Whitney Jones is the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement's Student Leader of the Week for Sept. 26 to Oct. 2.

Jones is from Little Rock, Ark., and is majoring in biochemistry.

She is involved in the Volunteer Action Center, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, NUFP Fellow and in First Year Experience as a facilitator in Greek Life. Jones became involved in these activities because she enjoys being involved. She would like to leave an influential legacy as a "True Razorback" by serving the Northwest Arkansas community and being a positive student leader.

Jones thinks that a leader has no limitation to what he or she can do. “I always want to leader others, mainly because I want to guide my peers in a positive direction,” Jones explained. “Utilize available resources and always be open to advice from other student leaders on campus.”

Jones' most memorable Razorback moment was when she participated in the Alternative Spring Break of 2008, sponsored by the office of university housing and the Campus Life Center. This trip was made to New Orleans to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. For Jones, this was an experience of a lifetime: She got a chance to impact families directly. After spending five days in New Orleans, she could better appreciate the many things one takes for granted in life.

Her favorite quote is: “Failure is not an option; only an obstacle.”

The Student Leader of the Week award recognizes a University of Arkansas undergraduate student for excellence in leadership through campus involvement leadership activities or through volunteer and community service programs.

The criteria for nominated students are:

• Good academic and disciplinary standing with the University of Arkansas
• Exemplifies leadership through personal development, organizational leadership, citizenship and community building.

The Center for Leadership and Community Engagement invites the campus community to nominate students who fit the qualifications. All nomination forms should be submitted to Adrain Smith, assistant director of leadership in the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, Arkansas Union Room A665, or via e-mail at atsmith@uark.edu by the first Friday of each month. All nominations will be kept on file and considered for future weeks.