At the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the mission of student recruitment is grounded in inclusivity, connection and purpose. Now leading these efforts are new team members Jason Riley, director of outreach and recruitment, and Hunter Gibson, assistant director of student recruitment.

"We are so excited to have Jason and Hunter join Fulbright College in these essential roles," said Romona West, assistant dean of student success, inclusive excellence and strategic initiatives for the college. "Each is a dedicated professional who brings impressive skills and a shared passion for access and student success to the college."

"We know they'll make an immediate positive impact on our students and our outreach and recruitment efforts," West added. "Their work will help us ensure that Fulbright College remains a vibrant, inclusive community where students can thrive academically, personally and well into their pursuits after graduation."

About Jason Riley

Riley is a proud first-generation college graduate from Little Rock. He holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer science from the University of Central Arkansas and a master's degree in higher education administration from the U of A.

Riley's journey in education began at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, where he most recently served as a senior residential mentor. In this role, he led staff hiring and training while providing comprehensive academic, social and emotional support to students.

He then joined the U of A as an academic outreach specialist, where he guided students through critical transitions, including those from middle to high school and from high school to college. He also worked on retention initiatives and led diversity education workshops to foster an inclusive campus climate.

Riley also spent time in the private sector as an academic adviser and coach at Elsmere Education, gaining insight into creating online student success. Ultimately, his passion for higher education brought him back to the U of A as program manager for the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation's Venture Intern Program, where he expanded the program to unprecedented levels of participation.

Now, as director of outreach and recruitment for Fulbright College, Riley leads the college's strategic efforts to attract and support an array of high-achieving students.

"I'm super excited to take on this new role and partner with others to recruit, grow and graduate students within the college," Riley said.

He said one of his main goals in this new role is to "be a visible, supportive resource for students and their families as they navigate choosing a major and the college journey overall. My hope is that they feel seen, supported and empowered every step of the way."

"Most of all, I'm eager to help students bring their academic vision to life by helping them graduate from the University of Arkansas and, more specifically, from the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences," he said.

About Hunter Gibson

Gibson joined the U of A in October 2024 as coordinator of student recruitment, where he served as the primary point of contact for prospective students interested in the college's 40-plus academic programs. He also hosted campus visits and recruitment events and partnered with the student ambassador team to integrate current student experiences into the recruitment process.

In June 2025, he stepped into the role of assistant director of student recruitment, where he now leads the Fulbright College Student Ambassador team, represents the college at high school and college fairs, and develops targeted strategies to engage prospective students in the fine arts and humanities.

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gibson earned his B.S. in agricultural sciences and natural resources from Oklahoma State University, where he majored in agricultural communications. As an undergraduate, he discovered a passion for supporting students through roles as a college ambassador, orientation leader, peer mentor for first-generation students and campus tour guide.

"Helping students discover their place in Fulbright College — and in higher education more broadly — is deeply personal for me," Gibson said. "As a first-generation college student, I know how transformative these experiences can be. I'm passionate about making sure every student feels seen, supported and inspired from the moment they connect with our team."

"I'm thrilled to step into this new role and continue building meaningful connections with students and their families. Whether they're interested in the arts, humanities, natural sciences or social sciences, Fulbright College offers an academic home where they can explore boldly, think deeply and grow in their purpose," he added.

Gibson said he also views student recruitment as both a way to support individual students and an opportunity to shape the future of the college and the state of Arkansas.

"I believe the students we recruit today will be the driving force of Fulbright College's future," he said. "It's an honor to help connect students with a place where they can grow, lead and make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond."

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Story by Isabella Sotlar, Fulbright College comunications and creative services intern.

This story also appeared in the Fulbright REVIEW publication.