Avery Gilbert Joins St. Thomas Campus Ministry Staff

The recent University of Arkansas graduate transitions from intern to a full-time staff member in Fayetteville.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Internships

Empty sunlit wooden pews inside a traditional brick chapel with large arched windows. — Avery Gilbert has transitioned from a summer intern to a full-time staff member at the St. Thomas campus ministry in Fayetteville. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Twenty-two-year-old Avery Gilbert has accepted a full-time role within the campus ministry at St. Thomas. This transition follows her completion of a summer internship at the Fayetteville campus church.

Why it matters

Gilbert moved into the permanent position to provide service and support to the community that fostered her during her undergraduate years. Her new role aims to expand the ministry's reach through new student programming and increased opportunities for community prayer.

Avery Gilbert is a 22-year-old graduate who holds a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders. Her transition follows the February 2026 dedication of the new campus church building in Fayetteville.

The players

Avery Gilbert

She is a 22-year-old University of Arkansas alumna who previously attended Texas Christian University.

St. Thomas

This is a campus church and ministry site located in Fayetteville that supports the student population.

The details

After graduating from the University of Arkansas in May 2026, Gilbert leveraged her experience from a summer ministry internship to join the staff full-time. She intends to utilize her academic background in communication to increase student engagement within the church.

February 2026: The new campus church building was dedicated.
May 2026: Avery Gilbert graduated from the University of Arkansas.
Summer 2026: Gilbert completed her internship at St. Thomas.
Fall 2026: The campus church entered its first full semester in the new building.

Market Landscape

This move follows the documented trend of increased campus-based ministry engagement after the completion of new religious infrastructure. It reflects a shift toward scaling operations to meet the capacity provided by the university's recently opened facilities.

Students at the University of Arkansas can expect new programming opportunities and expanded service hours at the St. Thomas facility. These additions are designed to improve student access to ministry services throughout the academic year.

The takeaway

This staffing change highlights the importance of institutional continuity as universities expand their campus footprint. Readers can look for new programming announcements in the coming months as the ministry grows its offerings.