Student Testimonies
Jacey Whisenhunt - 2022 Graduate
Jacey Whisenhunt attended UA Rich Mountain before transferring to UA Fort Smith to
enter the Dental Hygiene program. Jacey attended UA Rich Mountain from Fall 2021 until
she transferred to UA Fort Smith in Fall 2022.
When visiting with Jacey about her experience at UA Rich Mountain she stated, “Some of my best memories were working in the bookstore and being an officer in SGA. I got wonderful opportunities to go on amazing trips with amazing people including APCA with SGA and CAMEX with the bookstore. I am very grateful for the great memories.” Jacey encourages people to attend UA Rich Mountain for many reasons. One of the biggest factors is saving money when attending UARM. The second is there are also so many opportunities to be involved on campus since it is smaller, everyone has a chance to be involved. UARM is great especially right after high school allowing students to spread their wings and become familiar with the college environment.
Maurice Theart - 2021 Graduate
Maurice Theart is an International student who attended UA Rich Mountain to play on
the Men’s soccer team. Maurice transferred to Louisiana State University Shreveport
where he is currently a member of the Men’s soccer team. Maurice attended UA Rich
Mountain from Fall 2019 until he graduated with his Associate of General Studies.
He is currently majoring in Business Management and Administration with a concentration
in information systems. All of Maurice’s classes from UA Rich Mountain transferred
to his major at Louisiana State University.
When asked about his experience at UA Rich Mountain, Maurice stated, “To be honest my process was relatively quick and simple, and I feel that everything went as I had hoped it would. I will never forget scoring the first goal for the men’s soccer program ever in the history of the college. Another unforgettable feeling was winning the Region II conference tournament championship in the college’s first ever season in history. I also loved the big money bingo nights as well as all the other campus fun day events and the night events. The people at the college were the main reason for making my experience there one to remember, this included staff as well as students and the local community.”
Maurice feels that UARM is a great college to start a student’s studying career within the United States as the staff and people are very helpful and friendly and will try to help where they can. The campus is very easy to navigate and is very beautiful on the inside and out. Maurice says, “I am honored to have attended Rich Mountain within my first two years in the USA.” Maurice enjoyed every moment at the college and made forever lasting memories. He has made friendships and relationships that will last forever. Overall, he feels that he could not have asked for a better first two years in a junior college while playing soccer and studying in the USA. He would like to thank all the wonderful staff and members of Rich Mountain for making his experience unforgettable.
Alexis Payne - 2022 Graduate
Alexis Payne graduated in the summer of 2022 with an Associate of Applied Science
from UA Rich Mountain. Currently, Alexis is taking time off to decide how she wants
to continue her educational journey. Alexis had planned to attend UA Fort Smith to
pursue a degree in computer science where all her credits from UA Rich Mountain, but
one, would transfer into her degree plan. Alexis states her advisors, Mrs. Terry Francis
and Mrs. Kandy Page, did a wonderful job helping her decide the classes she needed
and ones that would transfer to her degree at UA Fort Smith.
“The environment at UA Rich Mountain is amazing,” Alexis stated. She continues that some of her best memories are from working in the bookstore. She loved getting to know everyone, and talking to high school students about why UARM is a great choice. Alexis believes, “The staff is amazing, whether it is a teacher or the front desk, they are the kindest people. Everyone really cares about each and every student and worker.” Alexis would recommend UA Rich Mountain for any student knowing that she received the same education at UA Rich Mountain that she would going to a 4-year college her freshman year while also saving money.
Irvin Trejo - 2022 Graduate
Irvin Trejo graduated from UA Rich Mountain with an Associate of Arts degree in the
Summer of 2022. Irvin is currently attending Southern Arkansas University majoring
in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. Working closely with his
advisor and financial aid, all of Irvin’s classes but one transferred to his degree
at SAU. Irvin stated that all the staff and faculty made his transition from UA Rich
Mountain to SAU very smooth. He felt he was well informed and well prepared to attend
a 4-year college.
Irvin explains, “UA Rich Mountain started to help beginning in the 10th grade with the Upward Bound program. UA Rich Mountain’s TRIO programs helped me tremendously. I had the opportunity to learn about what post-secondary institutions look for in a scholar and what all you have to give to have a degree. I also believe that UA Rich Mountain’s partnership with Cossatot River High School was an extremely generous opportunity to take advantage of taking as many college courses as possible during your Junior and Senior year.
Some of Irvin’s best memories were made during his time serving as the Vice President of SGA and working in The Rack (student union). He enjoyed attending the APCA conference with SGA and going to the CAMEX conference with his student union co-workers.
Irvin believes that attending UA Rich Mountain is one of the best decisions he made. During his time at UARM he made lasting friendships, connections and memories and gained the knowledge he needed to accomplish his career goals. Irvin now works as a Financial Aid Officer at UA Rich Mountain and is excited to serve future UA Rich Mountain students.