A portion of each 小草影院 license plate registration goes to fund the 小草影院 License Plate Scholarship.

Ashley resides in Pleasant Grove, nearly two hours north of Conway, with her husband and two children. This business professional with two associates degrees found herself in an unfulfilling job with dreams to do more.

鈥淪omething inside awakens and pushes a person to do unthinkable things when they鈥檙e 30 years old, sitting in their vehicle outside of work, with thick tears coating their eyes as they try to pry their body from their seat to walk into work,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat type of despair can sink you or give you motivation. Luckily for me, I was able to use that experience to convince myself to go back to college and obtain my bachelor鈥檚 degree at 小草影院.鈥�

Returning to school to study computer information systems and analytics through online classes at 小草影院 meant Ashley would become a stay-at-home mom and their family would be reduced to a single income. 鈥淭his puts most of the financial strain on my husband as we are no longer a dual income household,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he scholarship is a way for us to be able to stay afloat while I work on my degree.鈥�

As Ashley finishes up her degree, she is excited about her future career and grateful to everyone who has a 小草影院 license plate. 鈥淵our earnest investment in my future goals will not be forgotten, she said. 鈥淚 can now continue as a full-time student and stay-at-home mom and get one step closer to achieving my academic goals.鈥�

Visit your local Arkansas Revenue Office or visit the to get your 小草影院 license plate today. The plate is $35 more than a regular plate and includes a $25 tax-deductible contribution to the 小草影院 Alumni Association for the 小草影院 License Plate Scholarship Program.

Lowe earned the Dr. Dana Leigh Fox English Education Scholarship, which was established by Dr. Emogene Fox 鈥�66 鈥�71 in honor of her daughter. 鈥淭his scholarship has helped me complete my education here at 小草影院. Your contributions to my education have meant the world to me,鈥� Lowe said.

Ever since she was a little girl, Lowe has dreamt of becoming a teacher. This dream was heavily influenced by her grandfather, who was a longtime public school teacher. 鈥淚 remember going out to shop with him and being amazed when his past students would stop him and gush about how amazing he was. I was drawn to that,鈥� Lowe continued. 鈥淗ow simply being present in a child鈥檚 life can ultimately change them and potentially alter the projection of their lives.鈥�

Lowe鈥檚 internship was spent with a 7th-grade class, which confirmed that this was what she was meant to do. 鈥淚 loved spending time with the kids and getting to know them,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 also loved getting to use the content and strategies I鈥檝e learned through my courses at 小草影院.鈥�

Lowe said she chose 小草影院 as her college home after touring the campus during her senior year of high school. 鈥淚 know 小草影院鈥檚 education department is one of the best in the state, so it only made sense to live the next four years of my life at such an amazing school,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y journey at 小草影院 has been incredibly rewarding, and I have loved seeing myself grow into an amazing educator.鈥�

Watch Lowe’s recent interview to hear more about the impact the Dr. Dana Leigh Fox English Education Scholarship has had on her life.

Learn more about 小草影院 Foundation Scholarships at聽.

Fellow members like Byron Galloway, Sr. 鈥�95 immediately jumped on board.聽 鈥淲e should never forget where we come from and the struggles we may have had to endure,鈥� said Galloway. 鈥淥ne of the struggles continues to be finances. Collectively, we all can do our part to ensure the institution that educated us continues to fulfill these same obligations to others for years to come.鈥�

Mirroring another chapter within the state, the Alpha Phi Alpha scholarship endowment was established within the 小草影院 Foundation as a fundraising challenge across the chapter. 鈥淎lphamen are very competitive with each other, so I thought if they could do it, why couldn鈥檛 our chapter do it for 小草影院,鈥� Scott said.

Within months, the group had already raised the $25,000 minimum to start the endowment.聽

鈥淚 was glad we reached 25 percent of our target in three months,鈥� Galloway said, 鈥渉owever, I was not surprised as we have dedicated members and when we set our mind to achieving a goal, everyone participates.鈥�

The chapter has set a goal of raising $100,000 by this December. 鈥淚 have faith in my [fraternity] brothers and hopefully we can reach $50,000 by the summer,鈥� Scott said.

Galloway said he hopes this scholarship provides the boost that is sometimes needed. 鈥淲e do not want financial limitations to be the reason for a member not achieving their educational goal of a degree,鈥� he said.

