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Golden Eagle Award Winner Gives Back to Fellow Students and Community.
Jorge Rodriguez believes responsibilities as a student at NorthWest Arkansas Community
College (NWACC) include helping student peers.
“I have always been a believer of giving back not only to my community, but also to students who attend NWACC with me,” he says. “I understand that we all have a different story about how we got here. At the same time, if I can help my fellow students in any way possible get to their goal, I feel like I have done my job.”
Jorge is seeking an associate of science degree in business, and he’s the February Golden Eagle at NWACC. The Golden Eagle designation is awarded six times per year to students who demonstrate outstanding commitment to education, leadership and service.
Jorge was nominated for the Golden Eagle Award by Rachel Pilgrim, an administrative assistant at NWACC. She notes that he has been involved in multiple organizations and activities on campus, including ENACTUS, the LIFE Program, the Honors Program, and DREAMers of NWACC.
Jorge serves as a work-study in the office of LIFE Director Juanita Franklin and has been involved in orientation sessions for incoming NWACC students.
“Jorge is always willing to help no matter what the situation,” the nomination form from Rachel states. “He truly does enjoy and is dedicated to his job and involvement here at NWACC.”
Jorge is committed to service, both at the college and in the community.
“Being able to participate in clubs like ENACTUS and DREAmers, not to mention being part of the Honors Program, as well as the LIFE program, has helped to help those out that may have been missed,” he says. “Participating in the community is important to me — anything from helping translate at our local elementary school or to participating in being to educate our community about how going to college is important. This has opened up opportunities to better understand what is going on locally or I can help bridge the gap to help future students in the path to chase their dreams.”
He says there are many ways to measure development and social awareness. “The biggest factor for me is always going to be the impact that I have not only at NWACC, but at the same time the difference I can help make in my community,” he says. “If I am able to guide another fellow student to the right information, I feel like he or she will have an easier path to their goals. The best feeling is seeing a student that I have helped last semester being back and telling me how this semester should be a better one.”
Jorge plans to complete his degree at NWACC and then transfer to a four-year university, where he can earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on marketing. His possible choices include Georgetown University, University of Arkansas, Louisiana State University, Christian Brothers University and University of Kentucky.
Eventually, he wants to pursue a law degree and a Master of Business Administration in international business. He hopes to pursue a career in corporate law.
There’s a Place for You Here.
Visit nwacc.edu or call 479-986-4000 to learn more about choosing a higher education with NWACC.