Arkansas Tech University has earned national recognition for its efforts to promote student safety, well-being and inclusion.
Vector Solutions has bestowed the 2021 Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention upon ATU. The recognition is provided to select institutions that have utilized comprehensive, evidence-based digital prevention education on issues such as sexual assault, alcohol misuse, mental health and discrimination with a goal of creating a safer, more inclusive learning and working environment.
Of the more than 1,000 campuses across the United States that were considered for the Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention for 2021, less than 15 percent were selected.
“This honor is a direct result of our commitment as a university community — students, faculty and staff — to create a safe, positive, caring culture that promotes student access and student success,” said Dr. Keegan Nichols, ATU vice president for student affairs. “I express my appreciation to the members of the ATU Division of Student Affairs staff for their leadership in this realm and to each individual who has invested time in our educational prevention initiatives. Together, we are enhancing the safe learning and working environment at Arkansas Tech.”
According to Vector Solutions, the CPN Seal of Prevention establishes guidelines for discerning quality online prevention education and implementation practices. The program holds true that prevention is central to key institutional outcomes, including recruitment, student success, retention and advancement.
“We are excited to name Arkansas Tech University as a 2021 recipient of the CPN Seal of Prevention,” said Marc Scheipe, chief executive officer for Vector Solutions. “Arkansas Tech has demonstrated a true commitment to students by investing in both their academic success inside the classroom as well as their well-being and experiences outside the classroom. We are proud to recognize ATU for its exemplary work helping to make college and university communities safer and more inclusive.”
ATU’s student safety, well-being and inclusion initiatives are included as part of its Jerry Cares program.
Created by the ATU Division of Student Affairs in fall 2014 to facilitate a safe and welcoming learning and working environment for members of the university community, Jerry Cares programming throughout the academic year and on the Jerry Cares website includes information about alcohol and drug abuse prevention, sexual violence prevention, suicide prevention and hazing prevention.
The program is named for Jerry the Bulldog, campus ambassador at ATU.
Learn more about Jerry Cares at www.atu.edu/jerrycares.
