Student Life Archives - ��vlog��

New Residence Hall Dedication set for Oct. 18

Larry Isch — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:44:51 +0000

��vlog�� will hold a dedication ceremony for its New Student Residence Hall at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, as part of the University’s 2025 Homecoming.

The public is invited to the ceremony and there will be student-led tours of the new four-story, $27 million residence hall.

Construction began in January of 2024 on the 250-bed, 64,000-square-foot residence hall, one of the largest capital construction projects in the University history. The residence hall was completed in July and freshmen and first-year transfer students moved into the facility for the first time in August.

The new residence hall is divided into 10 housing communities and includes both single and double-occupancy rooms as well as a community kitchen on the first floor. There are common/collaborative areas on each floor where students are able to gather and socialize with one another. The two common areas on the first and second floors also serve as shelter-in-place areas.

Other features of the new hall include an elevator, study rooms, a gaming lounge, laundry rooms, a residential staff office, and a professional staff apartment.

Kinco Constructors, LLC out of Springdale, Ark., was the project’s construction company and Credo Design Architects was the architectural firm.

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Office of Student Life Announces Promotions

Larry Isch — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 13:53:20 +0000

Nichole Sherman has been promoted to dean of students and Jimmy Phillips will advance to associate dean of students/director of residential life, ��vlog�� officials announced this week.

Sherman’s promotion becomes effective May 1, 2024, and Phillips’ promotion begins on July 1, 2024.

Sherman, who has served as director of student engagement at Ozarks since June 2022, will replace Terri Thomas as dean of students. Thomas announced her resignation earlier this month to pursue other opportunities.

Phillips has served as director of residential life since June of 2023.

“The relationship with individuals in Office of Student Life is a vital piece of the student experience at Ozarks,” said Dody Pelts, vice president for student success. “I am pleased and excited to announce promotions within our student life team. Nichole is a valued member of the Ozarks community who has led student engagement efforts with dedication, energy, and strong decision making skills. Her experience and connection with students, along with her commitment to creating an atmosphere that supports Ozarks’ retention and graduation efforts will help her to lead the student life team as the new dean of students. Jimmy’s leadership in the role of director of residential life has resulted in improvements to many areas of Ozarks’ residential experience. His experience in higher education and his strong background in student development contribute to his ability to expand his role within the student life team as associate dean of students/director of residential life.”

“We wish Terri much success as she builds upon her passion for helping others in her new adventure,” Pelts said.

Sherman most recently served as the area coordinator for the residential apartment facilities at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, before joining Ozarks in 2022. She was born and raised in Texarkana, Texas, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Centenary and a master’s degree in student development and leadership from Angelo State University in Texas. She and her husband, Justin, have two daughters, Harper and Riley, and a son, Jack.

Before joining Ozarks, Phillips served as the area coordinator at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. A native of the Chicago suburbs, he earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and elementary education from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., before earning a master’s degree in higher education administration from Lee.

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Construction Begins on New $27M Residence Hall

Larry Isch — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:33:49 +0000

��vlog�� has begun construction this month on a new $27 million, four-story residence hall, one of the largest capital construction projects in the University’s 190-year history.

The 250-bed residence hall will be located on the east side of College Avenue, just north and adjacent to MacLean Hall. It is expected to be completed for the start of the 2025 Fall Semester.

The University’s Board of Trustees voted to approve the project earlier this month. The University will fund the project with a tax-exempt bonds issuance for $24 million from Crews and Associates and a $3 million loan from the Pearl M. and Julia J. Harmon Foundation.

“The construction of our new residence hall exemplifies the unwavering commitment of our University to the success and well-being of our students,” said Gloria Arcia, Ed.D., executive vice president and chief financial officer. “This project not only enhances campus life but also signifies a significant stride towards realizing our broader vision outlined in the campus master plan — fostering an environment where students can thrive and reach their fullest potential.”

The 64,000-square-foot residence hall eclipses the size of the previous largest residence hall on campus, the 47,000-square-foot MacLean Hall, completed in 1927. The new hall will primarily house first-year students and replace two aging residence halls, Smith (1964) and King (1971) halls.

