Epically Driven to Succeed
Freshman and Entrepreneurship, Public Scholarship, Innovation and Community Engagement (EPIC) Residential College student Armani Famous was named the Top EPIC Student of fall 2015.
To earn the award, she attended EPIC events and participated in projects to attain the highest number of points. She was the only University of Central Arkansas student in the program who attended all of the events.
“When they announced that I was the Top EPIC Student, I was confused because I had forgotten all about the point system,” Famous said. “I went to all of the events because I genuinely wanted to go and be a part of the program. Then, once I realized what was happening, I was really excited because I felt like as a freshman, or the underdog, I had somehow left my mark on UCA.”
The EPIC College’s focus on business experience and community engagement was what drew her into the program. A nutrition and pre-medicine major, Famous hopes to attend medical school after college and to one day open her own family clinic. She believes being involved in the program will help her with her future goals.
Even though the EPIC program is usually for upperclassmen, Famous applied and was accepted. “I wanted to challenge myself and the expectations set for me,” she said.
The EPIC program has changed Famous’ life in positive ways. The business-based lectures and projects that dealt with problems and solutions in the EPIC program were challenging, but in a good way, Famous said. “I am far more confident and self-aware,” she said. “I am more honest with myself because I know it is okay to be who I am. Odds are you are going to find people who like the things that you like and appreciate the same things you appreciate. The ones who don’t make you think.”
Famous said her mother, Kristy Carter, director of marketing for the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement, is her inspiration. “My mom has worked so hard since I was born; she made it her life’s mission to make sure I succeeded,” she said. “I want to do the same with my life. I just want to do the best I can to make someone else’s life better.”
Famous is a member of the Residential Housing Association, Student United Way, NAACP and is on the executive board of Griot society. She works at the Reynolds Performance Hall.