University Housing Programs and Student Leader Recognized

University Housing is very proud of recognition recently received from the Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers conference and from the National Residence Hall Honorary.

The Holcombe Hall International Living/Learning Community received the Institutional Diversity Award and Cameron Mussar, president of the Residents’ Interhall Congress, received the Gene Ward Outstanding Student Leader Award for the state of Arkansas at the Southwest Association's annual conference in early March.

The International Living/Learning Community's program — Geography Series: Palestine — received national recognition as National Residence Hall Honorary’s Diversity Program of the Month for February 2012.

The Holcombe awards are a testament to the tremendous work and unwavering commitment the staff members in Holcombe Hall have toward creating a global living and learning community. Namiko Bagirimvano, program assistant for the International Living/Learning Community, is a keystone in its efforts to both provide a home away from home for international students and create an environment for all students to gain a global awareness experience that would be difficult to find elsewhere. Nami’s efforts, the resident assistant staff, and the presence of the international students and scholars office together form an incredible network for the students in the building, and University Housing is grateful to all of them for their support.

The Holcombe Hall International Living/Learning Community was established in 2006. The community has provided the University of Arkansas a unique environment among the campus residence halls. Residents, split approximately in half by domestic American students and international students, participate in rich experiences that promote inquiry, understanding and appreciation for traditions, values and lifestyles present in the world. Whether hosting socials for residents, cultural immersion opportunities led by students, or social justice and awareness events about current issues, Holcombe Hall is at the forefront of creating new opportunities for growth and learning by facilitating intercultural dialogue and experiences.

The community’s programs, events and activities are organized for Holcombe residents, but are open to anyone on campus who is interested in learning different cultures and expanding their global perspectives. With enormous support from different offices, departments, staff, faculty and students, Holcombe Hall has become to be recognized as a place where cultural exchange is happening on campus.

From the nomination for the Gene Ward Outstanding Student Leader Award: Over the past four years Mussar has had an incredible impact on the residence hall community as well as the university community as a whole. Mussar has held a number of leadership roles including hall senator, national communications coordinator, resident assistant, summer conference assistant, president of the National Residence Hall Honorary, and president of RIC, just to name a few. He has truly left his mark on the University of Arkansas campus and has had a positive impact on both students and staff. He has also recently made the decision to enter into the field of student affairs and is hoping to attend graduate school next year to continue his passion for working with student leaders. 

As president of Residents' Interhall Congress, Mussar has made it his mission to increase visibility of the organization as well as become a true representative and voice of the on campus student. One of the initiatives that he has spearheaded has been the creation of a committee to look at the possible implementation of a gender neutral housing policy at the University of Arkansas – something that no other SEC school has done. He is passionate about this issue due to its ability to create a more inclusive environment for all students at the University of Arkansas. His work with this committee has involved a great deal of collaboration from on campus student leaders, administration, and other members of the Arkansas community. He has worked diligently to benchmark what other institutions have done with gender neutral housing and is committed to putting a policy proposal together that is well-thought out and researched and that stresses the importance representing the rights of all. 

Other examples of ways in which Cameron has been a role model for both students and staff in his work to create a more positive living environment and create change for the better include: several campuswide programs that addressed issues such as alcohol awareness at a pre-football tailgate with Associated Student Government, to a Think Pink Night to raise awareness about breast cancer, to our annual Casino Night to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. In addition, through collaboration with the programs director and secretary/treasurer of RIC, he helped to create Programming Incentive Grants (P.I.G.s) that are geared toward four specific areas of scholastics, campus health and safety, leadership/professional development, and campus issues/awareness. This programming grant will leave a long-lasting impact on the residence halls and will contribute to the legacy that Mussar is leaving behind. 

The Gene Ward Outstanding Student Leader Award was named to honor Gene Ward, a founding father of Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers. The winners of this award must be currently living in a residence hall, be attending an institution that is an association member, and have contributed significantly to residence hall living and to the university community on his/her campus.

Contributors: Jack Breffle, Namiko Bagirimvano, Kerri Smith