As the weather warms and the flowers bloom, graduation season has begun to come into view for many U of A students. Senior Jordan Lackey is among those students that has had a chance to reflect on her time at the U of A as she prepares to walk across the stage and receive her degree.

Lackey, originally from Brenham, Texas, was first introduced to the U of A through the EMPOWER program, a four-year, non-degree college experience program for students with cognitive disabilities and other challenges.

While in the program, she also enrolled in online community college courses and was determined for more.  

Lackey completed the EMPOWER curriculum and transferred to the U of A full-time thanks to the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship. She ended up enrolling in the Human Development and Family Sciences program in the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, which she’ll earn her degree from at the end of the semester.

“I want to work in hospitals with children, or non-profits, like Ronald McDonald House,” which she has volunteered at since 2023. She also interned with the Boys and Girls Club and, more recently, has been volunteering with the Children’s Hospital in Springdale.  

Lackey says she chose the U of A because of the beautiful scenery in Northwest Arkansas, and that “there’s lots to do outdoors,” mentioning the Fayetteville Farmers Market, hiking and attending Razorback games as some of her favorite activities.

“I like to be active and hang out with friends,” she says. And she made many friends through faith-based campus organizations like Young Life and Chi Alpha.

When asked what she would say to someone thinking about coming to the U of A, she says, “Take the chance! It's a great place to grow academically and personally.”

“Wooo pig sooie!”

For more student success stories like Jordan's, check out some of our previous #MyPathToSeniorWalk features: Erick Soto, Kennedy Hicks, Rachell Sanchez-Smith, Gary Jackson, Ismael Salgado, Angel Williams, Michaela Parks, Mishek Musa, Kathryn Richardson and others at our #MyPathToSeniorWalk website. If you'd like to be featured in the #MyPathToSeniorWalk series, please fill out the nomination form.