New, Returning RAs Ready to Welcome UAFS Students

Written By: Ian Silvester

Students will be moving into their residence halls and on-campus apartments at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith on Wednesday, Aug. 12, and Friday, Aug. 14. There to welcome students to their assigned floor at the Lion’s Den Residence Hall or Sebastian Commons Apartments, is a team of resident assistants, or RAs. 

RAs are a student’s resource from the moment they arrive at UAFS to help with the transition to their home away from home. From serving as a resource for campus information to hosting floor events to make living on campus as a first-year student in Lion’s Den North or South, or as an upper-class, non-traditional, or married student in Sebastian Commons, a safe and thriving community for all. 

Meet your RA:

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Lion’s Den Head RA, Milan Baker 

Milan is a junior early childhood education major from Jacksonville, AR. Milan loves to read, write, junk journal, and embroider. Milan was inspired to be an RA because of a love for campus life and student involvement. Milan can’t wait to share some favorite study spots that aren’t in the library. 

 

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Lion’s Den RA, Mahalya Ahmadou 

Mahalya is a junior from Fort Smith studying business administration. She was inspired to be an RA because of the community of resident life. Mahalya said that as an RA, she loves to make a difference and make campus life feel like home for her residents. Her favorite thing about UAFS are the people. She said every member of the staff gives 120% of their all to bring the campus to life for the students who call UAFS home and to further their studies. In her free time, Mahalya is watching movies, crafting, listening to music, singing, or playing video games. 

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Lion’s Den RA, Vinny Andrews 

Vinny is a media communication sophomore from Fort Smith who loves to play video games. He is a resident’s go-to for sharing all the resources and facilities available for students at UAFS, including his favorites, the Writing Center or Academic Success Center tutors. Vinny said he is an RA because of the impression his RA made during his first year. 

 

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Lion’s Den RA, Riplee Breeden 

Riplee is a junior media communication student from Salina, Okla. She can’t wait to encourage her residents to go to as many events as possible, especially ones with dancing. She’ll be one of the first on the dance floor, ready to teach others how to footloose, wobble, or another line dance. Riplee likes to listen to music and play video games. She was inspired to be an RA because of her desire to help students feel comfortable and find their place at UAFS.

 

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Lion’s Den RA, Brandon Chavez Escalante 

Brandon is a senior psychology major, all the way from Woodbridge, Virgina. Residents can find him playing guitar, fishing, playing video games, dancing, or eating carne asada – his favorite. Brandon is looking forward to being a resource for his first-generation and incoming students. He wants to show them that college is an opportunity to grow, step outside of their comfort zone, and become the person they are meant to be. Brandon said the best way to do that is to join or attend a culture club on campus. With so many students of different cultures, he said there is no shortage of people with unique backgrounds and experiences to meet.

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Lion’s Den RA, Bethany Jones-Benjamin 

Bethany is an accounting senior from Fort Smith. She was inspired to be an RA because some of her closest friends are or were RAs. Through her friends, Bethany got to see the ins and outs of the position that make it fun. Did you know about the comfy chairs at the back of the first floor in the Boreham Library? If not, she highly recommends them as a great place to relax after a long study session. You can also ask to join a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with her. 

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Lion’s Den RA, Diana Martinez 

Diana is a senior from Searcy, studying social work. She said students shouldn’t sleep on the breakfast at UAFS. Plus, students can find support all over campus. Diana wanted to become an RA to help residents and be somebody they can talk to. She wants to be another support for students and help make their school year a positive experience. In her free time, Diana is either thrifting, playing on her iPad, or spending time with her family, just hanging out or traveling. 

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Lion’s Den RA, Abby Masters 

Abby is a sophomore nursing student from Heavener, Okla. She loves to read and bake to unwind from classes. Abby was inspired to be an RA because of her love of experiencing new situations. Since coming to UAFS and becoming an RA, the housing community has been her home and family.

 

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Lion’s Den RA, Sarah Miller 

Sarah is from Pangbum and is a sophomore nursing major. She understands that college is a big transition and is excited to make a positive impact on her residents’ experiences, through community building where they all feel welcomed, supported, and comfortable. While at UAFS, Sarah has felt a strong sense of support from everyone which made her own transition to college easier. During her free time, Sarah likes to read, bake, and hike. 

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Lion’s Den RA, Lesly Najera 

Lesly is a senior sonography major from Summers, and enjoys spending time outside, trying new foods, playing pickleball, and being with her dogs. After seeing how much she could rely on her RA during her first year, as well as other RAs, Lesly made the decision to be someone who help other first year students. One of her favorite spots on campus is the koi pond next to Dr. Riley’s office. She said it’s a quiet place to sit and relax after a long study session at Boreham Library. 

