Heather Reed, director of student retention initiatives at UA Little Rock, is one of four Phi Kappa Phi volunteers across the nation who was highlighted in celebration of National Volunteer Week.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week was created as a way to celebrate service and the volunteers that transform our world. Phi Kappa Phi acknowledged the efforts of its board members, committee members, and chapter officers that serve on more than 300 campuses across the U.S. and the Philippines.

Phi Kappa Phi sought to “lift up our volunteers who keep us moving forward. Their commitment, service and hard work supports our mission of recognizing and promoting academic excellence in all fields of higher education.”

Reed serves as social media chair of UA Little Rock’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter. She was inducted in Phi Kappa Phi in 2004 while studying at Western Illinois University. She transferred her membership to UA Little Rock in 2016 when she arrived on campus. She has been involved as a chapter member in initiation ceremonies and helps maintain communication with the alumni base through social media. 

“I moved to the south to start a new job at a college campus and was feeling disconnected,” Reed said. “When I found Phi Kappa Phi on campus and started to get involved, I felt like I was finally home. The other faculty and staff involved with the Phi Kappa Phi chapter helped me navigate the university and welcomed me with open arms. The best thing I knew to do was to get more involved and volunteer!”

UA Little Rock’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter has been recognized in recent years as a Circle of Excellence Gold Chapter, the second-highest commendation a chapter can receive from the organization. The distinction is given to chapters that exceed expectations in chapter operations and that demonstrate sustainability and vitality.

In addition to her work student retention initiatives, Reed is also the leader of the CARE Team at UA Little Rock, is a graduate student in the Master of Public Administration program, and was recently honored as the 2021 Ben Fry Service to UA Little Rock Award winner.