Thirty-two representatives from Arkansas Tech University have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 edition of “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”
“Who’s Who” selection is based upon academic achievement, service to the community while enrolled at Tech, leadership and involvement in co-curricular activities and the potential for continued success.
Arkansas Tech students must have met the following criteria in order to be eligible for the 2017 edition of “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”
- be full-time students; undergraduates must be currently enrolled in at least 12 hours, graduate students must be currently enrolled in 9 hours, graduate assistants in at least 6 hours;
- have completed at least 90 hours by the end of the fall 2016 term; graduate students must have completed at least 12 hours by the end of the fall 2016 semester;
- have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75; graduate students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.25;
- and have not previously received this honor (both undergraduates and graduates).
Below is information about all 32 of the Arkansas Tech “Who’s Who” representatives for 2017, listed alphabetically (classification and hometown in parentheses):
Tamara Bell (Senior, La Paz, Mexico)
Tamara Bell is working on her fourth letter as a member of the Arkansas Tech tennis team during the spring 2017 semester. She was named All-Great American Conference in 2014, 2015 and 2016. She has also served as a lab assistant in the Department of English and World Languages, as a member of the Dean’s Leadership Class in the College of Business and as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Bell is the daughter of Ted Bell and Marisol Torres. She will graduate from Arkansas Tech with a degree in management and marketing in May 2017.
Megan Bryant (Junior, Rogers)
Megan Bryant has served as president of the Resident Assistant Council and as an officer for Nutt Residence Hall government and the National Residence Hall Honorary. A freshman orientation leader in 2016, Bryant was a member of the Division of Student Services conduct board in spring 2016 and fall 2016.
Daughter of Mindy and Ramon Sinclair, Bryant is married to James Bryant. She is on pace to graduate from ATU with a degree in rehabilitation science and psychology in May 2018.
Lauren Bryan (Senior, Russellville)
Lauren Bryan has performed community service to benefit the Pope County Library, Bona Dea Trails and Sanctuary, the Russellville Animal Shelter, Center Valley Elementary School and the American Heart Association during her time as an ATU student. She has worked as a resident assistant and orientation leader. She has also been active in intramural sports and held membership in the Health, Physical Education and Wellness Science Club.
Bryan will graduate from ATU with a degree in health and physical education in May 2017. She is married to Ian Bryan.
Maro Croff (Senior, Alma)
Maro Croff was president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity for two years. He was selected the registered student organization president of the year at ATU in 2016. Croff has worked as an orientation leader and held membership in the Health, Physical Education and Wellness Science Club, Order of Omega, Student Government Association and Young Democrats. He has been active in intramural sports, and he appeared in a television commercial promoting the university.
Croff will graduate with a degree in health and wellness in May 2017. His parents are Maro Croff and Jacqueline Croff.
Joli Dupy (Senior, Wood River, Ill.)
President of the Hanna E. Norton Public Relations Student Society of America chapter at Arkansas Tech University, Joli Dupy has also been active in TRIO Student Support Services, the Arka Tech student newspaper, International Student Organization and Communication Society.
Daughter of Jill and Jeff Dupy, Dupy will graduate with a degree in journalism in May 2017.
C. Cynthia Esiaka (Graduate Student, Lagos, Nigeria)
C. Cynthia Esiaka has worked as a graduate assistant in the Norman Career Services office and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Arkansas Tech. She has served as an officer for the Graduate Student Council and the International Student Organization and held membership in the College Student Personnel Association.
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. Williams Esiaka, Esiaka will graduate with a master degree in college student personnel in May 2017.
Melanie Finley (Senior, Beebe)
A former secretary for the International Association of Emergency Managers student chapter at Arkansas Tech, Melanie Finley also held membership in the Residence Hall Association, Service Members and Veterans of America, National Residence Hall Honorary, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Division of Student Services conduct board, Red Cross on Campus and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She completed the Department of Public Safety’s cadet program.
Finley graduated with a degree in emergency management and criminal justice in December 2016. Her parents are Kaye and Joe Bill Finley.
Taylor Garrett (Graduate Student, Plumerville)
Taylor Garrett has worked as a graduate assistant in the Department of English and World Languages and served as chair of the constitution committee for the Graduate Student Council. He holds membership in the Alpha Chi National Honor Society and the National Council of Teachers of English.
Garrett will graduate with a master degree in English in May 2017. His parents are Melissa and Johnny Garrett.
Brian Gattis (Senior, Ozark)
Brian Gattis’ campus involvement has included activity with KXRJ 91.9 FM campus radio station, Pi Kappa Delta debate and forensics honor fraternity, Wesley Foundation, Verge Collegiate Ministries and Public Relations Student Society of America. He has worked as an orientation leader.
Son of Wendi and Brian Gattis, Gattis will graduate with a degree in communication and journalism in May 2017.
Erica Goss (Senior, Mena)
Erica Goss has served as president for Student Activities Board and historian for Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She has also been active in Student Alumni Association and Hospitality Society while working on campus as an orientation leader, student ambassador and resident assistant. She performed research on behalf of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Hospitality Administration.
