Higher Ed Major Helps Ensure Underrepresented, Marginalized Students Have Access to College

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Angelique Price with her NASPA Region IV-West Rising Star Award

Angelique Price is from Austin, Texas. But she set her sights on the University of Arkansas after she kept hearing about its "amazing Higher Education program."

Her decision was solidified during the Attracting Intelligent Minds (AIM) Conference. AIM brings prospective graduate students from underrepresented populations to campus to learn about graduate programs, funding sources and research opportunities.

"It was monumental in my decision to attend the University of Arkansas," she said. "The conference helped me network and build a sense of community, but most importantly it made U of A home."

Price has soared since enrolling here. For example, she won the NASPA Region IV-West Graduate Student Rising Star Award. This award is given to only five graduate students — across their huge territory stretching from Arkansas into Canada — who are focused on careers in student affairs.

"To be awarded such a high honor as a graduate student is surreal," she said. "It's such a remarkable feeling to be honored by those I admire the most for something that I love to do every day."

Price is the diversity education graduate assistant in the U of A Multicultural Center. She's responsible half a dozen programs that empower students from various backgrounds.

So, what prompted her interest in higher education?

"I always joke around and say, 'I love college so much, I want to stay here the rest of my life.' I want to ensure college is accessible — and that the underrepresented and marginalized student populations have the ability to grow and holistically develop in institutions of higher education," she said.

Price's ultimate goal is to develop education policy and serve as a vice chancellor of student affairs at a four-year institution.

This story is the second in a series featuring outstanding students in the College of Education and Health Professions.The U of A Higher Education program is practitioner-oriented with a primary focus on preparing academic and administrative professionals to be effective leaders in the higher education workplace.

About the College of Education and Health Professions: The College of Education and Health Professions offers advanced academic degrees as well as professional development opportunities and learning communities in service to the education and health systems of Arkansas and beyond. The college provides the education and experiences for a variety of professional roles, ranging from community mental health counselors to school teachers and leaders. Programs in adult and higher education, along with educational technology and sport management, offer a broad range of options. In addition to education-related opportunities, the college prepares nurses, speech-language pathologists, health educators and administrators, recreation professionals, rehabilitation counselors and human performance researchers.