Scott said a scholarship he received during college eased the burden on his family and he hopes the Alpha Phi Alpha Scholarship Endowment will do the same for future generations. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think we should put ourselves in the position that only those who can afford the cost get an education and those that can鈥檛 afford the cost lose out,鈥� he said.

Galloway agreed and said scholarships played a pivotal role in assisting him with achieving his degree. 鈥淭hat is why I continue to give back to the Foundation and will continue to support this endowment for years to come.鈥�

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men in 1906. The fraternity鈥檚 mission is to develop tomorrow鈥檚 leader, promote brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy to their communities.

Chartering members of the Theta Psi Chapter at 小草影院 includes: Wendell Armstrong, Robert Balenton 鈥�74, Gary Brown, Walter Credit, Deodis Fleming 鈥�76, Herb Scott, Jr. 鈥�76, Richard Scott, Sr. 鈥�75 and Robert White, Jr.

To donate to the Alpha Phi Alpha Scholarship Endowment, please visit or mail a check made payable to 小草影院 Foundation with Alpha Phi Alpha Scholarship in the memo line to 小草影院 Foundation, 小草影院 Box 4986, Conway, AR 72035. If you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact the 小草影院 Foundation by phone at 501-450-5288.

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Richard Martin, Jr. 鈥�76, 鈥�77 and Susan Bell Setzler 鈥�83, 鈥�84 will be the recipients of the Karen Sullards Alumni Service Award. Carmeon Hamilton 鈥�08 will be the recipient of the Young Alumni Award, while Andrew Reynolds 鈥�12 will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award.聽

The quartet will be recognized on Friday, Oct. 27, as part of 小草影院鈥檚 Homecoming festivities. The Alumni Awards Celebration, which starts at 6:30 p.m., will take place in the McCastlain Hall Ballroom and is open to the public. Tickets are $25 per person and can be .

Additionally, the celebration will recognize former award winners as well as the Coming Home Queens, former 小草影院 Homecoming Queens who were selected in years ending in 3 (2013, 2003, 1993, etc鈥�).

鈥淭his year鈥檚 award recipients are each outstanding representatives of 小草影院,鈥� said Alison Taylor, executive director of alumni relations. 鈥淭heir remarkable accomplishments and support of the university set a benchmark for fellow alumni and strengthen the reputation of the university. We take great pride in honoring them for their dedication, service and meaningful contributions to the 小草影院 family.鈥�

The event will also memorialize the late Karen Sullards 鈥�72, 鈥�75, a two-time 小草影院 alumna and long-time Alumni Association volunteer who received the Alumni Service Award in 2012. The prestigious award will now be known as the Karen Sullards Alumni Service Award.

“As soon as news of Karen鈥檚 passing reached the Board, we knew we wanted to perpetuate her enduring legacy and unwavering commitment to both her alma mater and the Alumni Association,” Taylor said. “At her memorial service, we learned that being chosen for the 小草影院 Alumni Service Award was a source of profound pride for Karen. It became clear that the award should bear her name as a way to remember her and the innumerable things that she did for the university.鈥�

Karen Sullards Alumni Service Award

First awarded in 2007, the Karen Sullards Alumni Service Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, dedication, service and loyalty to 小草影院. This year鈥檚 award recipients are Richard Martin Jr. and Susan Bell Setzler.

Martin spent nearly 50 years at 小草影院 as a student, faculty member and coach. As a student, he lettered in both football and track & field for four years, earning All-American honors in the mile relay in 1974. He graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in education in 1976 before earning a master鈥檚 degree in education from 小草影院 in 1977.聽

Martin began his professional career as an assistant coach with the 小草影院 football and track teams, eventually serving as the head coach of both the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 track & field programs.

As an alumnus, Martin is a lifetime member of both the 小草影院 Alumni Association and 小草影院 Letterman鈥檚 Club and is a contributing member of the 小草影院 Purple Circle. He established a 小草影院 Foundation scholarship for future track & field and cross country athletes. He is also a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi, a member of the NAACP and of Mt. Gale Missionary Baptist Church.

