National Park College (NPC) student Tikima Simpkins is seeking her Associate of Liberal
Studies.
Simpkins is an Honors Program student and serves as the president of the Helping Hawks
food pantry. She became involved in the campus food pantry to learn more about how
it serves the campus community through an internship offered by the Honors Program.
Simpkins learned of the College Hunger Summit that was hosted by Honors Arkansas and
the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. This statewide hunger summit raised awareness
of food insecurity amongst colleges.
Honors program director Dr. Christopher Thrasher said, “Tikima Simpkins presented
an excellent research project at the hunger summit which was focused on helping hungry
students who attend National Park College. The students that we feed today will become
the police officer that will protect us, the business owner that will employ us, or
the doctor that will heal us tomorrow. By helping feed the hungry, Simpkins helps
National Park College improve the lives of all Arkansans.”
Simpkins efforts earned NPC a $1,000 grant that will assist with purchasing shelving
for the pantry.
Helping Hawks faculty advisor Dr. Chuck Burke said, “Tikima has been a very active
president. She represents the Helping Hawks Food Pantry at various campus events and
volunteers twice a week at the pantry.”
“I have enjoyed my time serving as HHFP President, and I will continue to serve as
an alumnus if Dr. Burke allows me to do so,” noted Simpkins.
