at the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Veterans Resource Center
Business and IndustryFirst GenerationLion Voices

Success as a Student Veteran

Raul Tabares came to the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ to earn a college degree. After seven years in the U.S. Army, he felt something was missing in his life. He found it at ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ.

November 10, 2025
White buttons that read
First GenerationStudents

First to go but not Alone

More than half of the students who attend the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ are first-generation or the first in their family to attend college. The First-Generation Student Success Committee features nearly 30 faculty and staff - many of whom...

March 19, 2025
Sydney Seegers, program assistant for TRIO STEM SSS
Arts and SciencesFirst GenerationLion Voices

First-Gen Staff Voices: Sydney Seegers

Sydney Seegers graduated from the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ in May 2023. As a first-generation student, it was an "opportunity to chase and achieve her dreams" and become a role model for her family. She gives back to ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ and other first-generation...

November 04, 2024
Dr. Kerrie Taber
Business and IndustryFirst GenerationLion Voices

First-Generation Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Kerrie Taber

Dr. Kerrie Taber is an assistant professor of organizational leadership in the College of Business and Industry at the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ. As a first-generation student, Taber understands the challenges some of her students face...

May 03, 2024
Jennifer Phelan, front-right, takes a selfie with her family
First GenerationStudents

First-Generation Student Spotlight: Jennifer Phelan

When Jennifer Phelan decided to return to the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ, she knew doing so as a first-generation non-traditional student would come with challenges. Through the support of her family, positive attitude, and enthusiasm, she...

April 03, 2024
Patricia Hurtado Perez, Coordinator for Upward Bound Math and Science
AlumniArts and SciencesFirst Generation

First-Generation Staff Spotlight: Patricia Hurtado Perez

As a Hispanic first-generation student, Patricia Hurtado Perez, coordinator for the Upward Bound Math and Science program at the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ, struggled with unique challenges. However, she was undeterred along her path to...

April 02, 2024
Dr. Janine Chitty and her husband, Chuck
Arts and SciencesFirst GenerationLion Voices

First-Generation Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Janine Chitty

Before Dr. Janine Chitty began teaching English at the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ, she was a non-traditional first-generation student learning to navigate college. She now uses her experience to guide students facing similar challenges so...

March 01, 2024
First-Generation and student-athlete, Hannah Boyett poses on graduation day, May 2023 in front of the Numa statue at the Stubblefield Center.
Arts and SciencesAthleticsFirst GenerationLion VoicesStudents

First-Generation Student Spotlight: Hannah Boyett

ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ first-generation graduate and grad school student Hannah Boyett discusses finding her success at ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ in the classroom and on the court.

February 08, 2024
Spencer Ewing sits underneath the stairs at the RAWC with the building name painted behind him.
First GenerationLion Voices

First-Gen Staff Voices: Spencer Ewing

ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ sports and adventure coordinator Spencer Ewing shares his experience as a first-generation college student. His experience has led him to strive to help others in similar situations.

February 01, 2024
Mayeli Rivas, ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ junior nursing student
First GenerationHealth Education and Human SciencesLion VoicesStudents

First Gen Voices: Mayeli Rivas

ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ junior nursing student Mayeli Rivas sometimes feels like Mario jumping over barrels as a first-generation student at ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ, but the support and encouragement from her family and ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ staff has helped her achieve...

October 26, 2023
ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Director of Human Relations, Mandy Keyes
Lion VoicesAlumni

Staff Voices: Mandy Keyes

Hailing from the central Sebastian County town of Hackett, Mandy Keyes, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith director of human resources, admits that attending college after high school was something other than what she planned on pursuing. She...

July 21, 2023
ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ College of Arts and Sciences graduate Daryl McElrath
EventsFeaturedNewsArts and SciencesAlumni

Largest College at ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Honors Graduates

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s 108th commencement continued Saturday, May 13, 2023, with the College of Arts and Sciences graduating class. The more than 400 graduates of ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµâ€™s largest college joined the more than 50,000 ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ alums...

May 13, 2023
Caroline flips her tassel at graduation
EventsFeaturedNewsBusiness and IndustryAlumni

ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Spring Graduation Ends with College of Business and Industry

May 13, 2023
College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences master's graduate, Jaime Vargas
EventsFeaturedNewsHealth Education and Human SciencesAlumni

College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences Celebrates Graduates

The 108th Commencement at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith began Saturday, May 13, 2023, with the graduation of more than 250 students from the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences (CHEHS).

May 13, 2023
ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ dental hygiene graduates, Jon Kevin Villeda (left) and Melissa Perez demonstrate how to floss teeth on testing equipment
FeaturedNewsHealth Education and Human SciencesAlumni

Clinical Boards are No Match for ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Dental Hygiene Students

Celebrating the graduation of 11 University of Arkansas – Fort Smith dental hygiene students is just a tiny part of what makes this class worthy of recognition.

May 13, 2023

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The ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Office of Communications fields all media inquiries for the university. Email Rachel.Putman@uafs.edu for more information.

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Rachel Rodemann Putman

  • Director of Strategic Communications
  • 479-788-7132