Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – A tradition continues at Arkansas State University, as student Samantha (Sami) Hammaker received the Jordan Smith Undergraduate Fellowship. She joins a list of Red Wolves awarded the honor. 

Hammaker, a junior psychology major from Cabot, was one of five students from across the country selected for the fellowship. The program focuses on boosting leadership skills and the knowledge base of undergraduate students.

Recipients will gather at the annual conference on First-Year Experience and can take what they learn back to their college to advance first-year student development on their campuses.

“Winning this award is such an honor, and I hope to bring back to campus valuable information from the conference,” said Hammaker.

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Hammaker will have her registration and all expenses paid for as she attends the 46th annual conference early next year in Orlando, FL. She will be honored and presented with a plaque during the convention for her achievements.

“Bettering the student experience is very important to me, and I am glad I get to be a part of this process,” Hammaker added. 

She is heavily involved on campus, including serving as a Student Government Association Honors senator, Feminist Union vice-president, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society secretary, and vice president of Delta Sigma Omicron, which advocates for disability awareness and inclusion.

Her work to make all feel welcomed on campus also extends to Learning Support Services,  where she works as a tutor. Hammaker also serves as a Center for Leadership Excellence intern and a Transition Studies peer mentor. 

She was nominated by Kyle Walker, director of Learning Support Services.

“Sami is more than deserving of the Jordan Smith Fellowship. I was able to watch Sami support dozens of students struggling in courses from mathematics, biology and psychology. In each of these interactions, Sami excitedly tutored students through challenging concepts, rejoicing in their successes and bolstering them through mistakes,” said Walker.

Hammaker now joins a growing list of students paving their own way who have also received the Jordan Smith Fellowship for their work in First-Year Experience (FYE). She becomes the fourth Red Wolf since 2022 to be awarded the honor.

“She truly has a heart for service and mentorship and will be an amazing representative of A-State to showcase our university’s impact on a national stage. Sami is not just a great thinker and idea person, but someone who is committed to bringing those ideas to fruition to help others. Getting to attend the national FYE conference on this fellowship will give her the tools to make a real difference upon returning to campus,” said Jennifer Salo, coordinator of competitive scholarships and fellowships. 

For more information about applying for nationally competitive awards and opportunities, contact Salo at jsalo@AState.edu.

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