鈥淚 was very happy and surprised when I received the phone call informing me that I had been selected for this award, it reminded me that all of my years of hard work and dedication with a spin of perseverance paid off,鈥� Martin said. 鈥淚 feel it is a great honor to get picked for the Alumni Service Award honoree. It鈥檚 a memory that I am grateful to carry me for the rest of my life. 小草影院 will always have a special place in my heart.鈥�

Setzler is also a two-time 小草影院 alumna, having earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in special education in 1983 and a master鈥檚 degree in speech-language pathology in 1984.

Setzler has served as executive director of the Miss 小草影院 Competition for the last 26 years and has been instrumental in raising over $80,000 in scholarships in that role. She has also been an advisor for Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority for 18 years and is an active member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Central Arkansas Alumnae Chapter.

Additionally, she has served as a Special Olympics volunteer for more than 15 years and has supervised countless aspiring speech-language pathologists during her 37 year public school career.

鈥淚 never expected to be recognized for my service to 小草影院 and others. Receiving this Alumni Service Award affirmed that good deeds, completed with humility and sincerity, are noticed,鈥� Setzler said. 鈥淥ver the years, it became evident to me that one of my purposes or my calling, is to invest in the lives of young women. I am extremely grateful to my husband, children, family, friends and former instructors for encouraging and supporting me all these years.鈥�

Young Alumni Award

The Young Alumni Award, first given for 2020, recognizes exceptional achievements in professional, public service and/or volunteer activities from alumni under the age of 40.

Carmeon Hamilton, winner of this year鈥檚 Young Alumni Award, earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in interior design from 小草影院 in 2008.聽

Owner of Nubi Interiors and CEO of Hamilton Media Inc., Hamilton has built a popular lifestyle blog and social media presence. She鈥檚 been named as one of nine rising

stars by Architectural Digest, voted among the Top 15 Interior Designers in Memphis by Builders Direct and featured in national publications such as Real Simple, House Beautiful, Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Living,, Domino and more. She is also a popular keynote speaker and podcast guest for a variety of organizations and industry associations.

In early 2021, Hamilton competed against seven other interior designers from across the country and won the title of HGTV鈥檚 Design Star: Next Gen! which resulted in her own design show, Reno My Rental.

鈥淚 was surprised and honored to be selected for this award,鈥� said Hamilton. 鈥溞〔萦霸� has a very special place in my heart for the people I met and the origin of a career I never could have imagined. Being honored completely brings 小草影院 to the forefront of my mind now. It鈥檚 easy to get swept away by life and responsibilities and we forget the foundational things that made us who we are.鈥�

Volunteer of the Year Award

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a 小草影院 alum who has made significant contributions to the university while volunteering on behalf of the Alumni Association.

This year鈥檚 recipient, Andrew Reynolds, completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree in public administration from the 小草影院 in 2012. As a student, he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity and the Association of Future Alumni.

Reynolds, an enterprise account manager with Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Little Rock, is a member of the 小草影院 Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a life member of the 小草影院 Alumni Association.

鈥淚n my time giving back to 小草影院, I have been surrounded by great people with servant hearts,鈥� Reynolds said. 鈥淭o be recognized amongst them is extremely humbling. I hope I can continue to exemplify an expectation of service seen by others connected to 小草影院. It is important to understand that this award is not an award for service that has been completed, but a thank you for dedication to 小草影院 that will continue throughout my lifetime. I am keeping the mindset that I am just out of the 鈥榮tarting blocks鈥� not at the finish line.鈥�

About Karen Sullards

A longtime supporter of 小草影院, Karen Sullards passed away in July in her hometown of Little Rock. She graduated from the then State College of Arkansas in 1972 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education before embarking on a 38-year teaching career. She taught for most of her career in Hughes, Arkansas, before joining the聽Pulaski County Special School District, where she served as a teacher, instructional specialist, assistant principal and principal. She was selected as the PTA Administrator of the Year in 2000 and received the Bobby G. Lester Excellence in Education Award for Administration in 2008.

Sullards was first elected to the 小草影院 Alumni Association Board of Directors in 1985. She served on the board again in 2003 and was elected president of the board in 2015. Even when she wasn鈥檛 an active member of the board, Sullards could be found volunteering at alumni events and was a popular fixture at Alumni and Friends tailgates. In 2012, she was the recipient of the Alumni Service Award that now bears her name.

Beyond her robust support for 小草影院, Sullards also had a positive impact on her community. Her passion for service involved volunteering in a variety of organizations, including Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church鈥檚 Stephen Ministry, Moms Demand Action, the Democratic Party of Arkansas and Volunteers In Public Schools (VIPS).

