As Arkansas Tech University freshman Carissa Vaughan begins her second semester of college, she is looking to the future for motivation to persevere and earn her degree.
“I think about why I’m doing this,” said Vaughan. “Part of the reason I am doing this is for music ministry in the church, but I also want to become an educator. I believe going through (college) is going to make me a better educator. Knowing where I struggled is going to help me help the students I have when they struggle with similar things. I’ll be able to tell them how I got through it. Knowing that I’ll be able to help others is what gets me through the hard times.”
The spring 2026 semester at ATU began on Monday, Jan. 12. It is the continuation of the 116th academic year at Arkansas Tech.
Vaughan, a Mansfield resident who was accepted into the ATU Honors program upon her enrollment at the institution, is studying vocal music at ATU. She said she is excited about the choir concerts in which she will perform during the spring semester.
“The best part is the community,” said Vaughan when asked about her favorite aspect of ATU. “When I was considering colleges, I decided on (ATU) because I liked the community feel, specifically the music program because that’s what I was looking for. Now that I’m here, everything (at ATU) seems like a community. The professors care. They are going to work with you when you have issues that come up. They will make sure you are set up for success.”
Vaughan counts time management as the No. 1 lesson she learned during her first semester at Arkansas Tech. She also feels like she has become more outgoing since arriving on campus.
“I am most looking forward to the learning aspect,” said Vaughan when asked what she is anticipating this semester. “I came from a really small school, so I really like that Tech provides us a more in-depth look at things. There are a lot of resources in the area and a lot of places to go, too. We have so many lounge areas where we can sit around and talk. There are pickleball courts on campus and parks just down the road where we can go play pickleball. I think Russellville is a great location.”
While Vaughan is still at the beginning of her Arkansas Tech experience, Gage Law of Conway can see the finish line.
The senior finance major has been active in fraternity life as a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and as president of the Interfraternity Council during his time at ATU.
“From when I got here from high school to now, I am a completely changed person,” said Law. “The opportunities I’ve had on campus and being able to lead, not only through my actions but other people as well, has really changed me as a person and as a leader.
“It’s what you make it out to be,” continued Law. “If you sit in your room all day and do nothing, you’re not going to get anything out of it. If you go out and hang around people every day, you are going to get a lot out of it. That’s something that Arkansas Tech and Russellville as a whole have embraced.”
As a result, Law was excited to get back to campus and catch up with friends following the holiday break.
“The environment is the best part of Arkansas Tech,” said Law. “There’s always a good place to go hang out with people. If you want to sit outside, there are plenty of benches to take in the environment and the trees. (ATU) has very open arms. Someone is always opening a door for you and greeting you. The professors are the same way…willing to talk to you and e-mail you back. That’s helped me a lot. I can go up to my professors and they know my first and last name by heart. We build those close relationships through that.”
As a veteran of campus, Law has been able to watch the construction of Ferguson Student Union from beginning to end. The grand opening and dedication for the nearly 70,000-square foot facility is scheduled for March 18.
Law said that additional meeting spaces and the first full-scale fitness center in ATU history will be among the biggest benefits of Ferguson Student Union.
“It has all the good stuff to really have a good time while you’re in college,” said Law. “I think it’s going to bring people together, and I think you’ll see a whole other aspect of people at Tech really enjoying getting out even more so than what you see today.”
The final day to register for the spring 2026 semester at ATU is Friday, Jan. 16.
Call (479) 968-0343 or visit www.atu.edu for more information.