The new residence hall will be divided into 10 housing communities and will include both single and double-occupancy rooms as well as a community kitchen on the first floor. There will be common/collaborative areas on each floor where students will be able to gather and socialize with one another. The two common areas on the first and second floors will also serve as shelter-in-place areas.

Other features of the new hall include an elevator, study rooms, a gaming lounge, laundry rooms, a residential staff office, and a professional staff apartment.

“My colleagues and I are incredibly excited about the construction of a new home for Ozarks’ future freshmen,” said Dody Pelts, vice president for student success. “The residential experience provides one of the most impactful learning opportunities in higher education. This design will encourage students to create lasting friendships, learn personal responsibility, and cultivate independence while living in a safe, inclusive environment. We are thrilled to be able to offer modernized accommodations for our students and can’t wait to welcome them into the Ozarks community.”

The name of the new residence hall will be determined at a later date. Kinco Constructors, LLC out of Springdale, Ark., is the project’s construction company and Credo Design Architects is the architectural firm.

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Phillips Named Director of Residential Life

Larry Isch — Tue, 09 May 2023 14:57:19 +0000

James “Jimmy” Phillips will join ��vlog�� this summer as the new director of residential life.

Phillips, whose first day at Ozarks will be June 20, 2023, will be responsible for “managing the administrative, programmatic, and supervisory tasks associated with creating a vibrant residential life program.”

Phillips most recently served as the area coordinator at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., where he trained and managed a team of 12 professional staff.

“I’m really looking forward to coming aboard,” Phillips said. “Residential life has been my work for the past decade, and I cannot wait to jump in at Ozarks and start doing the work I love.”

A native of the Chicago suburbs, Phillips earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and elementary education from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., before earning a master’s degree in higher education administration from Lee.

Phillips has also served as a teaching and editing assistant at Pennsylvania State University as well as the resident director at Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

Outside of work, Phillips enjoys playing and watching tennis.

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Entrepreneurship Club Making a Campus Impact

Larry Isch — Mon, 01 May 2023 14:25:11 +0000

Established less than three years ago, the ��vlog��’ student-led Entrepreneurship Club is already making a big impact on campus.

The club recently was named “Organization of the Year” during the Leadership Banquet hosted by Student Engagement last week. The organization also won “Best All-Campus Event of the Year” and Vice President Carlissa Colebrook was named “Officer of the Year.”

The club is comprised of members, President Gustavo Alejandro Lugo Medrano, a sophomore from Diriamba, Nicaragua; Colebrook, a senior from Nassau, The Bahamas; Secretary Diana Jyham Fernandez, a junior from Guaimaca, Honduras; Treasurer Alexandra Melgar, a sophomore from Panama City, Panama; and Program Director Nataly Paulina Vindas Calderón, a freshman from Sabalito, Costa Rica. The advisor is Dr. Christine Scott, associate professor of business.

Alumnus Devis Garces, who established the Entrepreneurship Club in 2020, returned to campus for the Leadership Banquet and was able to celebrate the club’s success with its current members.

The club’s mission statement reads, “We aim to be a diverse student-led club with passionate people about entrepreneurship and with a strong desire to undertake projects. We create activities to empower all our members with the set of strategies and procedures that helps them start their business.”

Vindas Calderón said the primary objective of the Entrepreneurship Club is to “cultivate a dynamic and supportive environment that nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset and fosters a sense of community among our members. By empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their innovative ideas and ventures, this club aims to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to transform their visions into successful startups.”

The club hosted several events throughout the year, including a speaker series that was named the best all-campus event of the year at the banquet. The series brought in such speakers as alumna Falon Brueckner, owner of Shine Yoga Studio, and Esperanza Massana, director of the Arkansas Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Division and a former Walton Scholar. Also taking part in the series were Jeff Amerine, founder of Startup Junkie Consulting, and Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

“By being part of the E-Club, members can gain skills and knowledge and have access to network opportunities that will help them to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors,” Vindas Calderón. “Through the community, networking opportunities, and resources offered by the organization, members can develop a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship and gain practical experience in applying these skills in real-world situations. All students, regardless of the major they are studying, can find helpful our activities if they are interested in entrepreneurship.”

