Life on the University of Arkansas campus is full of fun, passion, and community; but don’t just take our word for it.
We sat down with Namiko Bagirimvano, who serves the U of A as the Assistant Director of International Student Retention, to ask her a few questions about how she perceives campus life. Check out her Q&A below to discover more about what makes our university unique!
Q1: What is your history with the University of Arkansas? In what ways have you experienced campus?
I came to the U of A for my Optional Practical Training in 2009 after completing my graduate program at SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont. I helped Holcombe International Living Learning Community with programming, and I am still grateful for the countless great memories with students. Then, I transitioned to help visiting students and international retention programs within the International Students & Scholars Office. I left the U of A to move to Washington in 2015 for a family reason, but we decided to come back to Fayetteville this year (2021).
Q2: How would you describe life on our campus?
It is a supportive, close-knit community with a wide variety of opportunities. It is a large campus and it can be overwhelming, but you can easily find your comfortable spot because there are so many opportunities and student groups.
Q3: In your experience, what is the best thing about campus life?
Students & committed staff and faculty. At the U of A, I have had a privilege to work with students with various backgrounds, interests, and passions. It is amazing how students grow over the years, show their leadership, and bring positive impacts on other people’s lives on campus and in the Fayetteville community. The campus offers excellent academic programs, research opportunities, numerous cultural & social activities for students’ experiences. Our staff and faculty are ready to support students to be successful.
Q4: In what ways can our campus impact a student’s life?
We, as staff and faculty, try our best to create a safe yet challenging learning environment where students can make mistakes, learn from each other, exchange ideas, think outside of the box, and dream big. Our priority is providing well-rounded experiences for students to become global citizens.
Q5: What makes campus life at the University of Arkansas unique?
“Community” – As a U of A student, you’ll have a community on campus. Also, you’ll be able to enjoy what is happening on campus with members of the Fayetteville community. When athletic games are happening, you’ll feel the support and love not only from the campus community, but also from the people in Fayetteville! (WPS to the basketball team who had reached the Elite Eight recently!).
Fayetteville is growing and changing over the past several years, yet it is still a comfortable size city where you can feel connected to the local culture. It also offers so many beautiful outdoor opportunities and art scenes as well. Northwest Arkansas is also home for many global businesses and your academic experiences will allow you to have a global perspective. Last but not least, Fayetteville is a great place for startup companies, small businesses and non-profit organizations as well and the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will be a great resource for many students who hope to gain that type of experiences as well.
Q6: What advice would you give to those who are looking to be more involved on campus?
Know what makes you happy, what you feel passionate about, and what you want to try, yet don’t limit your experiences. Branch out, think outside of the box and try something new that’s even uncomfortable for you. Network not only with other students, but also staff, faculty and professionals who’d visit the campus. Interacting with folks who have different experiences and perspectives will always help you grow as a student and individual. If you already have skills and experiences, consider being a mentor for other students.
