ArSAA Honors University of Arkansas with Outstanding Innovative Program Award

The Arkansas Student Affairs Association (ArSAA) is proud to announce that the University of Arkansas has been selected as the recipient of this year’s ArSAA Outstanding Innovative Program Award for Hogs Get Hired: From Campus Work to Career Success.

This innovative initiative is a strategic effort to transform student employment at the University of Arkansas into intentional career development opportunities. Led by Career Connections in collaboration with Student Affairs and Human Resources, the program ensures that student job responsibilities are clearly aligned with the university’s eight Career-Ready Skills, positioning campus employment as a powerful pathway to post-graduate success.

Through hands-on workshops, supervisors were equipped to design meaningful student employment experiences that support both student growth and departmental goals. By intentionally embedding transferable skill development into positions across campus, the initiative reframes student employment as a high-impact practice that advances career readiness.

As a result of the program, 220 student positions were aligned with career-ready outcomes, positively impacting more than 1,000 student employees within the Division of Student Affairs. More than 100 managers participated in the training, prompting not only the redesign of student roles but also broader conversations around organizational structures, compensation models, recruitment strategies, and workforce development.

ArSAA commends the University of Arkansas for this forward-thinking program and its measurable impact on student success and career preparation.

ArSAA Recognizes Lynnlee Mitchell with Outstanding Graduate Student Award

The Arkansas Student Affairs Association (ArSAA) is proud to announce that Lynnlee Mitchell of Arkansas Tech University has been selected as the recipient of the ArSAA Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

This award recognizes graduate students who demonstrate exceptional promise, leadership, and commitment to the student affairs profession. Mitchell has distinguished herself through her academic excellence, dedication to student success, and meaningful contributions to both her institution and the broader field of student affairs.

In her nomination, a colleague shared, “In every role she assumes—whether as a graduate assistant, student volunteer, or emerging professional—Lynnlee demonstrates exceptional initiative, professionalism, and leadership. Her academic achievements, dedication to student success, and contributions to both our institution and the field of student affairs make her an outstanding candidate for this award.”

The nominator further noted that Mitchell embodies the qualities of a future leader in higher education and student affairs and is well positioned to continue making significant contributions to the profession.

ArSAA congratulates Lynnlee Mitchell on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her commitment to excellence and service within the student affairs profession.

ArSAA Honors Mary Margaret DeBow with 2025 Dr. Charles W. Donaldson Outstanding New Professional Award

The Arkansas Student Affairs Association (ArSAA) is pleased to announce that Mary Margaret DeBow of the University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Charles W. Donaldson Outstanding New Professional Award.

The Donaldson Award recognizes emerging professionals in student affairs who have demonstrated exceptional promise, leadership, and impact early in their careers. Since joining the University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College in 2023, DeBow has quickly distinguished herself through her commitment to student success and excellence in academic advising.

In her nomination, a colleague shared, “Since joining UAPTC in 2023, Mary Margaret has quickly become an invaluable asset to our team. Her deep understanding of advising best practices, natural ability to connect with students, and high-quality advising skills have already been instrumental in significantly boosting our registration and retention numbers.”

DeBow’s dedication to students, coupled with her consistently positive attitude and strong work ethic, has made a lasting impression on both the advising team and the broader campus community. In recognition of her outstanding performance and leadership potential, she was promoted to Assistant Director of Academic Advising in a remarkably short period of time—a testament to her passion for delivering exceptional academic advising and outstanding customer service.

ArSAA is proud to recognize Mary Margaret DeBow as a rising leader in the student affairs profession and celebrates her contributions to student success at the University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College.

ArSAA Names Dr. Lori Lander as 2025 Recipient of the Dr. Mossie J. Richmond, Jr. Outstanding Leadership Award

The Arkansas Student Affairs Association (ArSAA) is proud to announce that Dr. Lori Lander of the University of Arkansas has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Mossie J. Richmond, Jr. Outstanding Leadership Award, the highest honor bestowed by the student affairs profession in Arkansas.

The Richmond Award recognizes exemplary student affairs leaders who have made significant and sustained contributions to both the profession and ArSAA as an association. Dr. Lander’s career reflects a deep commitment to leadership, professional engagement, and advancing student success across the state and beyond.

In her nomination, a colleague shared, “Lori is our steady champion for the Student Affairs profession, always thinking about how we can introduce undergraduates to our field, provide meaningful experiences for graduate assistants, remain connected to national organizations, and stay ahead of trends impacting our students and staff.”