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Lion’s Den RA, Andrea Ramirez 

Andrea is a junior from Clarksville studying social work. She loves that UAFS offers many ways for students to get involved in new activities and said everyone on campus is helpful. She hopes to help guide incoming students as they navigate their transition to college because it can be a hard and nerve-racking process, she said. In her spare time, Andrea is watching movies, hanging out with her friends, or playing soccer. 

 

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Lion’s Den RA, Eli Solomon 

Eli is a media communication junior from Poteau, Okla. When he’s not watching movies, hiking, playing video games, swimming, writing, or spending time with friends and family, Eli is looking for new ways to get involved at UAFS. He said because of the community and number of events on campus, it’s easy to find something new. 

 

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Lion’s Den RA, Michael Turner 

Michael is a sophomore English with teacher licensure student from Greenwood. He decided to become an RA through friends who were RAs and thought he’d be a good fit. When he’s not reading or drawing, ask him about his favorite movies to stream through Residence Life Cinema, or about the quickest way to get to different spots on campus. 

 

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Lion’s Den RA, Oyuki Valdez 

Oyuki is a computer science sophomore from Howe, Okla. She likes to challenge herself to speed type on her laptop for fun. Oyuki was inspired to be an RA because of the communication between students. She’d be happy to share her favorite hidden nooks and seating areas around campus. 

 

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Sebastian Commons Head RA, Kiera Eppler 

Kiera is a senior from Sallisaw, Okla., studying media communication. She loves the beautiful scenery of UAFS, from the iconic Bell Tower to the lush green trees and amazing sunsets behind Sebastian Commons. She said campus is a peaceful place students need while embarking on their college journey. After her first year living in the Lion’s Den, Kiera was inspired to be an RA thanks for the welcoming and comfortable atmosphere her RA created, and she strives to do the same for her residents. In her spare time, Kiera teaches dance classes at Spark Dance Studio and plays with her corgi, Maverick. 

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Sebastian Commons RA, Kaelyn Goehman 

Kaelyn is a junior graphic design major from Perryville, Mo. When she’s not painting, she is taking her cat, Chloe, on walks. Kaelyn loves to visit the koi pond next to Dr. Riley’s office in the Fullerton Building where she can sit and read on a shaded bench – she said it’s a spot on campus that not many students know is there. She was inspired to be an RA to be the older sister she wished she had when she started college. Kaelyn plans to use that motivation to advise her residents and help others navigate their way around UAFS. 

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Sebastian Commons RA, Izzy Hatley 

Izzy is a junior from Dyer, studying English. He is currently reading his way through Sherlock Holmes. However, he said it’s no mystery that UAFS has an amazing community and opportunities it offers to students. 

 

 

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Sebastian Commons RA, Emily Hatley 

Emily is a senior business administration major from Alma. She enjoys playing pickleball, working on puzzles, traveling, and watching Big Brother with friends. Emily is excited to be more involved on campus this year and enjoys when an organization hosts an open mic night. 

 

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Sebastian Commons RA, Finch Jones 

Finch is a graphic design student from Tahlequah, Okla. They were inspired to be an RA to help others. Finch said their favorite thing about UAFS is that it is a special place where students can surround themselves with unique shared experiences. In their free time, they like to bird watch, go thrifting, or go to the creek. 

 

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Sebastian Commons RA, Ailey Ledesma 

Ailey is a social work junior from Waldron, who loves to watch movies, cook, and bake. She is excited to be more involved on campus and develop her leadership skills this year. Ailey said one of her favorite things about UAFS is that there is something to do on campus almost any night of the week. 

 

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Sebastian Commons RA, Jaydy Najera 

Jaydy is a sophomore nursing major from Summers. With many different clubs, organizations, and communities, she said there is something for everyone at UAFS and that this campus is an easy place to find where a student belongs. With so many people and options at UAFS, Jaydy said all it takes is one person to make a positive impact on anyone’s college experience. For her, being an RA is her way to provide that positivity by being a conduit for students to connect, supporting them through challenges, and helping guide them in the right direction. Jaydy loves to bake and hang out with her friends.

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Sebastian Commons RA, Claudia Simen

Claudia is a junior biology major from Paris, France. She is an excellent resource to help students find different events on campus to meet others and grab some free food. She was inspired to be an RA to help make others feel included through events and building a community. Claudia likes to bake and listen to music. 

• Tags:
• Sebastian Commons
• Lion's Den
• On Campus Housing
• Housing and Residential Life