Arkansas Tech University junior Malik Oliver has been selected for a fellowship designed to create opportunities for individuals from historically underrepresented populations to pursue careers in higher education student affairs.
The program was initiated by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) during the 1989-90 academic year. It is named the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP).
Malik Oliver was nominated for this honor by Dr. MarTeze Hammonds, associate dean for Diversity and Inclusion at Arkansas Tech.
As a NUFP Fellow, Oliver will receive on-campus mentorship, access to special programming at the NASPA annual conference, invitations to apply for paid summer internships and a chance to attend a leadership institute hosted by NASPA.
Oliver, a hospitality Administration major with emphasis in event management and Tourism from Russellville, Arkansas. In addition to his coursework, he serves as president of United Voices of Praise and historian for the Nu Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
“I plan to purse this fellowship because it’s only preparing me and helping me gain the knowledge needed to make me a better leader in not just the student affairs area but as a human in life,” said Oliver. “I just want to be a beacon of light and hope to all the students outside of college and in college. I was once there where someone had to encourage me, and it was someone higher up who pushed me to be greater. I want to be able to give that same energy and love back.”
