Meet the Council
Sophomore Council consists of 15 rising sophomore students who are passionate about helping incoming students in their transition to the U of A. They are led by 4 Junior Leaders who mentor them throughout the process. They hold year-long positions where they plan Welcome Week events and participate in leadership and program planning training.
Executive Leaders 2021-2022
Emma Brinkmeyer
Hometown: Rowlett, TX
Major: Human Development
Instagram Handle: @emma.car0line
Favorite thing about the U of A: How friendly and nice everyone on campus is.
Advice To New Students: Always be open to new possibilities.
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: I like to drive around and just hangout with my friends.
Noelle Chesser
Hometown: Katy, TX
Major: Advertising and Public Relations
Instagram Handle: @noellechesser
Favorite thing about the U of A: I love the campus and how there is always something to do!
Advice To New Students: Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to talk to people!
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: I love to go to coffee shops around town with my friends and try something new. I also love how there are so many different places to explore in Northwest Arkansas.
Kyndal Williams
Hometown: Frisco, TX
Major: Pre-Nursing
Instagram Handle: @kyndal_williams
Favorite thing about the U of A: My favorite thing about the U of A is all of my friends I have made in classes, clubs, and organizations.
Advice To New Students: My advice for incoming freshman is to get involved in clubs and organizations that can help you develop in your purpose and passions
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: My favorite thing to do around Fayetteville is shop and eat!
Past Council Members
2021-2022 Council Members: Coming Soon!
Emma Brinkmeyer
Hometown: Rowlett, TX
Major: Human Development
Instagram Handle: @emma.car0line
Favorite thing about the U of A: How friendly and nice everyone on campus is.
Advice To New Students: Always be open to new possibilities.
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: I like to drive around and just hangout with my friends.
Claire Cammack
Hometown: Longview, TX
Major: Communication Disorders
Instagram Handle: @claire_cammack__
Favorite thing about the U of A: The people! Everyone I have met at the U of A have made me feel welcomed and apart of the campus community. The moment you step on campus you feel like you belong.
Advice To New Students: To stay on top of your work and get a planner/bullet journal to stay organized!
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: Devils den! A make a goal to visit at least one time a month.
Tess Carroll
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Major: Nursing
Instagram Handle: @tess_carroll_
Favorite thing about the U of A: The community. No matter what we are doing every part of the community comes out in one way or another. Whether that is participating, donating, or hanging up flyers and posters in support. It is a very welcoming community.
Advice To New Students: Talk to the people you sit around in class! You may think that is super awkward and that they don’t wanna be talked to, but everyone is in the same boat! Some people are just better at hiding their want to make friends! Plus, you always want to be able to contact someone if you are sick, late, or have to be gone for an unforeseen situation! I’ve made some of my best friends this way!
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: Thrift shop! Honestly because everyone that is donating to these stores are college students too, that are just cleaning out their places! But, you also can get really cool things from the non-student citizens of Fayetteville! I have a windbreaker from the 1999 Citrus World Cup!
Noelle Chesser
Hometown: Katy, TX
Major: Advertising and Public Relations
Instagram Handle: @noellechesser
Favorite thing about the U of A: I love the campus and how there is always something to do!
Advice To New Students: Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to talk to people!
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: I love to go to coffee shops around town with my friends and try something new. I also love how there are so many different places to explore in Northwest Arkansas.
Lance Cordes
Hometown: Cypress, TX
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Instagram Handle: @lance_cordes
Favorite thing about the U of A: I love the atmosphere and how most professors, administrators, and student leaders want to see students succeed in both academic and social life.
Advice To New Students: College is for trying new thing! Don’t be afraid to express your hobbies, interests, and drive. As long as you don’t let fear overwhelm yourself you will find people with the same interests and hobbies as you. Just make sure you know you are awesome and build up a healthy confidence in yourself!
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: I like to go running and explore the maze of sidewalks and trails Fayetteville has.
Devon Feimster
Hometown: Fort Smith, AR
Major: Pre-Nursing
Favorite thing about the U of A: The community.
Advice To New Students: Stay focused. Don’t slack off too hard. You know, the usual pep talk you ignore till it hits and it’s too late.
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: Explore the different restaurants in Fayetteville.
Madeleine Hilburn
Hometown: Prosper, TX
Major: Political Science
Instagram Handle: @maddiehilburn
Favorite thing about the U of A: How beautiful the campus is.
Advice To New Students: You won’t get anything out of being too cool. Go to events and talk to people, that’s the best way to make friends.
