Lindsey Aloia

Director

Email: aloia@uark.edu

Dr. Lindsey S. Aloia (Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University) is the Director of the Honor Studies Program in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication. She is also the former Director of the Center for Communication Research. Dr. Aloia's research focuses on elucidating the causes and consequences of verbal aggression in interpersonal associations. Specifically, Dr. Aloia studies how qualities of interpersonal interactions, as well as individuals, shape the use of and reactions to verbally aggressive experiences. Dr. Aloia's graduate and undergraduate classes consider consequential communication in the contexts of families, romantic relationships, and other intimate interpersonal associations. In particular, Dr. Aloia teaches Conflict and Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Family Communication, Contemporary Communication Theory, and Quantitative Research Methods.

Jill Geisler Wheeler

Associate Director

Email: jwheeler@uark.edu

Jill earned her undergraduate and both of her graduate degrees from the University of Arkansas. She received her Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration in Marketing Management in 2004. She went on to earn a Master's in Higher Education in 2007, a second Master's of Science in Counselor Education in 2010.

Jill joined Fulbright Honors in January 2012 after 5 1/2 year of academic advising in the Fulbright Advising Center. While there she worked with students of all majors in Fulbright College. Jill was Assistant Director of Program Development and her responsibilities in addition to academic advising included heading the colleges recruiting efforts along with supervising the Fulbright College Ambassadors. She is an active member of both the Arkansas Academic Advising Network (ArkANN) and National Academic Advising Counsel (NACADA) where she is the incoming chair of the Webinar Advisory Board. She has presented at the state, regional and national level through these two organizations. She was named "Outstanding Academic Adviser" by ArkAAN in 2010 and her co-presentation on student veterans won Best of Region 7.  Prior to the Advising Center she was an Assistant Director of Admission in the University's Office of Admissions.

A native of Brinkley, AR, Jill now calls Northwest Arkansas home with her husband Michael, their two little girls Emma and Ava.  She loves to walk with her family around campus and just being outdoors in Northwest Arkansas. Her favorite part of her job is that every student is different and each one of them brings something special to the advising session. Helping students discover their passions and how a Fulbright major fits them continues to make her smile daily.

Fall 2023 Academic Advising

To schedule an academic advising appointment, Schedule an Appointment on my UASuccess Calendar. When scheduling, you can select one of the following locations depending on your preferred method of advising:

• Old Main 525: Select this option for in-person advising in my office in Old Main 525. Face masks covering the nose and mouth are recommended for all in-person appointments.
• UARK Zoom: Select this option for synchronous video advising through your UARK Zoom account. To download Zoom or log into Zoom, visit the Get Started with Zoom page of the IT Services website.
• Phone Call: Select this option to be advised over the phone. Be sure to include a working phone number with your reason for meeting.

In addition to scheduled appointments, I am also available to answer quick advising questions via email at jwheeler@uark.edu. I look forward to talking with you soon!

Sammi Mason

Academic Advisor

Email: samason@uark.edu

Samantha (preferred name Sammi) has worked at the University of Arkansas full-time since 2019, when she began as an Administrative Specialist for the Fulbright College Honors Program. Sammi went on to join the College of Arts and Sciences Advising team in 2022. As an advisor on the Honors Team, Sammi works with College and Departmental Honors students of all levels in the College of Arts and Sciences. Sammi earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and News/Editorial Journalism from the University of Arkansas in 2016 and her Master of Arts in English Literary and Cultural Studies from the University of Oklahoma in 2019.

When she is not working, Sammi is an avid reader and a close follower of pop culture, movies, and TV. As a lapsed cellist, she also has a love of all things music and the performing arts. 

Sammi grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, and she has called Fayetteville her home off and on since she began her undergraduate degree in 2012. She now lives in West Fayetteville with her husband James.

Fall 2023 Academic Advising

To schedule an academic advising appointment, Schedule an Appointment on my UASuccess Calendar. When scheduling, you can select one of the following locations depending on your preferred method of advising:

• Old Main 525: Select this option for in-person advising in my office in Old Main 525. Face masks covering the nose and mouth are recommended for all in-person appointments.

• Microsoft Teams: Select this option for synchonous video advising through Microsoft Teams. To download Microsoft Teams, visit the Get Started with Microsoft Teams page of the IT Services website.

• Phone Call: Select this option to be advised over the phone. Be sure to include a working phone number with your reason for meeting.

In addition to scheduled appointments, I am also available to answer quick advising questions via email at samason@uark.edu. I look forward to talking with you soon!

Matt Jones

Academic Advisor

Matt has lived in Northwest Arkansas since 1997 and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas. He was a physics instructor at his alma mater, Springdale High School, for seventeen years before bringing his talents to Fayetteville as an Academic Advisor. He is passionate about building relationships with students and helping them achieve their professional and educational goals.

You might catch Matt playing drums around town on weekends or riding bikes on the Razorback Greenway. He's also interested in comic books and kayaking and loves spending time with his wife and two sons.

Email: majones@uark.edu

Fall 2023 Advising Information

To schedule an academic advising appointment with me, find a time that works for you on my UA Success calendar. Make sure you select one of the following locations depending on your preferred method of advising:

• Old Main 525: Select this option for in-person advising in my office in Old Main 525.
• Microsoft Teams: Select this option for synchonous video advising through Microsoft Teams. To download Microsoft Teams, visit the Get Started with Microsoft Teams page of the IT Services website.
• Phone Call: Select this option to be advised over the phone. Be sure to include a working phone number with your reason for meeting.

I'm also available to answer quick advising questions via email. I look forward to talking with you soon!

Mary Ellen Hartford

Administrative Specialist III

Email: mhartfo@uark.edu

Mary Ellen was born in Delano, California, and grew up in Springfield, Missouri. Her parents are retired academicians from Missouri State University; Dr. Holt V. Spicer, former Debate Coach, Communication Department Chair, and Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and Marion Spicer, English professor.

Mary Ellen has a B.A. in Music from Missouri State University. She is married to Hershel Hartford and they have six children, Emily Heard, Rhiannon Strick, Jasmine Cloud, Malyssa Semcken, James Fry, and Gracie Hartford, and ten grandchildren. She enjoys singing at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. She has sung on tour several times, including singing solos in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice. She also loves to read and cook.

Mary Ellen has been with the Fulbright College Honors Program for almost 20 years, and had been Administrative Secretary in the Department of Music at Missouri State University for five years before that. She also has extensive management experience from years in restaurants and convenience stores. She loves working with bright students and making them feel at home.

Allie Primm

Administrative Specialist III

Email: ap446@uark.edu

Allie earned her undergraduate degree in Rhetoric and Writing with a focus in creative writing from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. While earning her B.A., she participated in many student activities, including campus event planning, the Honors International Studies Program, editing the literary journal Applause, and serving as chair and counselor for Cub Camp. All of this instilled a deep love for higher education, and while she still adores writing and experimenting in various creative mediums, she hopes to continue her journey in the realm of academia.

Allie grew up in Greenwood, Arkansas and has lived in the same little ranch-style white house her whole life. She's excited to start a new chapter of her story in Fayetteville, especially as part of the Fulbright College Honors Program team. Being a former honors student herself, she looks forward to seeing the bright futures of the program's students unfold.