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Alumni Board Donates Hygiene Products for Students

Larry Isch — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 18:59:05 +0000

(Photo: U of O students Marck Berotte and Hannah Smith display some of the more than $700 worth of personal hygiene products that were donated to the campus food pantry recently by the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.)

The ��vlog��’ Alumni Association Board of Directors recently donated more than $700 worth of personal hygiene items for U of O students.

The 31-member board coordinated the donation efforts during its annual summer board meeting, held July 16 on campus. The items will be distributed to students in need during the upcoming academic year through the University’s campus food pantry.

The items included, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, lotion and feminine products.

“Incoming and returning alumni board of directors had a chance to give back to the students at U of O and help fill the pantry,” said Shannon Huggins ’91 of Arlington, TX, president of the Alumni Association Board. “Knowing that the students’ focus should be on taking the next steps to achieving their goals instead of taking steps to find necessities for everyday living, such as hygiene products, the board was delighted to help make this possible with a record load of products to donate.”

Huggins said the board considered several options to help students before deciding on hygiene products.

“Knowing that the student population is growing more diverse, thoughtful steps were taken to provide a wider range of products,” she said. “It is always a great way for the alumni, young and old, to remember that to put your best foot forward, you have to feel your best. It can begin with something so simple like your daily morning routine.”

The July board meeting was the first one for five new members of the board: Torie Parsons ’09 of Dallas, TX; Alexander Chandler ’12 of Conway, AR; Thomas Ross ’18 of Dallas; Jeremy Provence ’12 of Muscle Shoals, AL; and George Pittenger ’91 of Cleburne, TX.

Other board members include, Brittany Brantley ’13, Corey Pintado ’15, Cori A. Dyson ’97, Cyleste Coppage ’97, Daniel Sigala ’02, Daniel Valencia ’17, David W. Morris ’83, Elizabeth Allcon ’91, Emily Towe ’12, Evan Castleberry ’17, Fernando Galindo ’96, Irene Gillespie ’70, Jacobi Crisler ’06, Jennifer Fisher ’93, Lisa Gruben-Inness ’93, Loscar Mejia ’01, Meredith James ’93, Naomi Lee ’85, Paulette Freeman ’80, DeeDee Autry ’87, Sam Ballard ’09, Scarlet Morris ’86, Shannon Huggins ’91, Sonia Gonzalez ’00, Taylor Jacks ’12 and George Lee ’85.

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Sherman Named Director of Student Engagement

Larry Isch — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 14:18:23 +0000

Nichole Sherman has joined the ��vlog��’ Office of Student Affairs as the new director of student engagement.

Sherman, who started at Ozarks on June 1, will be responsible for planning, implementing and assessing major campus events and traditions to promote the retention and persistence of Ozarks’ students. She will oversee the areas of student activities, new student orientation programs and student organizations.

“I don’t have the words to describe how thrilled we are to have Nichole start as the director of student engagement, and I am excited to see what new programs she is planning for next year,” said Terri Thomas, dean of students.

Sherman most recently served as the area coordinator for the residential apartment facilities at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, since 2019. She was also the residence life coordinator at Texas A&M at Texarkana from 2012-2015 and served as a hall director at her undergraduate alma mater, Centenary College in Shreveport, La.

“I am honored to be part of the Ozarks community that supports the overall development and growth of the student,” Sherman said. “The University has a legacy of empowering students to identify their passions, provide a foundation, and entering the world confident and prepared to make an impact wherever they decide to go.”

Sherman said in her new position she hopes “to engage all students to encourage personal development, embrace diversity, and foster an environment of inclusivity.”

“My goal is to collaborate with students, faculty and staff to create a dynamic student experience that impacts student success, retention, and the overall mission of the University.”

Sherman was born and raised in Texarkana, Texas, before going on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Centenary and a master’s degree in student development and leadership from Angelo State University in Texas.

She and her husband, Justin, have two daughters, Harper (6) and Riley (4). She enjoys traveling to different water parks with her family, dancing, and gardening.

“We spend most of our free time seeking adventures and new experiences as a family,” she said.

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Updated Mask Requirements for Spring 2022

Amy Zamaripas — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 13:27:18 +0000

As covid-19 numbers continue to rise in Johnson County and around the country, Ozarks has implemented a mask mandate for all students, staff, and faculty. This means that in all indoor public spaces on campus, everyone will be required to wear a mask.

