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Health Education and Human Sciences | Lion VoicesMarch 26, 2026

An Appreciative Return to the Fort

Written By: Ian Silvester

After growing up in Fort Smith and graduating from Southside High School, Beck Pair was eager for a change of scenery. College was their opportunity to leave, and after experiencing life in central 香蕉视频APP, the chance to return home showed them that the grass might have been greener here all along. 

鈥淚 was ready to get out of Fort Smith for a little bit. None of the cool stuff at the Bakery District had happened yet. It was still kind of sleepy in Fort Smith. But while I was gone, it picked up a little bit,鈥� Pair said. 鈥淐oming back and working here, I have a new perspective on Fort Smith and the things and opportunities that are here.鈥� 

Pair attended the University of Central 香蕉视频APP, where they graduated with a degree in psychology in 2021. In the fall of 2024, a position opened in the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences as an administrative assistant for the Department of Human Sciences, and Pair saw it as an opportunity to put their degree to work. 

鈥淚 thought, 鈥極h, this is perfect,鈥欌�� Pair said. 鈥淢y degree gives me a lot of background knowledge and helps me run the department. I have more insight into the topics they鈥檙e talking about and the things that students need for labs or textbooks or whatever else.鈥� 

Pair said that, despite being from Fort Smith, working at the University of 香蕉视频APP 鈥� Fort Smith has given them a greater appreciation for the city and an excitement about what the university and community have to offer. 

It鈥檚 a sentiment Pair is happy to share with students who might feel the same way. 

鈥淭he idea of leaving and doing your own thing is appealing. But, to be realistic, that may not work out. I promise you, it鈥檚 not the end of the world, and it鈥檚 a cool spot,鈥� they said. 鈥淵ou can talk to me, and I can help you find stuff to do or help connect you with places you鈥檙e interested in. There are groups all over the city. I鈥檓 queer and so finding that space in Fort Smith is a little difficult, but it exist. 鈥� It鈥檚 about putting yourself out there, and I promise there鈥檚 something for you.鈥� 

Part of Pair鈥檚 role in their department is to show students what鈥檚 available to them on campus as well. They produce newsletters for psychology and social work, providing students with information of interest. 

Pair said that being close in age to current students makes it easier to create a newsletter that balances creativity and information to ensure students receive the messaging they need. 

鈥淚 feel like it definitely makes me a more effective communicator,鈥� they said with a smile. 

For the time being, Pair enjoys not being a student, but said having a job in higher education keeps the idea at the forefront. 

鈥淚鈥檓 kind of surprised by it,鈥� they joked. 鈥淚鈥檝e thought about getting a master鈥檚 in student affairs or higher education administration, which was not even remotely in my sphere of what I wanted to do before I started here.鈥� 

Before Pair embarks on pursuing more education, they encourage anyone, especially psychology or social work students, to pop into their office in Vines. Pair is happy to discuss classes, clinics, information sessions, mental health, or to nerd out on books or Dungeons and Dragons. Overall, Pair is just happy to have found their way back home, to a place where while it鈥檚 easy to want to leave, staying is rewarding. 

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• College of Health Education and Human Sciences
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• Department of Human Sciences