Lizbeth Hernandez believes students should take advantage of the opportunities they are given. The Nashville, Arkansas, native earned her associate’s degree in general business from Cossatot Community College and transferred to the U of A in spring 2022 to enroll in the Sam M. Walton College of Business as an accounting major. It’s a path she would recommend to others from her hometown as well.

One of the benefits of transferring from Cossatot was her ability to utilize the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship, a scholarship available to U of A System community college graduates who then transfer to the U of A at the same tuition rate as their two-year institution. First launched in 2019, the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship program reached a remarkable milestone in 2023 – offering a total of more than $2.5 million in support to Arkansas students. For Hernandez, this made her decision even easier.

“The transfer scholarship did make a big impact on my decision,” Hernandez says. “The scholarship helped a lot.”

Hernandez was the first in her family to attend college, so while she felt compelled to come to the Hill, the uncertainty of moving to a new place – and a new part of the state – also weighed heavily on her mind.

“It’s difficult as a first-generation student,” she says. “You don’t always know who to reach out to, especially after you move to a new city and out of your hometown.” 

She found her footing thanks, in part, to the team at The CORD: The Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence, the heart of student success initiatives on campus, as well as the scholarship office. 

Hernandez graduated with her degree from the Walton College in December 2023. She now plans to work at Tyson Foods in Springdale, continuing an employment opportunity she secured as an intern during her time as an undergraduate. 

For more student success stories like Lizbeth’s, check out some of our previous #MyPathToSeniorWalkfeatures, such as Nathanael Martin-Nelson, Abby Goldsmith, Markese Mullins, Gerson Fajardo-Bruhl, Angel Williams and others at our #MyPathToSeniorWalk website. If you have a story that you’d like told or know someone who has an inspiring story, please check out our nomination form.