Carnival of Clubs helps Business Students find Connection and Community at UA Little Rock

University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Business students recently had a chance to connect and find their place on campus through the Carnival of Clubs, which showcases various organizations and programs — all under a festive atmosphere.

With music playing, and plenty of snacks and refreshments, the Sept. 3 event brought together students, faculty, and organizations from across campus so students could meet the people behind them and explore ways to make the most of their college experience beyond the classroom. Groups such as Beta Alpha Psi, the Finance and Economics Association, Study Abroad, Career Services and Trojan Athletics were among those represented, giving students a chance to explore opportunities ranging from professional development and career preparation, to campus involvement and experiences beyond UA Little Rock. 

The Carnival of Clubs has been bringing together business students for over a decade. 

“Students organized the first Carnival 13 years ago with the goal of building community among business students,” said Mark Funk, director of the School of Business. “In the years since, Carnival has become part of the business school identity for both students and faculty.”

The School of Business Ambassadors brings students together to represent the college while building their leadership and professional skills. Ambassadors can network with local business leaders, mentor and recruit other business students, participate in community service projects, and share student perspectives with school leadership.

For Owen Church, that role fits naturally alongside his other campus involvements. As a junior finance and accounting double major, School of Business Ambassador, track and cross-country athlete, vice president of the UA Little Rock Student Athlete Advocacy Committee, and member of the Student Council for the Unisun Conference, he has seen how connections with peers, faculty, and campus organizations can shape the student experience. 

“As ambassadors, we really want to be a resource for students in the School of Business and help bridge the gap between students and faculty and staff,” said Church. 

A new organization taking shape on campus is Women Entering Business (WEB), which is currently in the process of becoming a registered student organization. Marketing sophomores Abby Jones and Julie Magaña are championing the group.

They want to build a community where women in the School of Business can connect, form professional relationships, and support each other. Jones and Magaña hope to invite professionals working in the business field to share their career stories and talk about how they navigated the industry.

Growing up, Jones and Magaña both noticed how important it is for young women to feel confident in what they want to pursue; now that they are finding their own paths in business, they’ve developed an even greater understanding of how valuable trust and self-confidence are when chasing goals, they explained. Starting WEB is a way for them to help others also achieve their business aspirations.

That sense of connection was central to the Carnival of Clubs. With so many opportunities in one place, the event showed students how their college experience can extend beyond the classroom. Whether they were looking to build professional connections, explore careers, get involved on campus, or find a community, the Carnival of Clubs gave them a starting point for making the most of their time in the School of Business.