The Office of Student Leadership
The Office of Student Leadership is dedicated to fostering relationships through student organization development, leadership training, and unique experiences. The Office offers a variety of programs for Arkansas Tech students looking to further their leadership development. We have programs for every level of leadership.
Student leaders of the month
The Student Leadership Development Office will honor an undergraduate student each month to recognize the constant contribution and impact that Arkansas Tech University students make every day. Students, Faculty and Staff will be able to nominate those students who consistently make a difference on our campus and in our community. The recipient should also serve as a role model in the ATU community and display exemplary leadership skills.
Oscar Perez
Oscar Perez, Junior from Warren, double-majoring in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. Oscar is President of the Latinx Student Organization, President of the League of United Latin American Citizens, New Member Education Chairman for the Kappa Nu Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Secretary of the Interfraternity Council, Minority Peer Mentor for the Minority Mentorship Program, Student Worker for Campus Life, Member of Rotaract, Member of the Geology Club, and Orientation Leader. A fun fact about Oscar is that he worked as a Counselor for Upward Bound over the Summer!
2025
AUGUST 2025 - BETHANI WALTER
ATU Junior, Bethani Walter from Dardanelle, Arkansas is majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Pre-Law. Bethani is involved in Student Government Association(SGA) and Delta Zeta. A fun fact about Bethani is that she just completed her first triathlon!
aPRIL 2025 - JAELUN THOMAS
ATU Senior , Jaelun Thomas from Bryant, Arkansas, graduating with a Biomedical Biology degree and a minor in Spanish. Jae served as President of SAB, Social Media Coordinator for Campus Life, Student Union & Rec. Center Task Force, a member of both BSA and LSO, and the 2023 ATU Homecoming King. A fun fact, is that he has 6 wisdom teeth, which make him pretty wise!
march 2025 - zachary giese
ATU Senior, Zachary Giese, from Vilonia, Arkansas, majoring in electrical engineering is our student leader for the month of March. Zachary is a part of the ATU Honors Program and President of the IEEE ATU Student Branch. As the president, he oversees a lot of the day-to-day activities of the club and helps with maintaining the team to compete in robotics competitions. They actually just won third place at the IEEE Region 5 Robotics Competition. A fun fact, when Zachary is not doing engineering, he likes to take care of goats! Bonus fun fact: His last name is Giese, so a lot of people in the club just call him Goose.
February 2025 - faith kelly
ATU Sophomore, Faith Kelly, from North Little Rock, AR majoring in Health/Exercise Science. Faith is the Vice President of the Honors Student Council, Parliamentarian of the Black Student Association, a member of Alpha Chi Honors Society, ATU Honors College, and ATU Kinesiology Club. A fun fact is that Faith is a self-taught rhythmic gymnast.
January 2025 - Emily Rickner
ATU Junior, Emily Rickner, from Van Buren, Arkansas, majoring in Elementary Education is our Student Leader for the month of January. Emily is the President of Phi Mu Fraternity, a member of Order of Omega, ATU Honors College, Educators Rising and works as a Housing Ambassador for Residence Life. A fun fact: Enjoys hiking and the coolest place Emily has hiked was Zion National Park.
2024
November 2024 - ELLI WHITE
ATU Senior, Elli White, from Malvern, Arkansas majoring in Journalism. Elli has the honor of serving as President of three on-campus organizations: the Student Government Association, the First-Generation Organization, and the ATU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. She has also been involved with the new student orientation program, the ArkaTech, and serves on various campus committees. One fun fact about Elli is that she loves vintage cars, and she drives one!
October 2024 - DESTINY LORINGS
ATU senior Destiny Lorings, from Little Rock, Arkansas, is majoring in Nursing. As the president of the Black Student Association and an active member of the Student Nurse Association, Destiny is committed to her academic and leadership roles on campus. Her dedication to nursing and passion for supporting her peers reflect her ambition. A fun fact about Destiny is that she is aspiring to become a Nurse Anesthetist, bringing good care to patients in need.
september 2024 - PAYTON MCCAIN
ATU Junior, Payton McCain, is from Ozark, Arkansas, and graduated from Alma High School. She is a Middle-Level Education Social Studies major with a minor in English. Payton is a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. A fun fact about Payton is that she works for the Universal Cheer Association, where she teaches cheer camps and works at cheer competitions.
February 2024 - SAVANNAH LEIGH
ATU Sophomore, Savanah Leigh from Conway, AR. Currently a triple major in psychology, sociology, and anthropology and geography. In her sophomore year but junior by classification. Involvement includes the Student Government Association, Presidential Leadership Cabinet, Alpha Sigma Tau, Pre-Law Society, Behavioral Science Club, Rotaract, and the Emerging Leaders Society, while also holding a student worker position at Norman Career Services. A fun fact about me would be that when I grow up, I want to be an FBI agent!
2023
November 2023 - HAYDEN EASON
ATU Junior, Hayden Eason, is from Centerton, Arkansas. He is an Information Technology with Networking and Security Major. Hayden is the President of the Esports Club, a Student Conduct Board Member, a Community Assistant for Network Gaming at Residence Life, and a Peer Career Advisor at the Career Center. Fun fact about Hayden, he loves concerts and went to 7 this year.
october 2023 - MAGGIE HEMMERT
ATU Senior, Maggie Hemmer. She is a nursing major with a minor in psychology, who currently serves as the Phi Mu Honor Chairwoman. She is currently the Resident Assistant in Caraway for the Phi Mu hall. Maggie is a part of the Student Nurses Association and Camp War Eagle as well. A fun fact about Maggie is that she has a brother that is almost 13 years younger than her and she got to cut his umbilical cord whenever he was born. This started her dream of becoming a labor and delivery nurse.
september 2023 - kaleb starner
ATU Junior, Kayleb Starnes, is from Vandervoot, Arkansas. He is currently double majoring in Psychology and Sociology. During his time on campus, he has taken on the role of Housing Ambassador with Residence Life, been an Orientation Leader for two years, and currently holds the titles of President of the Honors Student Council and Secretary of the Behavioral Sciences Club. Kayleb also invests his time in Victory College Ministry. Lastly, Kaleb's fun fact is that he has a Pilot's license.
The Student Leadership Development Office would like to invite you to nominate students who you believe fit the following qualifications:
- Students in good academic and disciplinary standing
- Exemplifies leadership through personal development, organizational leadership, civic and community engagement
To nominate a student for student leader of the month fill out:
All nominations should be submitted by the last Friday of the month. Nominations are reviewed by staff members who will select winners. Any student not
selected will be kept on file and considered for future months.
Student Leader of the Month Recipients will receive:
- Student Leader of the Month Certificate
- Recognition on the Student Leadership Development Website
- Taco Bell Vouchers
- Opportunity to be in the running for Leader of the Year, awarded at Evening of Excellence
LUNCH WITH A LEADER
Lunch with a Leader is a series of round table discussions that offer students a chance to learn from the experience of seasoned professionals from a variety of different fields as well as an opportunity to engage in conversation about the community as a whole.
Lunch is provided on a first come, first served basis. Click here to learn more.
FRESHMAN LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
The Freshman Leadership Experience is perfect for new students looking for an adventurous way to meet new people and get connected to the Arkansas Tech campus. This retreat allows freshmen to make connections with other Tech students interested in becoming a leader. Students participate in activities that give them the opportunity to make their mark at Arkansas Tech and challenge and empower them to work as a team and identify their strengths as a leader.