Spicher Selected for '40 Under 40'

Rob Gutterridge

Autumn Lewis Spicher

Alumna Autumn Lewis Spicher was recently selected for the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal's "40 under 40," which honors 40 individuals under the age of 40 who were nominated as best in class by their peers in all industries. To those who know Spicher, director of development for the Honors College, the recognition comes as no surprise. 

In the past year, Spicher has tirelessly secured almost half a million dollars in gifts to provide student scholarships and assist with study abroad costs. She has traveled across the country meeting with Honors College alumni and supporters from Washington, D.C., to Denver, to San Francisco.

"Autumn is an Honors College alumna who is poised for professional greatness and inspiring other honors alumni to give back to their alma mater," said Honors College Dean Lynda Coon. Spicher has launched the Honors College Family Giving Society to help parents and family of honors students support the work of the college, as well as the 20/20/20 campaign to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Honors College and engage honors alumni in giving back.

Born and raised in Joplin, Missouri, Spicher was the first in her family to attend college. During her time at the U of A, she was able to "explore every corner" of Japan, thanks to an Honors College study abroad grant, and received a SURF grant to support her honors thesis that analyzed legislator voting patterns when considering preschool funding legislation. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics, summa cum laude, in 2014 and a Master of Arts in public administrationin 2021.

Upon graduation, Spicher headed to Washington, D.C., to work in Sen. Mark Pryor's office — one of many opportunities she credits to her Honors College fellowship. Spicher later served as a development officer and state policy analyst for the National Council on Teacher Quality before returning to Fayetteville to work as assistant director of development for the U of A College of Engineering, where she managed a portfolio of more than 100 donors and prospective donors. Most recently, she was the associate director of placement and operations for the Arkansas Academy for Educational Equity, an organization focused on transforming the way teachers are prepared to lead and serve across the state of Arkansas. 

Spicher will be honored at a luncheon in August in recognition of the award. Visit the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal for more information.