Megan Bell’s job title — coordinator of civic and community engagement and leadership development in the Arkansas Tech University Department of Campus Life — might sound complicated.
But her approach to that work is very simple.
“I’m here to serve students and to make their experience at the university the best that I can,” said Bell. “I’ve been in their shoes. I’ve been so far away from home that I needed a family. Always having my door open and accepting them when they need anything…I think that is how we should help our students.”
Bell is the 2025 recipient of the ATU Cupola Award, which is presented on an annual basis to an Arkansas Tech employee who has “gone above and beyond to deliver the highest standard of service for students and deserves to be recognized for consistently striving to achieve excellence.”
A native of La Paz, Mexico, Bell was recruited by Abby Davis — then ATU head tennis coach and now ATU director of athletics — to play tennis at Arkansas Tech.
Bell arrived at ATU in fall 2016. Including her redshirt year and an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bell was a member of the Golden Suns tennis program for six years.
Along the way, she earned four Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar-Athlete recognitions and was a three-time Great American Conference All-Academic selection.
The greatest honor of Bell’s career as a student-athlete came in 2022 when she received the ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for NCAA Division II women’s tennis. She was recognized during a ceremony at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
Bell is a two-time Arkansas Tech graduate. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 2019 and a Master of Arts degree in multi-media journalism in 2022.
“I’m a completely different person than I ever thought I was going to be,” said Bell. “I am forever grateful for Coach Abby Davis. She created a path for me that I never thought was possible. I’m the first person in my family to earn a master’s degree. I never thought I would do that, and it’s all thanks to her giving me the opportunity to continue my tennis career and believing in me that I could get more education. I never would have found this job I have now if it wasn’t for her. I owe everything to her, not just on a tennis court, but outside of that. Everything she did for not just me, but our whole team…she is fantastic.”
Since taking on her current role in the ATU Department of Campus Life in 2022, Bell has provided leadership for activities and programs such as the Green and Gold Give Back day of community service, ATU Freshman Leadership Experience, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day service initiatives, Women’s Week programs, Lunch With a Leader guest speakers and a wide variety of civic engagement initiatives designed to encourage ATU students to register to vote and cast their ballots.
Just as it was during her playing days as a Golden Sun, Bell said she is fortunate to be a member of a great team in the ATU Department of Campus Life.
“We have an incredible time, so it’s always so much fun to come into the office,” said Bell. “I have found my family in student affairs, in campus life and it’s growing into residence life now. I’m so thankful to make so many connections, meet so many wonderful people and learn from the amazing work they do.”
