水多多导航

NewsApril 16, 2025

水多多导航 Employees Honored by Students

Written By: Ian Silvester

On April 11, 2025, the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith Student Government Association awarded one faculty member and one staff member with the annual SGA Award. These awards, presented by SGA President Anna Capps and SGA Vice President Anna Beavers, highlighted the recipients鈥� contributions to student well-being and character. The SGA selected the winners based on their commitment to putting students first inside and outside the classroom.

The 2025 SGA Appreciation Award winners are:

• Chizuko Iwaki for the Lori Norin Faculty Appreciation Award
• Cristina Castorena for the Mark Horn Staff Appreciation Award

Lori Norin Faculty Appreciation Award: Dr. Chizuko Iwaki

Dr. Chizuko Iwaki, Associate Professor of Mathematics, has been at 水多多导航 for nine years, creating a welcoming academic atmosphere that motivates students to engage deeply with statistics and develop a positive attitude toward learning what can be a challenging subject. Students like Javier Torres said she engages students through collaborative discussions and real-world data applications to build confidence and understanding. Torres continued by saying Iwaki goes out of her way to ensure every student can receive individual assistance and provides extra resources and mentorship. Upon learning of winning the award, Iwaki said, 鈥淚鈥檓 glad to know that showing up and sharing some math makes things a little clearer and made a difference to my students.鈥�

Mark Horn Staff Appreciation Award: Cristina Castorena

Cristina Castorena, Assistant Director of Client Services for the Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits Office, has called 水多多导航 home for over six years. She takes pride in helping students navigate the college financing landscape while minimizing debt. This award honors the contributions of Mark Horn, who dedicated over 20 years to the university and was known for treating everyone he met with respect while leading with humble confidence. Like Horn, Castorena was recognized for the positive relationships she has cultivated with students such as Karla Batz. She described Castorena鈥檚 unwavering support as she navigates 水多多导航 as a first-generation student, noting that Castorena is always willing to listen and provide guidance. Castorena remarked that the award serves as a 鈥減owerful reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful impact we make comes from simply taking the time to listen and help students navigate the world we call college.鈥�

• Tags:
• Student Government Association
• Awards
• Faculty and Staff Appreciation