Awards of Distinction

Jaden Hatcher, of Chicago, Illinois, is a senior marketing-digital marketing major at App State.

After transferring to App State, Hatcher quickly became involved in the Black Student Association and currently serves as the organization's chief of staff. He also holds a leadership position in App State's Student Government Association (SGA), serving as director of SGA's Academic Affairs Committee.

Among his many other accomplishments at the university, Hatcher is a past recipient of the Division of Student Affairs' Rising Star Award. He was also the sole student member and served as president of App State's Pi Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. — the largest historically Black fraternity in the nation. On April 3, he led the initiation of four new members, successfully reviving the chapter.

"Jaden's ability to manage complex initiatives, mentor peers and advocate for positive change on campus embodies the spirit of Dean Ronny L. Brooks' legacy of out-of-class learning and student development," said Hatcher's nominator.

As an intern for App State's Mountaineers Athletic Fund, Hatcher performs a variety of duties for the initiative, including developing marketing campaigns to drive ticket sales, fan engagement and event attendance. He also works as a part-time audio visual technician in Plemmons Student Union.