Fulbright College Spotlights Outstanding Students and Staff for Black History Month
For Black History Month during February, the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences recently highlighted and honored just a few of our outstanding Black students and Dean’s Office staff members who make our college — and the entire U of A campus — better every day, year-round.
Check out these features below and be sure to follow Fulbright College on social media for more features, news, and coverage from campus. Don’t miss our Women’s History Month coverage for March and so much more.
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Gabrielle McGraw, a third-year Fulbright College student majoring in biology and African and African American studies
McGraw is a member of the Fulbright College Honors Program, for which she is an ambassador. Apart from performing well in the classroom, McGraw is involved with many organizations on campus. She does impactful work with the Diversity and Inclusion Student Council as their social media manager.
Other organizations Gabrielle is active with include the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Students Advocating Stronger Sisterhood, NAACP and University Programs.
McCraw is a perfect example of how our students make Fulbright College a great place to learn, research, work, and grow — all in pursuit of our mission: peace through education.
Jason Howard, associate director of development
Howard, a Pine Bluff, Arkansas, native, has been with the University of Arkansas since 2010, and is a former Fulbright College student, having earned a degree in psychology.
Looking back on his time at the U of A, Howard said he has most enjoyed “the collegiality and collaboration amongst the campus and the many amazing colleagues/students [he’s] had the pleasure of working with thus far.”
“Being able to meet so many amazing students, and how hard our administration, faculty and staff work for them has been an honor,” Howard added.
Howard has previously worked for the Department of Psychological Science and University Advancement. Within his time in development and advancement, he’s worked for gift services, records, and as assistant director of development in the Sam M. Walton College of Business. In October, Howard was promoted to associate director of advancement in Fulbright College and is thrilled to be back where he started his U of A journey.
Howard said he is “grateful for the opportunity to not only represent Fulbright College as a collective, but also for the opportunity to honor the sacrifices of those who came before me by striving to make an impact and becoming better every day.”
Romona West, assistant dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and strategic initiatives
Since 2019, West has supported Fulbright College’s DEI efforts. Prior to this, she served as the assistant director of graduate recruitment and outreach in the Graduate School and International Education.
Growing up five minutes from the U of A, West prides herself on being a “local” of Fayetteville and most days you can find West rooting the Hogs on to a win. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Juris Doctor both from the U of A. She and her husband have three amazing grown children. Four out of the five members of their family have degrees from the U of A (and one Vanderbilt University degree — still an SEC win!).
West truly believes she is “winning” every day in her current role as she helps to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive culture of belonging for all. She is a champion of change if it means progress, uplifting all to provide opportunity and create a community where all can thrive. She loves the academic diversity that Fulbright College offers, and says the people are great.
As a former first-generation college student herself, West believes providing access and fostering student success is a transformative action that leads to better outcomes that we all should be working toward at the U of A to fulfill our mission as a land-grant institution. Also, equally important to her is attracting and retaining the best faculty and staff to position our institution for success for the next 150 years and beyond.
Amaya Henderson, a Fulbright College senior majoring in biology and African and African American studies with a minor in psychology
Henderson is the current president of the U of A’s NAACP chapter. As president, she plans campus events and activities and connects with other NAACP chapters as well as collaborates with other student organizations on campus.
U of A’s NAACP chapter hosts general body meetings every month to provide students with a safe space to express themselves and connect with each other.
The NAACP chapter hosted its first Black Art Expo on Feb. 23 in collaboration with the U of A’s Multicultural Center and the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
In addition to her work with NAACP, Henderson is also the treasurer for Gateway to Hope Campus Ministries. Her other involvements with organizations on campus include Students Advocating for Stronger Sisterhood, the Black Students Association, and the Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students. After graduation, Henderson plans to pursue a career in child psychiatry.
Joshua Porchia, a third-year Fulbright College student majoring in journalism with a minor in business finance
Porchia works as a student assistant on the broadcasting team for Razorback Sports Network. Together, this team works hard to bring that “Hog Wild” atmosphere to college gamedays at the U of A.
Additionally, Porchia holds leadership roles across different organizations on campus. He currently serves as president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) along with serving as vice president and treasurer of the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Porchia is also a member of the Gamma Alpha Chapter of the Order of Omega and The National Society of Leadership at the U of A.
U of A’s National Pan-Hellenic Council chapter is composed of seven of the nine historically black fraternities and sororities, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Collectively, these fraternities and sororities are known as the “Divine Nine”. The collective social and economic power of the NPHC has been a major source of change for the African American community in America since its inception. NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.
Jordyn Lassiter, a third-year Fulbright college student studying journalism and marketing
Lassiter is a proud Houston native and a social media intern on the Fulbright College Communication and Creative Services Team. Lassiter started as a creative services intern in February 2022, and this month marks her one-year anniversary with the team!
In addition to her work providing innovative ideas for Fulbright College’s social media, Lassiter is also involved with the School of Journalism and Strategic Media’s UATV as a sports anchor. She can be seen on UATV’s “The Sports Advantage” every other Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
In the pursuit of a career in sports media, Lassiter is also a marketing and events intern for Razorback Athletics. Her favorite events are track and field, baseball, and women’s basketball.
Lassiter also has an interest in pro/amateur sports in Northwest Arkansas. She trains at Straightright Boxing Gym, a Black-owned boxing gym with locations in Springdale and Little Rock. Straightright Boxing is home to numerous pro/amateur boxers that compete for state and national titles.
In addition, this summer, Lassiter has accepted a position as a marketing and promotions intern with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, a minor-league baseball team in Springdale.
Lassiter is very grateful for the supportive faculty within the School of Journalism and Strategic Media and said that she feels everyone around her wants to see her succeed. Fulbright College has provided her a great environment to learn as a student and grow as a professional.