Goss will graduate with a degree in hospitality administration in May 2017. Her parents are Julie and David Daniels and Heather and Eric Goss.
Qassye Hall (Senior, Russellville)
Qassye Hall has been editor of the Nebo literary journal and outreach director for Greek Programming Board. She has held membership in Alpha Sigma Tau sorority and theSigma Tau Delta organization for English students. She has also been active in intramural sports.
An English and creative writing major, Hall will graduate in May 2017. Her parents are Amber Hall and Jimmie Hall.
Cody Hardgrave (Senior, Clarksville)
Officer appointments for Cody Hardgrave at Arkansas Tech have included leadership opportunities with Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Anthropology Club, Order of Omega, College Panhellenic Council. She has also been active with Student Government Association, and she has served as an orientation leader.
Hardgrave is the daughter of Misty and Ben Hardgrave. She will graduate in May 2017 with a degree in biology.
Alaina Harpenau (Senior, Russellville)
Zeta Tau Alpha, Presidential Leadership Cabinet, Campus Environmental Coalition are all organizations in which Alaina Harpenau has held officer positions during her undergraduate career at Arkansas Tech. She has also held membership in Student Government Association, Beta Gamma Sigma, Enactus and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She has worked in the Office of Campus Recreation and as an orientation leader. She is active in intramural sports.
Harpenau will graduate with a degree in management and marketing in May 2017. Donna and Al Harpenau are her parents.
Kevin Hemphill (Senior, Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Kevin Hemphill has provided leadership for Sigma Pi, Interfraternity Council, Coalition of Gentlemen and Order of Omega. He has worked as a resident assistant and an orientation leader, and he has held membership in Chemistry Club and Anthropology Club.
Son of Crylia and Kevin Hemphill, Hemphill will receive his degree in biomedical sciences in May 2017.
Whitney Hicks (Senior, Monticello)
Whitney Hicks was involved with Student Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau honor society during her undergraduate career at Arkansas Tech. She was honored for her essay as part of the 2014 International Women’s Week commemoration on campus and she earned the Tech Tradition Keeper designation. She worked as a student ambassador and as an orientation leader.
Hicks’ parents are Bonnie and Kevin Hicks. She graduated with a nursing degree in December 2016.
Aysia Jackson (Senior, West Memphis)
President of the National Society Collegiate of Scholars at Arkansas Tech, Aysia Jackson is also active in Presidential Leadership Cabinet, African American Student Association, Student Alumni Association, Student Support Services, Behavioral Science Club, Psi Chi, Because We Can and Wesley Foundation Age to Age. She is a Global Connect partner through the International and Multicultural Student Services Office, and she is a former member of Tech Sweethearts. She has worked as a tour guide in the Office of Admissions, orientation leader, student ambassador and caller/manager for phonathons to benefit the ATU Foundation.
Jackson’s parents are Samuel John Jackson Jr. and Schwantell Arberry. She will graduate with a degree in psychology in May 2017.
Kelsey Jenkins (Senior, Benton)
Kelsey Jenkins has served as an officer for Delta Zeta sorority, Presidential Leadership Cabinet and Student Nurses Association. She has also held membership in the Student Alumni Association and the Pacesetter Committee, and she has been active in intramural sports.
Jenkins is the daughter of Kim and Robert Jenkins. She will receive her nursing degree in May 2017.
Camille Jordan (Senior, Little Rock)
Camille Jordan is a member of Presidential Leadership Cabinet, Student Alumni Association, Anthropology Club and the Health, Physical Education and Wellness Science Club. She has worked on campus as an orientation leader and resident assistant.
Erika T. Jordan is her mother. Jordan will receive her degree in communication in May 2017.
Patrick Kamerling (Senior, Fort Smith)
President of the Interfraternity Council and past president of the Greek Programming Board, Patrick Kamerling has held additional leadership positions with Sigma Pi fraternity. He has participated in GOLD Cabinet and Order of Omega. Kamerling was Greek man of the year and GOLD leader of the year at ATU in 2016. He has worked as an orientation leader and as a student assistant in the Office of Athletic Communications.
Kamerling’s mother is Kim Kamerling. He will graduate with a degree in management and marketing in May 2017.
Emma Kinsey (Senior, Centerton)
Emma Kinsey has held membership in Zeta Tau Alpha, Hospitality Society and Special Olympics College during her time at Arkansas Tech. She has worked in the Doc Bryan Student Services Center information booth and as an orientation leader.
Kinsey is the daughter of Jamie and Brian Kinsey. She will earn her degree in rehabilitation science in May 2017.
Brooks Laffoon (Senior, Russellville)
Brooks Laffoon is past president of Order of Omega. She has also held officer positions with Delta Zeta sorority, Presidential Leadership Cabinet and Greek Programming Board. She has been active in Tri Beta, Student Government Association and Student Alumni Association.
Eric Laffoon and Christi Emmerling are her parents. Laffoon will graduate in May 2017 with a degree in biomedical sciences.
