Thirteen Arkansas Tech University students went on the educational trip of a lifetime in May.
The 2018 On Track trip participants visited Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, Calif., as part of experiences they earned by completing the On Track program and being selected for the journey through an application and interview process.
The ATU students who made the trip are:
- Maliha Aniqa of Russellville
- Justin Gunderman of Plumerville
- Devin Hester of Bryant
- Caroline Jackson of Russellville
- Dianna Leal of Russellville
- Marcus Majied of Detroit, Mich.
- Brianna Mendoza of Danville
- Zach Paquet of Rogers
- Sydney Secrest of Alma
- Jayson Simmons of Little Rock
- Matthew Smith of Hermitage
- Sydney Stone of Clarksville
- Madison Vigil of Ozark
Kara Johnson, coordinator of leadership and service in the ATU Office of Campus Life, and Hailey Canada, graduate assistant, led the first leg of the tour. Amy Pennington, dean of students, and Dr. Keegan Nichols, vice president for student services, provided additional guidance for the group when they moved on to San Francisco.
While in Washington, D.C., the ATU On Track group visited the National Mall, the White House, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the International Spy Museum and the Georgetown neighborhood.
In addition, ATU alumnus Congressman Steve Womack provided the group with a tour of the U.S. Capitol and ATU alumna Gen. Tamhra Hutchins-Frye of the U.S. Air Force took the group around the Pentagon.
During the second leg of their journey, the ATU On Track participants visited San Francisco landmarks such as Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge. They also attended the Carnaval San Francisco cultural festival and an Oakland Athletics Major League Baseball game.
The group participated in service learning opportunities at St. Anthony’s and All Good Pizza. Other stops in San Francisco included the California Academy of Sciences, Aquarium of the Bay and the Exploratorium.
On Track is defined by the Office of Campus Life as “an undergraduate co-curricular experience designed to enhance student development beyond the classroom setting, encourage students to network socially among peers and to include students in traditional and signature university events.”
Tracks in the program are Active Mind and Body, Advance to Career, Aspiring Leader, Elevated Citizen, Global Focus, Leader Identified and Unite.
Undergraduate students who choose to complete all seven tracks become eligible to apply for an expenses paid trip following the completion of the last track.
In order to be considered for selection for the annual On Track trip, an undergraduate student must also have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5, complete an application and interview process, be chosen by the selection committee and sign a contract confirming their attendance and appropriate behavior for the trip.
According to the On Track web presence, students selected to travel are “exposed to leadership practices, cultural heritage, community service, professional networking and other college and university campuses that are part of the destinations they visit.”