Homecoming 2023

The Alumni Awards Celebration is part of 小草影院鈥檚 Homecoming festivities. Other events include the 小草影院 Homecoming Parade, the Half-Century Club induction honoring the class of 1973 and the Bear Bash tailgate. A complete schedule of Homecoming events can be found on the 小草影院 website.

If you don鈥檛 already have a will, you can create one in just 20 minutes with the help of our partner, . It鈥檚 a completely free service, with lifetime access, for our alumni and friends.

Having a will:

• Ensures that your wishes are known.
• Ensures that your assets are distributed the way you choose.
• Helps you look after your loved ones.

You can also create a lasting legacy at 小草影院. Leaving a gift to the 小草影院 Foundation in your will is an easy way to make a difference for generations of future 小草影院 students.

National Make-A-Will Month is the perfect time to think about the future. Making a will today gives you a way to plan now and impact forever.

If you would like more information about using your will to leave a gift to 小草影院, please don’t hesitate to contact us at legacyplanning@uca.edu.

鈥淚 am very honored and humbled,鈥� Meaux said. 鈥淭o even be nominated reinforces the fact that I have earned respect from faculty and students. It鈥檚 a good feeling. There are a lot of really talented nurse educators in the state of Arkansas.鈥�

Meaux spent 14 years as a neonatal intensive care nurse before going to graduate school.

She earned a Master of Nursing Science degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1993 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from UAMS in 2001. She is a National League for Nursing (NLN) certified nurse educator and a member of the Nursing Administrative Council.

In 2015, Meaux was recognized as a聽Distinguished Scholar and Fellow聽of the National Academies of Practice. Four years ago, she participated as a scholar for an Experienced Nursing Faculty Leadership Academy presented by Sigma, an international community of nurses dedicated to the advancement of learning and service through practice, education and research.聽

The nurse educator award was given during the 16th Annual Nursing Expo hosted by Publishing Concepts, Inc. at the Jack Stephens Event Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on April 2. Publishing Concepts, Inc. is the nation鈥檚 largest publisher of state board of nursing journals, including the聽聽for the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

鈥淚 never necessarily planned a career in academia. I came because I needed a more flexible schedule,鈥� Meaux said. 鈥淎fter a few years, I really fell in love with academia. As a nurse I was affecting the health care of individuals. In academia, I feel like I鈥檓 affecting health care in a broader way by producing future health care providers. It is most rewarding to hear from students that we have prepared them well.鈥�

Meaux has demonstrated a passion for the practice of nursing and nursing education. In the nomination letter to the state board of nursing, 小草影院 professor Pam Ashcraft wrote that Meaux is dedicated to each student who comes through the school of nursing.

鈥淪he is loved and respected by faculty and students alike,鈥� Ashcraft wrote. 鈥淪tudents know that she is an advocate for their learning, and she pours her entire self into everything she teaches. She is the kind of nurse 鈥� actually, she is the kind of person 鈥� who inspires others to make a plan, take a risk and make a difference! Clearly, Dr. Meaux is an inspiration to all those who know her.鈥�

鈥淚 work with a very talented team,鈥� Meaux said. 鈥淭hat makes the job easier and enjoyable. All of us are focused on the students with ambitions of positively impacting health care for the future.鈥�

Community pantries are wooden boxes mounted on a post and are large enough to hold canned goods, cereal boxes, bags of pasta and other necessities. They are placed throughout the community near nonprofits, schools, businesses and residential neighborhoods and stocked by members of the community.

The three added locations in Faulkner County have been dubbed Precious Pantries by the WLA. The installations were completed in partnership with the 小草影院 AmeriCorps, 小草影院鈥檚 BearsServe Leaders and EngageAr.

Women鈥檚 Leadership Academy began in January 2022. Shaneil Ealy,聽associate vice president of outreach and community engagement at 小草影院 and co-director of the academy, says the academy seeks to give women skills for leadership capacity.

鈥淐ommunity service and community engagement is really important to us, and we have embedded that into the academy,鈥� Ealy said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Pine Street Community Museum. 鈥淚n January, we had a retreat and invited the Conductor to facilitate an innovation lab. In the retreat, we learned that poverty, homelessness and food insecurity were close to the hearts of many ladies in the academy.鈥�

The pantries coming to fruition, Ealy said, were the result of the inaugural c

lass answering the call to serve.

