At Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech), we believe in shining a light on those who make a difference behind the scenes -- the unsung heroes of our community. These individuals dedicate their time, energy, and compassion to uplifting others without seeking recognition. The Betty J. Lewis Memorial Scholarship was created to honor such individuals, recognizing selfless service, quiet leadership, and unwavering dedication to education and community.

What is an Unsung Hero?

An unsung hero is someone who makes powerful contributions to the lives of others without expecting praise. They lead with humility, serve with heart, and make a lasting impact through dedication and compassion. At SAU Tech, this spirit is embodied in the legacy of Betty J. Lewis, whose life and work continue to inspire generations.

The Betty J. Lewis Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an individual who demonstrates:

• Selfless Service: A commitment to helping others and actively engaging with the community.

• Leadership Without the Spotlight: A person who inspires and leads by example, not for recognition, but because it's the right thing to do.

Each month, the SAU Tech Scholarship committee carefully reviews nominations and selects one individual who best represents these values.

September's unsung hero

Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) proudly recognizes Courtney Haygood as its September Unsung Hero. A Camden, Arkansas, native and dedicated higher education professional, Haygood has spent his career supporting students, developing future leaders, and giving back to the community that helped shape him.

Through his work as Dean of Student Life & Housing at Southern Arkansas University Tech, Haygood has made student success, engagement, leadership development, and student well-being central to his professional mission. His commitment to serving students extends far beyond his job description, reflecting a belief that meaningful leadership begins with showing up, listening, advocating, and investing in others.

A Camden, Arkansas, Native with a Passion for Education

Born and raised in Camden, Arkansas, Courtney Haygood is a proud graduate of Harmony Grove High School, Class of 2003. His connection to the Camden community has remained an important part of his personal and professional journey.

After graduating from Harmony Grove, Haygood continued his education at Southern Arkansas University (SAU) in Magnolia, Arkansas. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in May 2008 and a Master’s Degree in Student Affairs and Counseling in May 2011.

While attending SAU, Haygood became deeply involved in campus life. He participated in several student organizations, including:

• SAU Band

• Student Activities Board

• Student Council

• Genesis Ministries Choir

• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

His involvement in these organizations provided valuable experiences in student engagement, leadership, campus programming, student safety, and student well-being.

Those experiences helped shape his understanding of what students need to feel connected, supported, and successful—and ultimately helped prepare him for a career in higher education and student affairs.

Serving Students at Southern Arkansas University Tech

Today, Haygood serves as the Dean of Student Life & Housing at Southern Arkansas University Tech, where he has spent the past eleven years working to improve the student experience.

His primary areas of responsibility include Student Life and Housing, while his leadership also extends to several other areas of campus life and student development.

Haygood provides leadership for initiatives involving:

• Student activities

• Residential life and housing

• Campus programming

• Student retention

• Title IX

• Athletics

• Student engagement

• Student development

Through these responsibilities, he works to create a campus environment where students feel supported, connected, valued, and empowered to achieve their academic and personal goals.

For Haygood, serving students is about more than completing the duties associated with a position.

It is about going above and beyond the call of duty.

Going Above and Beyond for Students

Haygood believes that serving students means recognizing that responsibility extends beyond a job description.

Going above and beyond means showing up when students need support. It means listening when they need to be heard, advocating when they need someone in their corner, and doing what is necessary to help them move forward.

This philosophy has become an important part of his approach to student affairs and higher education leadership.

Haygood understands that students bring more to college than grades and academic goals. They bring unique experiences, talents, challenges, dreams, and potential.

Creating an environment where students can thrive requires recognizing the whole person.

That belief continues to guide his work at SAU Tech.

Leadership at SAU Tech and Beyond

During his eleven years at Southern Arkansas University Tech, Haygood has had numerous opportunities to serve in leadership positions and contribute to the success of both students and the institution.

He has served on committees, participated in campus initiatives, supported student organizations, and collaborated with faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners.

These experiences have allowed him to strengthen his leadership skills while building relationships throughout the SAU Tech community.