Kyle McCabe (Senior, Atkins)
Because We Can, RESULTS, Behavioral Sciences Club, TRIO Alumni Society, Alpha Tau Omega, Hospitality Society, Young Americans for Liberty, Alpha Kappa Delta honor society and Psi Chi honor society are some of the organization in which Kyle McCabe has been involved at Arkansas Tech.
Kathy McCabe is his mother. McCabe will receive his degree in sociology and psychology in May 2017.
Katherine Nunez (Senior, Rogers)
Two student organizations at Arkansas Tech — National Residence Hall Honorary and Behavioral Science Applied Research — benefited from Katherine Nunez’s service as vice president. She was also a member of Presidential Leadership Cabinet, Student Government Association, Behavioral Science Club, Anthropology Club, Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Because We Can, Alpha Kappa Delta honor society and Psi Chi honor society. Nunez worked as a resident assistant.
Elba and Luis Nunez are her parents. Nunez graduated with a degree in sociology and psychology in December 2016.
Tahmid Shantanu (Senior, Dhaka, Bangladesh)
Founder and member of the International Student Organization at Arkansas Tech, Tahmid Shantanu was president of the ATU Soccer Club for two years. He has held membership in Because We Can, National Residence Hall Honorary and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Shantanu has worked in the International and Multicultural Student Services Office, the Doc Bryan Student Services Center information booth, the Doc Bryan Tutoring Center as well as in the roles of resident assistant, student ambassador and orientation leader.
Muhammad Ishaque Mian and Ferdousi Sultana are his parents. Shantanu will receive his degree in sociology in May 2017.
Mason Sims (Senior, Alma)
Mason Sims has served as president of the Behavioral Sciences Club, president of the Behavioral Sciences Applied Research Club, president of Psi Chi honor society, GOLD Cabinet executive board member and vice president for the Resident Assistant Council at Arkansas Tech. He is also a member of Because We Can.
Bridgett Shelton is Sims’ mother. He will earn a psychology degree in May 2017.
Sydney Skaggs (Senior, Russellville)
Sydney Skaggs has achieved membership in Psi Chi, Alpha Chi and Alpha Kappa Delta honor societies during her time at Arkansas Tech. Her campus involvement has included the Behavioral Sciences Applied Research Club, Campus Kitchens Project, Global Connect, Because We Can, Pre-Med Club, Special Olympics College, Behavioral Science Club and Campus Environmental Coalition. Skaggs has tutored her peers in psychology and sociology.
Her parents are Jill Skaggs and Rick Skaggs. She is majoring in psychology, sociology and criminal justice and will graduate in May 2017.
Brittney Smith (Graduate Student, Stuttgart)
Brittney Smith is a graduate assistant in the ATU Department of Diversity and Inclusion. She is vice president for the College Student Personnel Association and has served on the Division of Student Services conduct board.
Smith’s parents are Charles Smith and Stacy Coleman. She will receive a master degree in college student personnel in May 2017.
Alexa Sotomayor (Senior, Russellville)
A member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, Alexa Sotomayor also participated in Student Nurses Association at ATU. She worked as an orientation leader and student ambassador.
Tammie and Al Sotomayor are her parents. Sotomayor completed her nursing degree in December 2016.
Patrick Sparks (Senior, Berryville)
Resident assistant of the year at ATU in 2015-16, Patrick Sparks has served as vice president for Interfraternity Council and as an officer for Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, residence hall government and Enactus.
Son of Marjie Sparks and Andrew Sparks, Sparks will graduate in May 2017 with a degree in management and marketing as well as economics and finance.
Anna St. John (Senior, Monticello)
Anna St. John has served as president of College Panhellenic Council and as an officer for Zeta Tau Alpha at Arkansas Tech. St. John has also held membership in Student Government Association, Accounting Club and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Daughter of Carl and Scott St. John, she will receive her accounting degree in May 2017.
Vandella Suico (Senior, The Woodlands, Texas)
Vandella Suico is working on her fourth letter as a member of the Arkansas Tech tennis team during the spring 2017 semester. She has served as an officer for Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, College Panhellenic Council and Student Nurses Association. Suico was a member of the 2016 Homecoming court at ATU, and she is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Daughter of Val and Meliva Suico, she will graduate with a degree in psychology in December 2017.
Lindsey Triplett (Senior, Damascus)
Lindsey Triplett has held membership in Agriculture Club, Department of Agriculture Ambassadors, Hull-Hughes Collegiate Future Farmers of America, Pre-Vet Club, Presidential Leadership Cabinet, Public Relations Student Society of America, Residence Hall Association, Wesley Foundation and Zeta Tau Alpha at ATU. She was named Arkansas “Agvocate” of the year by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation in 2015 and was twice selected to serve as social media specialist at the National FFA Convention. Triplett was named to the 2016 Homecoming court at Arkansas Tech.
Angela Triplett is her mother. Triplett will graduate with a degree in agriculture business in May 2017.
