Arkansas Tech University senior Carson Smith of Russellville was selected by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators to receive the 2025 NASPA Region IV-West Rising Star Award in recognition of his leadership, academic achievement and involvement in student affairs-related work.
Smith is serving as ATU Student Government Association president during the 2025-26 academic year. His previous SGA experience includes fulfilling the duties of secretary of finance and administration during the 2024-25 academic year. Smith has also served as external vice president for Order of Omega, president of Kappa Sigma fraternity, student coordinator for the Hull Building Student Union and he will be student coordinator for Ferguson Student Union when it opens in spring 2026.
A finance and business management major, Smith provided leadership for ATU freshman orientation at the beginning of the fall 2025 semester.
He plans on attending law school at the University of Arkansas following his graduation from Arkansas Tech in May 2026.