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: Go hiking with my friends.
Breanna Kilgore
Hometown: El Dorado, AR
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Instagram Handle: @im_breannak
Favorite thing about the U of A: I love the environment! Campus is beautiful and there are plenty of study spots and coffee shops.
Advice To New Students: Make sure to be yourself! Embrace and find out who you are, no matter who it is, there will be a group of people to support you! College is all about having fun and experiencing new things, all while studying of course 🙂
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: I love to walk around downtown and adventure into the small shops!
Tyler Merreighn
Hometown: Greenwood, AR
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Instagram Handle: @tylermerreighn
Favorite thing about the U of A: I love how large the University of Arkansas is. With large size comes a large number of opportunities, whether that be classes, student organizations, research, study abroad programs, people, and so many other things you’ll soon find out!
Advice To New Students: Get involved! Being involved in your freshman year will allow you to learn about the different aspects of campus and make the connections you need to set yourself up for success throughout your entire 4 years! Checkout HogSync and read the daily Newswire for involvement opportunities!
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: I really enjoy going to get ice cream with my friends, especially at Andy’s. It’s something that is quick, easy, and fun, and it doesn’t really require a lot of planning around everyone’s busy schedules!
Danielle Poquette
Hometown: Bartlesville, OK
Major: Marketing
Instagram Handle: @daniellepoquette
Favorite thing about the U of A: The NSFP (New Student & Family Programs) Office! I love the people, the energy, and the programs!!
Advice To New Students: Don’t be afraid to take time to take care of yourself, your health (mental, physical, and spiritual) should be top priority.
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: Ride the VeoRides on the Razorback Greenway to Mamaka Bowls!! Especially on a sunny day. Oh, and baseball games, of course!
Paiton Scrivner
Hometown: Hot Springs Village, AR
Major: Biology
Instagram Handle: @paiton_scriv
Favorite thing about the U of A: The campus views!
Advice To New Students: Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. This is your time to grow and challenge yourself!!
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: Eat at all the yummy and diverse restaurants.
Tatiana Shi
Hometown: Bolivia (International Student)
Major: Marketing and Management
Instagram Handle: @tatiana_shi
Favorite thing about the U of A: Greek life (as I have never experienced or knew about this before coming to college).
Advice To New Students: Get an agenda!
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: Go to restaurants and try new (especially Thai food)!
John Stavinoha
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Major: Business
Instagram Handle: @Johnbstavi
Favorite thing about the U of A: The campus and the scenery.
Advice To New Students: Go out and enjoy yourself, but don’t forget about school.
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: Hiking and walking the local trails.
Lauren Stephens
Hometown: Edmond, OK
Major: Art History (Honors Student)
Instagram Handle: @laurenemiily
Favorite thing about the U of A: The campus is SO beautiful!
Advice To New Students: Get involved!
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: Dancing at the local dance club, Whiskey 101.
Caroline Wagner
Hometown: Carrollton, TX
Major: International Studies
Instagram Handle: @carolineelainewagner
Favorite thing about the U of A: All of the friendly faces!
Advice To New Students: Try things, try EVERYTHING. Even if you don’t think it’s your jam, life can surprise you!
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville:Spending time outside hiking, biking, and running.
Nick Waltke
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Major: Management
Instagram Handle: @nick.waltke & @nicks_classic_bikess
Favorite thing about the U of A: My favorite thing about the U of A is that it is 30 minutes from some of the nicest mountain biking and hiking trails in the region. I love the outdoors, so living on the hill is a great place to find a new activity that you haven’t tried before.
Advice To New Students: Come to college with the mindset that it will be challenging, and that not everything is going to work out perfectly. Don’t be afraid of failure because it will happen, and it’s how you move past it that helps you become a better student. Never be afraid to reach out to your teachers or friends for help. Everyone is living through history right now with Covid-19, so you are in the same boat as thousands of other students. Talk it out.
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: Explore the local restaurants, there is something for everyone.
Kyndal Williams
Hometown: Frisco, TX
Major: Pre-Nursing
Instagram Handle: @kyndal_williams
Favorite thing about the U of A: My favorite thing about the U of A is all of my friends I have made in classes, clubs, and organizations.
Advice To New Students: My advice for incoming freshman is to get involved in clubs and organizations that can help you develop in your purpose and passions
Favorite thing to do around Fayetteville: My favorite thing to do around Fayetteville is shop and eat!
New Student and Family Programs
University of Arkansas
Arkansas Union A688
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
P (479)575.5002
nsfp@uark.edu
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