I moved from Muncie, Indiana to attend UCA in the fall of 2000 to be closer to my grandparents who lived in Heber Springs. I did not know a single individual in the city of Conway when I pulled up to the curb of State Residential College on move-in day. Within the first few weeks I had made a couple of my closest lifelong friends through classes in State Hall, late night hangouts on the 2nd floor, & cafeteria runs together.
I am confident that the close community and support I received through the residential college system played a huge role in my involvement and success during my time at the University of Central Arkansas. My peers from the residential college helped me campaign for Student Government Association my freshman year and then later get elected as SGA President my junior year; many shared the experience of pledging in Greek Life (Delta Zeta, Spring 2001); and a large number of my fellow residential college members served on SOS, Up til’ Dawn, and other service organizations on campus throughout our college career.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations I went on to pursue my Master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration at UCA in 2006. I currently serve as the executive director of Community Connections, a non-profit organization that provides free extra-curricular activities for children with special needs and support for their families. I am married to Trip Leach (Director of Finance at New Life Church) and we have 4 children: Quinten (10), Alex (8), Bentley (3), & Abigail Jane (2). We love living in Conway & all that UCA and this great community have to offer!