Dr. Lander currently serves as the lead for the University of Arkansas’s People & Culture initiative, where she has assessed staff members’ sense of value and workplace well-being, developed an employee recognition program, and guided talent development initiatives focused on strengthening core Student Affairs competencies. She also actively promotes engagement with state, regional, and national professional associations, conferences, webinars, and award opportunities to expand professional development and institutional partnerships.

A highlight of Dr. Lander’s service to the profession includes three academic years on the ArSAA Executive Board. After relocating to Arkansas in 2014, she quickly became involved with the association, contributing to conference planning, presenting at statewide conferences, and supporting ArSAA’s mission across campuses. In her current role as NASPA IV-West Regional Director, she was instrumental in facilitating ArSAA’s partnership with NASPA IV-West for the Critical Conversations Drive-In Conference on First-Generation Student Success held in April 2025.

With more than 30 years in higher education, Dr. Lander has remained actively engaged with NASPA, ACPA, ArSAA, and multiple housing organizations. She currently serves on the NASPA National Board and as NASPA IV-West Regional Director, and has previously been involved with the Arkansas Council for Women in Higher Education. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for giving back to the profession through conference presentations, scholarship support, and expanding access to professional development opportunities for students and staff.

ArSAA is honored to recognize Dr. Lori Lander’s outstanding leadership and lasting impact on the student affairs profession in Arkansas.

ArSAA to Co-Host 2026 NASPA Region IV-West Summer Critical Conversations Drive-In Conference at UAFS

The Arkansas Student Affairs Association (ArSAA), in partnership with NASPA Region IV-West, is pleased to announce that the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith (UAFS) will host the 2026 NASPA Region IV-West Summer Critical Conversations Drive-In Conference on Student Persistence, Retention, & Strategic Enrollment Management. The conference will take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, on the UAFS campus.

This one-day professional development event will focus on the critical topics of student persistence, retention, and strategic enrollment management. Participants will explore how student affairs broadly, as well as specific programs, interventions, services, and events, contribute to student persistence and institutional retention outcomes. The conference will also highlight promising practices in collaboration among student affairs, student success, and strategic enrollment management professionals.

ArSAA and NASPA Region IV-West invite higher education professionals, staff, and administrators to attend this drive-in conference to enhance their understanding of strategies that support student success and strengthen institutional outcomes.

Additional details, including registration information, will be shared in the coming months.

ArSAA Announces Robert Moore of Northwest Arkansas Community College as Incoming President

The Arkansas Student Affairs Association (ArSAA) is pleased to announce that Robert Moore of Northwest Arkansas Community College has been elected as the association’s incoming president.

Moore, who serves as an Academic Advisor and Internship Coordinator as well as an Adjunct Instructor of Political Science at Northwest Arkansas Community College, was elected in October 2024 as President-Elect. He spent the past year serving alongside outgoing president Millie Goins, gaining valuable insight and experience to lead the association in the upcoming term.

As president, Moore will work with the Executive Board to advance ArSAA’s mission of strengthening the student affairs profession, fostering an equipped professional community, and supporting student success across Arkansas. His leadership, experience in higher education, and commitment to professional development position him to guide the association into its next chapter.

ArSAA looks forward to Moore’s vision and leadership in continuing to grow the association and promote excellence within the student affairs profession.

ArSAA to Co-Host Spring Critical Conversations Drive-In Conference on First-Generation Student Success

The Arkansas Student Affairs Association (ArSAA), in partnership with NASPA Region IV-West, is excited to announce the Spring Critical Conversations Drive-In Conference on First-Generation Student Success. The conference will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, Arkansas.

This day-long professional development event is designed to support higher education professionals in advancing strategies and practices that promote success for first-generation college students. The conference will begin at 9:15 a.m. with the opening session and keynote address, concluding at 3:00 p.m.

Alejandra Campoverdi, a nationally recognized women’s health advocate and bestselling author of FIRST GEN: A Memoir, will deliver the keynote, sharing insights and experiences aimed at inspiring and equipping student affairs professionals to better serve first-generation students.

ArSAA and NASPA Region IV-West invite higher education professionals, staff, and administrators across Arkansas and the surrounding region to attend this impactful event focused on enhancing student success and professional development.

For registration details and additional information, please visit https://www.naspa.org/region/region-iv-w.

Please welcome the new and returning members to the 2024-2025 ArSAA Executive Board!  Click HERE to learn more!

The 2024 ArSAA Spring Drive-In Conference was held Friday, March 29, at the University of Central Arkansas.  Over 100 student affairs professionals from across the state attended.  Click HERE to view photos from the event and feel free to tag yourself and/or your institution!