Anthony DiNicola, coordinator of Cultural Communities in the Multicultural Center and a graduate student in counseling, and Allan Hatch, a doctoral student in economics, were named to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal's "40 Under 40" class for 2023, recognizing outstanding professionals in the NWA area.  

Anthony DiNicola 

DiNicola joined the U of A as an inclusion liaison in 2020 and became the university's first coordinator of Cultural Communities in 2021. His work involves supporting members of underrepresented communities and creating bridges between those groups and others on campus. 

"It changes every day, which is wonderful because that fits my personality," DiNicola said. "A student may come into my office to talk about something they are going through or a student group may need funding to host an event — and then I may have an opportunity to give a presentation to a campus group that wants to be supportive of LGBTQ+ students." 

In spring 2021, Chancellor Charles Robinson — then serving as provost — asked DiNicola to co-chair a new Belonging Initiative with Lori Lander, associate dean of students and vice chancellor for Campus Life. The initiative is intended to strengthen students' sense of community and the university's culture of belonging. It has led to a campus study and the creation of a Belonging Framework that offers ways students, faculty and staff can help cultivate belonging. 

"Belonging is at the heart of our 150 Forward efforts to advance student success and enhance the university's status as an employer of choice, so Anthony's work on the Belonging Initiative has been essential," Robinson said. "Anthony is an asset to the university, and it's great to see him honored in this year's '40 Under 40' list." 

Prior to joining the U of A, the Boston native worked as an actor and traveled the country with Chicago's Catharsis Productions, offering education and training on sexual assault prevention, sexual harassment prevention and other topics related to inclusive community building. His ability to address difficult subjects in a dynamic, caring way has made him a popular speaker on campus and in the surrounding community. But DiNicola is not resting on his laurels. In January, he enrolled in the university's Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling program. 

"I've spent years talking about community and drawing from lived experience, but I did not have the language to speak about those things at the neurological level," DiNicola said. "My coursework is preparing me to address students' individual mental health needs alongside their need for community and belonging." 

Allan Hatch

Hatch came to the U of A after earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Arkansas Little Rock. At the U of A, his research focuses on the socioeconomic impacts of removing standardized testing for college admissions and how they may affect college enrollment demographics. He said he hopes to find employment in either academia or corporate work after graduation.  

Hatch has served in numerous leadership positions at the university during his time as a graduate student, including president of the Black Graduate Student Association, which won the Office of Student Activities Registered Student Organization of the Year and DISC Diversity and Inclusion Awards under his leadership. He has also collaborated with the Multicultural Center, the Office of Admissions and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to bring 100 high school students to campus last spring, in addition to help coordinate an event to recognize the legacy of Silas Hunt. He also worked with the past GPSC president and other student leaders to create the Graduate Grocery Giveaway that provided food to more than 1,000 graduate students.  

For his work, he has won a slew of awards, including the Graduate and Professional Student Congress Campus Leadership Award and twice receiving the Dr. Barbara A. Lofton Office of Diversity and Inclusion Summer Research Grant Award.  

"I prefer to stay out the limelight generally, but I do appreciate being recognized," he said. "I'm also grateful to the school for providing a platform and the resources that enable grad students like myself to succeed." 

During his time in the Black Graduate Student Organization, Hatch also worked closely with Robinson, who Hatch said has been a "constant advocate and supporter" of the organization.  

"We are a diverse group of graduate students that strive to increase retention and recruitment of minorities on campus. He has made the time to listen to our goals and concerns and has attended or spoken at several events," he said. "I truly appreciate his efforts as the students' chancellor." 

"Allan is an outstanding leader who deserves praise for his contributions to the University of Arkansas and the surrounding community," Robinson said. "I am thrilled to see the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal recognize both his work to this point and his bright future. The best is yet to come for Allan."