The Student Organization Outreach and Involvement Experience (SOOIE) and Office of Student Activities recognizes outstanding Registered Student Organizations and leaders in the annual Student Involvement Awards. This year, 18 students, five RSOs, and one faculty member were recognized for their achievements and involvement on campus through Registered Student Organizations. Winners in each category include:

The Doyle Z. Williams Student Leadership Award

Kirsten James — Kirsten is extremely involved as Vice President of Public Relations for Leadership Walton. In addition, she is involved in other areas of campus, serving as a Walton Ambassador, Treasurer for the Razorback Booster Club, Office for Financial Affairs in Associated Student Government, Director of Member Conduct for her sorority, and Vice Chair of the Distinguished Lectures Committee. In each of her roles, Kirsten brings professionalism, organization, and confidence.

Outstanding Registered Student Organization Service Program

• Space Hogs, Mobile Planetariums — Space Hogs has helped put together 15 mobile planetarium outreach events throughout Northwest Arkansas this school year alone, as well as hosting our highest attended movie night on campus. The outreach events have varied from homeschool organizations, STEM nights, library clubs, and more. These events are not focused solely on the University of Arkansas, but for the community across all of Northwest Arkansas!

Outstanding Registered Student Organization Collaborative Program

• Meal Swipe Donations, Volunteer Action Center and Associated Student Government — The Volunteer Action Center and Associated Student Government's Meal Swipe Donation Drive collected 5,386 donated meal swipes during a two-week period in the fall 2019 semester. A number of swipes have already been utilized by UA staff, faculty, and students in need, and the remaining swipes will roll into the 2020 fall semester. With a 38% undergraduate food insecurity rate, innovative and accessible methods to combat food insecurity are vital. The Meal Swipe Donation Drive collected a great amount of meals for students in need, but also made this food accessible and discreet.

Outstanding Registered Student Organization Program of the Year

• Iranian Student Association, Noayiin music concert — This event was the first Iranian traditional music concert to take place at the University of Arkansas. This event attracted a crowd of more than 300 people!

Outstanding Registered Student Organization Advisor of the Year

• Mack Ivey with Alpha Epsilon Delta, premedical honor society — Ivey works hard year-round to help many students. He provides advising opportunities for students several times a week while going above and beyond each year to help students achieve their dreams in the medical field. He provides many events during the year to help the members of Alpha Epsilon Delta to understand the medical school admissions process and how to become a strong applicant. Ivey is devoted to the success of his students.

Outstanding Registered Student Organization Member/Officer of the Year

• Hunter Rosson with National Society of Leadership and Success — Hunter has made numerous contributions to the University of Arkansas community since starting her role as the philanthropy chair in 2017. In her position, she leads the chapter in community outreach programs such as raising canned goods and donations for the campus food drive to helping facilitate the donation of toys to underprivileged children in the community through Potter's House. In addition to this, with the extra money Hunter saved through couponing and buying toys during periods of sales, Hunter was able to help donate toys to the local children's hospital before Christmas. This helped these children receive toys or games that could occupy their times while undergoing treatments for chronic conditions such as cancer. 

Outstanding New Registered Student Organization of the Year

• Future Women Business Leaders — Future Women Business Leaders established in November 2019. Over the course of three months, the two leaders and faculty advisor recruited over 100 paying members. They hosted a mixer in December, and monthly events in the spring, with two of them being cut short. The group has been able to order t-shirts and graduation cords for members. They have also connected members with executive leaders, recruiters, and women and allies who support their future careers.

Outstanding Registered Student Organization of the Year

• Young Democrats at the University of Arkansas — The Young Democrats at the University of Arkansas has elevated their dedication through community engagement, education, and service. Their events have covered a diversity of local and national political issues and have effectively plugged students into community engagement outlets. Their planning of the Fall Conference and emergency food pantry exemplifies their ability to work with other community groups, and their impressive amount of media coverage exemplifies their ability to generate publicity and communicate with the media.

Office of Student Activities Awards

University Programs Awards

Outstanding Executive Member

• Stephanie Nguyen

Ryan Allen Dedication to University Programs Award

• Cesar Quiodetti, Elizabeth Ellington, Landry Chopin, Robby Marks

Jian Zhang Award of Excellence

• Camille Brinegar

Associated Student Government Awards

Cabinet

• Member of the Year — Avery Hasten
• Outstanding Member of the Year — Sara Gardner
• Unsung Hero — Elijah Conley

Freshman Leadership Forum

• Outstanding FLF member — Mary Eichenberger
• FLF member of the year — Colin Keady

Office of Financial Affairs

• Outstanding OFA Member — William Neely
• OFA Member of the year — Sally Gairhan

Senate

• Outstanding Senator — Natalie Ceniceros
• Senator of the year — Ángel Meneses

Judicial

• Outstanding member — Adam Hagler
• Member of the Year:  Rebecca Carroll

SOOIE Of the Year Awards

SOOIE's Most Involved Student

• Katie Strickland

This program is sponsored by SOOIE through the Office of Student Activities and is supported by the Student Activities fee. Follow SOOIE on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and HOGSync  for more on how you can get involved on campus. SOOIE is a program in the Division of Student Affairs.

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports students in pursuing knowledge, earning a degree, finding meaningful careers, exploring diversity, and connecting with the global community. We provide students housing, dining, health care resources, and create innovative programs that educate and inspire. We enhance the University of Arkansas experience and help students succeed, one student at a time.