Alumni | Arts and SciencesMay 16, 2025

Outstanding Young Alum Works to Protect Oklahoma Children

Written By: Ian Silvester

Cherokee Blanchard-Hartsell’s hard work, dedication, and leadership earned her the distinction of being honored as an Outstanding Young Alum by the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.

Each year, the university honors a select group of alumni who represent UAFS in their respective communities and daily lives.

Blanchard-Hartsell graduated from UAFS in 2023. A mere two years later, her commitment to embody what it means to be a Lion was recognized by fellow alumni, family, friends, and peers.

The award is given during Homecoming to an alum who is a strong leader in their career field and has distinguished themselves through service to the university, community, state, or nation.

“I’m always proud to see the meaningful impact our alumni are making in their communities,” said Jasmine Smith, director of alumni engagement. “They’re creating change, and I’ve seen firsthand the passion and purpose our graduates bring to the River Valley and beyond.”

Blanchard-Hartsell is a civil servant through and through. She has a decade of experience serving disabled veterans in Fort Smith and a passion for advocating for others. Now, she gives a voice to the most vulnerable – children. 

As a Level 3 child protective services investigator for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, she gives it her all to mend and maintain positive relationships with the families she assists.

“Despite the emotionally and psychologically draining nature of caseloads, she never gives up. She only continues to thrive,” said Eric Miller, who nominated Blanchard-Hartsell for the award.

Of her role in the lives of the children she works with, Blanchard-Hartsell said that they become her entire responsibility and her entire focus. 

“When it comes to working with children, especially in this capacity, you never see them as just one child because at that moment they become your child in a sense,” she said.

It is a personal goal, through her role, to ensure children have a stable home with caregivers who are happy, healthy, and loving, she said, noting that investigators accomplish this by referring families for assistance with substance abuse, mental health, or domestic violence.

Although UAFS presented the award to Blanchard-Hartsell, she thinks things should go the other way. She credits the university for helping her “be in the position of helping children.”

When she first started at UAFS, she was eager to pursue a career in social work. An advisor encouraged her to explore criminal justice, utilizing her social work background to positively impact others on a broader scale.

“Through UAFS, I learned that anyone can make a difference, whether it be making a difference that will affect a large group of people, or one single person, you still made a difference and helped someone,” Blanchard-Hartsell said.

Since graduation, Blanchard-Hartsell earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Oklahoma.

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• Alumni
• Outstanding Young Alum Award