His commitment to professional and community leadership also led to additional opportunities for development.

In 2018, Haygood was selected to represent SAU Tech as a member of Camden Leadership. The experience provided an opportunity to further develop his leadership skills while strengthening his connection to the Camden community.

In 2019, he participated in the Arkansas Community Colleges Leadership Institute, expanding his experience and knowledge as a higher education leader.

These leadership opportunities reflect his commitment to continuous growth and his belief that effective leaders should always be willing to learn, collaborate, and serve.

Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders

Haygood's commitment to student development doesn't end with his work at SAU Tech.

He also serves as the Chapter Advisor for the Lambda Kappa Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at Southern Arkansas University.

This role gives Haygood another opportunity to give back to the university that helped shape his own life while mentoring and developing future leaders.

As a Chapter Advisor, he provides students with guidance, encouragement, accountability, and support. His goal is to help young people recognize their potential, develop their leadership abilities, and become the individuals they are capable of becoming.

For Haygood, mentorship is an important part of leadership.

He understands that helping someone succeed doesn't always mean giving them the answers. Sometimes, it means helping them recognize their own abilities and encouraging them to believe in what they can accomplish.

Giving Back to Camden and South Arkansas

As a lifelong Camden resident, Haygood takes great pride in giving back to his community.

His professional and personal experiences have reinforced his belief that investing in young people is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen a community.

Through his work in higher education, student affairs, leadership development, and mentorship, he continues to invest in the next generation of students and leaders across South Arkansas.

His connection to Camden also gives him a unique perspective on the importance of creating opportunities for young people close to home.

Haygood's story demonstrates how individuals can grow through their communities, receive support from others, and ultimately return that investment by helping the next generation succeed.

A Student-Centered Philosophy

At the heart of Haygood's work is a simple but powerful belief: students are more than their academic achievements.

Every student has a story.

Every student has unique experiences, talents, challenges, and potential.

And every student has the ability to make a difference.

Haygood believes the greatest impact of higher education is not measured solely by the number of degrees awarded or students who walk across a graduation stage.

Instead, he believes the true measure of success can be found in the lives touched, leaders developed, and futures shaped along the way.

That philosophy is reflected in the everyday work of student affairs.

Sometimes it happens through a campus program or student organization. Sometimes it happens in a residence hall. Sometimes it happens during a difficult conversation or a simple moment when a student needs someone to listen.

Those moments matter.

And Haygood has dedicated his career to making sure students know they matter, too.

A Legacy of Service, Leadership, and Mentorship

Courtney Haygood's journey is one of education, leadership, service, and giving back.

From his beginnings as a Camden student to his experiences at Southern Arkansas University and his current role at Southern Arkansas University Tech, he has built a career focused on helping others discover their potential.

As Dean of Student Life & Housing, he works to create a supportive and engaging college experience for SAU Tech students. Through his work with student organizations and campus initiatives, he contributes to the broader student experience. Through his role with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., he mentors young leaders and helps prepare them for the future.

And through his connection to Camden, he continues to give back to the community that helped shape him.

His impact may not always be measured in headlines or awards. Instead, it can be seen in the students who feel supported, the young leaders who gain confidence, and the individuals who discover that someone believes in their potential.

Celebrating September's Unsung Hero

Southern Arkansas University Tech proudly recognizes Courtney Haygood as its September Unsung Hero.

A Camden, Arkansas, native, higher education leader, student advocate, mentor, and community servant, Haygood represents the kind of leadership that makes a lasting difference.

His commitment to student success, student development, mentorship, higher education, and community leadership serves as an example of what it means to lead through service.

His story is a reminder that leadership isn't always about being the person at the front of the room.

Sometimes, leadership is simply being the person who shows up.

The person who listens.

The person who encourages.

The person who advocates.

The person who helps a student see a future they may not yet see for themselves.

For Courtney Haygood, that is what serving students is all about.

And through his continued dedication to Southern Arkansas University Tech, Southern Arkansas University, Camden, and the next generation of leaders, his impact continues—one student, one conversation, and one opportunity at a time.