The Honors College recognized six university staff members who have provided outstanding support to Honors College students, faculty and staff last night at a reception in Gearhart Hall. Preston Anderson, Billy Blount, K. Denise Buford, Genardo Camarillo, Melissa Flores and Katy Nelson-Ginder were each named Honors College Staff of the Year and presented with a $500 award.
The Honors College began presenting the awards and hosting the reception nine years ago to recognize staff members who go the extra mile to help their students succeed and to document the honors experience on campus and beyond.
"The 2026 Honors College staff awardees bring to their work an impressive combination of professionalism, efficiency and empathy," said Lynda Coon, dean of the Honors College. "They collectively transform the lives of our students while they are on campus, preparing them to forge new paths after graduation. Employees like these make the U of A thrive on a daily basis."
Winners of the 2026 Honors College Staff of the Year Award include:
Preston Anderson, financial aid analyst, Office of Financial Aid and Academic Scholarships, Enrollment Services
Anderson has built a strong working relationship with the Honors College through ongoing collaboration on financial aid and cost-of-attendance questions.
Anderson works closely with Guadalupe Rodriguez, scholarship coordinator; Kelly Carter, fellowship financial manager; and Chelsea Hodge, director of grants and research innovation. He provides guidance in accordance with federal, state and university policies and helps students maximize the fellowship and grant funding available to them through the Honors College.
Billy Blount, director for administrative services, University Housing, Division of Student Affairs
Blount works with assistant dean Xochitl Delgado-Solorzano on initiatives connected to the Path Program, helping increase college access and support students as they navigate their first year on campus. His assignments team assists more than 1,000 new first-year students each year with the contracting, roommate and room selection processes. Blount and associate dean Noah Pittman also frequently partner with the Office of Admissions at recruitment events to help recruit the next generation of Razorbacks.
Denise Burford, associate director for academic scholarships and financial aid, Academic Scholarship Office
Burford began working with the Honors College after moving from federal aid counseling to a position in the same suite under the Academic Scholarship Office. She worked closely with Noah Pittman on the scholarship and fellowship application process for incoming freshmen and supported a range of prospective and current student events. As associate director, she is less frequently involved in individual student cases but remains a trusted resource for Honors staff, assisting with complex financial aid issues, referred students and parents, and financial need assessments for prospective Path Program students.
Genaro Camarillo, academic outreach specialist, College Access Initiative, Division of Student Affairs
Camarillo works closely with the Path Program, promoting the opportunity at high school college fairs and sharing information about the benefits of joining the cohort. The College Access Initiative, the Path Program and the Multicultural Center partner to provide coordinated support for students.
He also helps bring students to campus through summer programs hosted by the College Access Initiative, where participants are introduced to the Path Program. Some are later selected to join the program and enroll at the U of A. Many return during the summer to work with the College Access Initiative and serve as ambassadors for the Multicultural Center, creating a meaningful cycle of mentorship and support.
Melissa Flores, case manager, UA Cares, Office of the Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs
Flores' work with the Honors College began through monthly campus retention and student success meetings, where, as a new staff member, she quickly found a sense of community.
Flores collaborates with Delgado-Solorzano, assistant dean and director of the Path program, and Megan Hull, director of curricular planning and student engagement, strengthening the connection between UA Cares and the Honors College. The partnership helps ensure students receive comprehensive support across campus and reassures faculty and staff that coordinated care is in place.
Katy Nelson-Ginder, national director of philanthropy for the Western Region, University Advancement
Nelson-Ginder is a firm believer that fundraising is a team sport and brings energy and enthusiasm to identifying new donor prospects and connecting them with the dean, faculty and students.
Nelson-Ginder works closely with Missy Kincaid, Honors College director of development, to craft strategies that engage both new and current donors in support of the college's mission.
Since joining the university in 2007, her commitment to student success has helped expand global opportunities for Honors students. She has secured funding for interdisciplinary study abroad programs in Belize, Mozambique and Ghana, creating transformative academic experiences. She also supports the college's leadership and outreach efforts by recommending high-achieving Honors alumni for the Dean's Advisory Board and connecting Honors parents with college leadership, helping ensure a strong and forward-looking network of support.
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Contacts
Shelby Gill, director of communications
Honors College
479-575-2024, segill@uark.edu