Featured | News | AlumniAugust 09, 2022

London Leads at UAFS

Written By: Rachel Rodemann Putman

This fall, students at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith will work with a slate of rock-star student affairs professionals thanks to a series of strategic hires and promotions in the Student Life Office, beginning with Stephanie London, who will serve as Assistant Dean of Students for Housing and Campus and Community Engagement.

London, who earned her bachelor’s degree from UAFS, has served the university for 15 years and played an integral role in its growth. “This institution has become a part of my family,” she said, “I’ve seen UAFS grow into the university it is today, and I am excited to continue serving the students who choose to become members of our incredible community.”

In the new structure, London will oversee the Office of Campus and Community Engagement, led by Ashley Goodson, an experienced director who has served students and staff for many years in the office of Campus and Community events. Kara Crowley will serve students directly as Student Activities and Civic Engagement Coordinator. Kari Carbajal will serve as Coordinator for Registered Student Organizations providing the support needed for the university’s 100+ student-led organizations.

“I’m excited to work with an amazing team whose overall goal is to see students succeed and to work both creatively and strategically to meet the needs of our student population,” London said. “While we were already part of the same team, this new alignment of responsibilities fits well with our overall mission. I’m excited to work with such a dedicated and talented group of professionals as we collaborate on creating quality, intentional, and fun co-curricular experiences to serve our students holistically.”

“In Housing and Residential Life, we’ll be working to enhance the overall experience for those living on campus, with a focus on building community,” she continued.

This year, more than 750 students are expected to live on campus at UAFS, which could mean a nearly 30% increase in residential students for the campus over last fall. 

Two resident directors, Brian Cook, in Sebastian Commons apartments and Joe England, in the Lion’s Den residence halls, will assist London in advancing campus housing procedures and developing holistic student engagement opportunities. London will also supervise 21 resident assistants and four student desk workers. 

London has held membership in numerous professional associations, including NASPA, a member-centered association of more than 15,000 student affairs professionals from  1,200 institutions across the globe; NACA, the National Association for Campus Activities, the Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers, and ACPA, the College Student Educators International association, which has worked to transform higher education since 1924. She has served as a NACA Education Session Reviewer for both the Central Region Conference and the National Convention, presented at NACA, ACPA, and Heartland Conferences, and written for the Campus Programming Magazine.

London is also a Lucille Speakman Award winner (2019), a two-time Student Organization Advisor of the Year award winner (2014 and 15), current chair of the UAFS Alumni Advisory Council, PEO Chapter DU past-president and PEO Area Council past-president, and Secretary for the Fort Smith Heritage Foundation Board. She also volunteers with Riverview Hope Campus, the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, and the United Way, and completed Leadership Fort Smith in 2015, Citizen’s Fire Academy in 2017, and Citizen’s Police Academy in 2018.

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• RSO
• Student Life
• Student Activities