Student Orientation Staff Recognized as CLAWS Recipient at August Board Meeting

The Student Orientation Staff (SOS) received the Bear CLAWS award at the August meeting of the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees.

CLAWS, an acronym for Celebrating the Lofty Achievements of Our Wonderful Students, is awarded to one or more exceptional students or recognized student organizations during regularly scheduled board meetings.

The SOS program, established in fall 1979 and expanded to include Summer Orientation and Academic Registration (SOAR) sessions starting in 1992, aids first-year students in transitioning from high school to college. The program features volunteer student leaders who facilitate all SOAR activities.

SOS co-directors Ashley Spanel and Kaleb Vassar accepted the CLAWS award on behalf of the SOS.

SOS aims to help new students adapt to college life at UCA, explore educational opportunities, integrate into campus life, provide insights into incoming students, and familiarize new students and their families with institutional policies, programs, and resources.

SOSers receive extensive leadership training throughout the spring semester and over the summer. These volunteers are chosen based on academic standing, campus involvement, and dedication to service. Each SOSer volunteers approximately 200 hours of service to the university between April and August. UCA currently has 89 SOSers, including 39 freshmen, 27 sophomores, 36 juniors, 12 seniors and one graduate student.

The organization’s leadership team consists of two student Co-Directors who work with the Directors of First Experience to plan, implement, and oversee all orientation programming and eight Team Leaders responsible for leading teams of 10 SOSers to carry out that programming. 

President Houston Davis said, “These students are literally the front lines of welcoming our visitors and future family members to our campus and helping bridge the gap between high school and college. We deeply appreciate their work. They’ve always been exemplary, but they have been amazing these past few weeks of SOAR.”