About Us

Fulbright College Honors Program Mission and Values

Mission

The Fulbright College Honors Program promotes discovery for honors students in the College of Arts and Sciences,  the opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge of their field through rigorous coursework, thesis research with a faculty advisor, and funding for study abroad and other opportunities. We also seek to continually encourage diversity and inclusion among our honors students through equitable access to advising, peer mentoring opportunities, research guidance, and other support services. 

Values

  • A Culture of Inclusion and Respect 
  • Academic Freedom 
  • All Individuals and Diverse Perspectives 
  • Discovery, Research, Creativity and Innovation 
  • Diversity, Civility and Cultural Competence 
  • Education, Access and Equity 
  • Educational and Lived Experiences 
  • Highest Standards in Teaching and a Service-Oriented Approach 
  • Interdisciplinarity and Global Approaches

 

Fulbright College Honors Program Staff

Headshot of Dr. Hare

Dr. Laurence Hare

Executive Director of Undergraduate Excellence and Global Engagement

Email:lhare@uark.edu

 

 

 

 Headshot of Fulbright Honors Associate Director Jill Geisler Wheeler

Jill Geisler Wheeler

Director of Honors and Experiential Learning 

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.

 

 

 

Sammi Mason

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.

 

Spring 2024 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
 

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

 

Spring 2024 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!

 

 

 

Headshot of Administrative Specialist Allie Primm
 

Allie Primm Blackford 

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.