Students will not be required to wear their masks in their resident hall rooms but will need to have them anytime they are out of their rooms.

Proper masks will also be required. Proper masks include any mask that is double (or more) layered, surgical masks, or N95 masks. Masks that do not meet these requirements are: face shields when worn alone, gaiters, bandanas, or anything that is not double layered.

As we continue to monitor the situation, we will update your policy as we see necessary.

Thank you for your compliance in an effort to keep everyone on Ozarks campus healthy and safe.

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Ballard ’21 Named RH Director for MacLean Hall

Larry Isch — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 16:17:16 +0000

Casie Ballard, a 2021 ��vlog�� graduate, has been named the new residence hall director for MacLean Hall. She began her new job on Nov. 1.

Originally from Cabot, Ark., Ballard graduated with degrees in business administration and English and a minor in psychology. She earned Summa Cum Laude honors and also served as a student ambassador during her time at Ozarks.

“I graduated from the Ozarks in May and didn’t get far before I realized I wanted to give back to this community and the students still attending the University,” Ballard said. “That is why I am here. I want to make the student experience of living on campus a great one. I am excited to take this position and build this community up with the ideas that students have for what they want to see happen in the residence halls.”

Ballard said her primary goal is to help students succeed.

“If they ever need anything, my office is on the first floor of MacLean Hall, right outside of the ballroom, and they can come see me at any time,” she said. “Being a recent graduate, I have the privilege of knowing most students already, but I strongly encourage students that might not know me to introduce themselves to me if they see me out and about on campus.”

Ballard and her husband, Kaleb, have one son, Timothy. Her hobbies include, photography, going to the gym, watching sports and being with her family.

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Shaw to Lead Ozarks Outdoors Program

Larry Isch — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 14:27:03 +0000

Darrell Shaw III has been named the new director of Ozarks Outdoors, the outdoor education and recreation program at ��vlog��. He will begin his new duties on Oct. 1.

A native of Lamar, Ark., Shaw served as director of outdoor education and recreation at Lyon College in Batesville, Ark., from 2013 to 2018. Since 2018 he has been the program manager for the Parks and Recreation Department in Fayetteville, Ark., where he helped create a nationally-recognized community outdoor recreation program, Outdoor Fayetteville.

“Working for Ozarks Outdoors is my dream job,” Shaw said. “I am very excited about the opportunity to share my passion for experiential education, student development, traveling and adventuring with the students at U of O in my hometown. Arkansas is such a beautiful place and there are so many amazing places to explore. My vision for the program is to provide numerous opportunities for students to recreate outside through outdoor adventures and intramurals, while also providing student leadership opportunities for the student staff. I want to foster a space that is welcoming and open to all.”:

Shaw replaces Bendex Stevenson, who stepped down from the position this past summer to pursue other opportunities.

Shaw earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation and sport management from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and his master’s degree in recreation and sports administration from Western Kentucky University.

He said his favorite thing about leading students on outdoor adventures is “getting someone out of their comfort zone and trying something new.”

“It is so rewarding seeing someone discover something they become very passionate about after taking that first step and trying it for the first time,” Shaw said. “Life is all about relationships and trying new things. Extended trips are the best. When you get a group to commit to spending five-plus days and nights together, it really gets to be fun when people open up and let their guard down. I have so many great memories with students, of all different backgrounds and skill levels, adventuring in places all across the world. The skills, experiences and relationships developed on these types of trips are those that a person will enjoy for a lifetime.”

At Lyon, Shaw helped develop the college’s outdoor leadership program, managed the intramural program, taught academic classes in outdoor leadership and recreation, and oversaw a bike shop that served the campus and community.

He is a member of the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) and is certification and training in SOLO Wilderness First Responder, Single Pitch Instructor Training and ACA Swiftwater Rescue Class III.

Shaw enjoys climbing, cycling, camping, paddling, photography, fishing, hunting, sports, gardening and building things. He and his wife, Samantha (Sammie), met in grad school at WKU, where they were both graduate students. Samantha has a master’s degree in sport and recreation management. She homeschools the couple’s three children, Lily, Norah and Amos.

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Student Life Archives - ����vlog����