The University of Central Arkansas is home to around 200 Registered Student Organizations, one of which is Dancers United. Founded in 2009, Dancers United has not always been united.

UCA used to have two dance groups: Top Knotch and Unlimited. For the greater good of campus camaraderie, the groups joined forces to become Dancers United.

Dancers United is not only a dance group, but a networking organization that has helped members of the group obtain spots on professional teams and have doors opened that they otherwise would not have.

Some members have seen firsthand the opportunities that DU can bring to the table. 

Ashley Miller is the current president of Dancers United. Now a Senior, she has been serving as president for two, going on three years.

Miller has been dancing since the fifth grade when she decided to join her middle school’s dance team. A natural talent, she was choreographing for herself and others as early as 10th grade when she was awarded captain of a majorette team while in high school. 

Incredibly proud of Dancers United and its growth in the past decade, Miller attributes DU to helping her achieve membership in a professional dance and choreo group, The FULFHEEL.ING Experience, which she also happens to be president of. 

“I would love everyone to know that Dancers United isn’t all about dancing, it’s so much more,” Miller said. “We work to improve our resumes, we serve our community and we build leaders and future mentors. Every rehearsal is a life lesson that’ll build not only their professional careers but academic careers as well.” 

Blessing Odusola, a UCA graduate in the process of getting her masters, took on the role of vice president in fall 2022. She has been a member of DU since 2018. 

“It’s brought a world of connections I otherwise would not have had, especially within the dance industry,” Odusola said of the benefits of being in DU. “It really fostered one of my major career paths and shaped the foundation of what that looks like for me today.” 

If you are interested in DU’s upcoming events, make sure to check out the event that keeps campus talking: “The Valentine’s Soiree: Lost, Lust, Love.” The soiree will be held Feb. 14 at the Ronnie Williams Student Center ballroom and doors open 6:30 p.m.

There will be a special guest appearance made by The FULFHEEL.ING Experience, which both Miller and Odusola are members of. 

The Soiree involves participation from other RSO’s showcasing their members’ talents, including singers, dancers, poets, artists and education in a way that is both entertaining and liberating. 

“The Valentines Soiree emphasizes sex education, community, self-growth, and individual exploration amongst other things,” Odusola said. 

The soiree is a perfect opportunity to get out of the house, whether you have V-Day plans with your boo after or want to laugh with your friends and maybe even make some new ones. 

“Anyone can come to our event with no judgment or persecution. We welcome everyone. Everyone deserves a chance to feel loved, especially in today’s time,” Odusola said. 

If you want to get involved with the dance group, practices are every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 p.m. in the Farris Center. There is also a form in their Instagram bio, @uca_du, that you can fill out and find out more information.