Since its first year in 2012, the Arkansas Tech University Involvement Fair has provided student leaders, faculty, staff and the community with an opportunity to gather and demonstrate what ATU and the Arkansas River Valley have to offer to incoming and returning students
Now, with the creation of Mullens Plaza at Ferguson Student Union, ATU Involvement Fair has found a home that matches the spirit of the event
“It’s my favorite event of the year already, but seeing it on Mullens Plaza for the first time, in front of Ferguson Student Union, and all of the people who showed up…with a record-breaking number of booths…is beyond all of our dreams,” said Chelsea Neal, ATU associate dean for campus life and director of Ferguson Student Union. “(Mullens Plaza) is right in the center of campus. It’s the heart of campus, and they already know Ferguson Student Union so well that it’s easy for them to see this is here, this is available to them and they know this is their home.”
The first ATU Involvement Fair on Mullens Plaza took place on Monday, Aug. 17. The ATU Department of Campus Life reported that more than 1,000 students checked in for the event, which included more than 140 booths representing local businesses, area non-profit organizations and on-campus departments and organizations
“It makes me feel joy and pride in ATU,” said Kylie Kelly of Russellville, 2026-27 president of ATU Student Activities Board. “I’m so happy that all of these students are excited to come to Involvement Fair and see what Tech has to offer. We have so many registered student organizations. There’s a place for everybody here. We make sure that everyone here is seen.”
Neal said that while the overwhelming attendance was great, ATU Involvement Fair is really about helping Arkansas Tech students build the one-to-one relationships that will facilitate their academic and personal success
“I hope they met at least one person they connected with,” said Neal. “And then, an organization…whether that’s a community organization, a student organization or a campus department…somebody they can connect with so they feel like Arkansas Tech is home to them and Russellville is home to them.”
