Forty-two incoming freshmen at Arkansas Tech University participated in the Tech’s Next: Early Arrival Program (EAP) prior to the beginning of the fall 2019 semester.
The initiative, which is in its second year, is an intentional effort to increase retention rates, graduation rates and career readiness among African American students at ATU. Participation in the program increased by 147 percent from year one to year two.
Participants in EAP 2019 arrived on Monday, Aug. 12, and engaged in programming designed to prepare them for success at ATU through Friday, Aug. 16.
“Through the mentorship of the ATU Black Faculty and Staff Organization, our hope is that our students learn about strategies and resources for academic success, classroom etiquette, financial responsibility and career readiness, while developing professional and leadership skills,” said Dr. Tennille Lasker-Scott, assistant professor of professional studies at ATU.
Lasker-Scott serves as the ATU EAP program coordinator. She was assisted in the facilitation of the full program by ATU colleagues Dr. Danielle Brooks, assistant dean for diversity and inclusion; Deidra Dillard, admissions officer; Jamison Hall, associate registrar; Dr. Justin Killingsworth, associate professor of agricultural education and interim head of the ATU Department of Agriculture; Nikki Templeton, counselor in the ATU Division of Student Affairs; and Colette Tobias, assistant dean for residence life.
The ATU Office of Student Success provides funding for the program. Lasker-Scott pointed to Dr. Jason Warnick, professor of psychology and director of distinguished scholarships at ATU, as one of EAP’s most important advocates.
Other ATU faculty and staff who taught EAP sessions in their area of expertise included:
- Rodrigo Campos, Office of Student Accounts
- Amanda Johnson and Melanie Diffey, Norman Career Services
- Kara Johnson and Chelsea Lairamore, Department of Campus Life
- Ashlee Leavell, Office of Disability Services
- Ashlyn Lee and Paula Reed, Office of Financial Aid
- Sherry Tinerella, Ross Pendegraft Library and Technology Center
- Scott Tomlin, Roy and Christine Sturgis Academic Advising
- Tammy Weaver, Office of the Registrar
- Kyle Wewers, Health and Wellness Center
Student participants in the 2019 ATU Early Arrival Program were:
- Larissa Allen
- Tyquerious Barbee
- Olivia Battles
- Jacob Bond
- Jordan Buckner
- Nicholas Burd
- Kyja Chatman
- Nicholas Coleman
- Calvin Collins
- Angel Crawford
- LynDaija DeHorney
- Ga’Aiylon Finley
- Tazz Gaskin
- Kenneth Gray
- Brandyn Hale
- Kristin Hardy
- Jasmin Harris
- Terrence Hollimon
- Ashanti Hunter
- Jermaine Jackson
- Zariah Jackson
- Baylee Jenkins
- Leslie Johnson
- Keaundra Jones
- Zontray Kendall
- Emmanuel Lyons
- Taylor Mackey
- Shatavia McDonald
- Grant McKisick
- Kiara Miller
- Tiye Payne
- Cordarion Pollard
- Cynsere Ryan
- Amaan Scott
- Kayla Shepard
- Aundreah Spiller
- Kion Summons
- Jarquez Washington
- Sheranda White
- Heaven Wilbert
- Samyia Williams
- Marquenis Wortham
The African American student population at ATU has increased by 84 percent over the past 10 years, moving from 413 students in fall 2009 to 761 students in fall 2018. Overall, almost a quarter of Arkansas Tech’s 12,101 students in fall 2018 self-identified as coming from diverse backgrounds.
“Being someone who came from a predominantly white elementary, middle, junior high and high school, I can vouch for the fact that you never truly get used to being a minority,” said Zariah Jackson, an ATU freshman from Fayetteville. “You feel as if any little thing you do can be used as justification for some stereotype. I’ve never felt included or like I can be myself, but (the ATU Early Arrival Program) has made me feel the opposite way. This is the most social I have ever been. Thanks to this program, I made real friends and not only had fun, but gained a lot of new, healthy knowledge.”