鈥淭his group of ladies embarked on a giant journey together six months ago. We are from all walks of life, political persuasions and faiths,鈥� said Laura King, a member of the inaugural class and agency engagement director at United Way of Central Arkansas. 鈥淲hen pitching ideas for the community project or the opening retreat, I noticed also that every idea focused on uplifting our neighbors. This Precious Pantry project emerged as the winner to bring the community together and love on our neighbors. But one pantry was not enough. We built three!鈥�

In addition to the Pine Street Community Museum, there are pantries located at the Faulkner County Senior Wellness and Activity Center and the Faulkner County Library.

鈥淭oday we are here celebrating not just the completion of a project but we鈥檙e celebrating our community,鈥� King said. 鈥淭hese are all places where people from every walk of life, every political persuasion and every faith can come together to learn, reminisce and help one another. So our hope is that these pantries will be a continuation of that. And as the motto says, 鈥楾ake what you need. Leave what you can鈥� and love your neighbors well.鈥�

Jamisa Nuness-Hogan, a member of the inaugural class and owner and director of聽 Kids World Child Care Center thanked those who made the pantries possible.

鈥淭his is very dear to our hearts and we want to keep paying it forward,鈥� Nuness-Hogan said.

About the Women鈥檚 Leadership Academy
The Women鈥檚 Leadership Academy (WLA), through the Women鈥檚 Leadership Network at the 小草影院, is dedicated to empowering, enriching and embracing women in our region and facilitating their leadership development. WLA is designed for those who identify as women and aspire to become bold leaders representing greater equity, inclusivity and excellence in their fields. Through expert speakers, hands-on experiences and community service, the participants of the Women鈥檚 Leadership Academy will develop customizable skills in a network of diverse women sharing a commitment to their own beloved community.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to add four outstanding members to our board of directors,鈥� said Alison Taylor, executive director of alumni relations. 鈥淭hey each add unique insight and exceptional experience to the board. But perhaps even more important is the tremendous enthusiasm each has for 小草影院, which will undoubtedly prove to be an asset to the board and to the university.鈥�

The 小草影院 Alumni Association Board of Directors develops and oversees the association鈥檚 programs and budget in an effort to help former students stay connected to the university and enhance the lifelong 小草影院 experience.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Carolyn Floyd Ishee 鈥�75 is a retired higher education administrator with more than 30 years of experience in fundraising and development. She worked in development at 小草影院 on three separate occasions. She first served as director of development from 1986-2002 before returning as a major gifts officer and director of planned giving from 2014-2016. Most recently, she was the senior development officer for the 小草影院 College of Education from 2019-2020.

Among her other positions, Ishee also had fundraising roles at Arkansas Tech University, the University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas Women鈥檚 University and Georgia College and State University.

Ishee earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English from 小草影院鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts (now the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences) in 1975 before completing a master鈥檚 degree in Liberal Arts at Southern Methodist University in 1990. While a student at 小草影院, Ishee was a member of Delta Zeta sorority, served as a Bear cheerleader and was a member of the Homecoming Court.

鈥淚 bleed purple,鈥� Ishee said. 鈥淚 am honored to continue my service to 小草影院 as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors.鈥�

Ishee is a life member of the 小草影院 Alumni Association and has served on the 小草影院 College of Education Advisory Board.

Aaron King 鈥�07 is currently the House Assistant Dean at Cornell University. During a nearly 15-year career in student services, he鈥檚 held positions at several prestigious universities, including Princeton, Stanford, Harvard and New York University.

King earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology and counseling from 小草影院 in 2007. He added a master鈥檚 degree in higher education from NYU in 2009 and a master鈥檚 of education in human development and psychology from Harvard in 2012. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in developmental psychology at Cornell.

While at 小草影院, King was a member of the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College and served in several leadership roles, including senior class president of the Student Government Association, co-director of the 小草影院 Student Orientation staff and vice president of Psi Chi, the international honorary society in psychology.

Additionally, King was a member of the Association of Future Alumni, served as a 小草影院 Admissions Ambassador in 2003 and 2004 and was on the Hall Council for Hughes Residential College. A member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, King served as the organization’s vice president of finance and was named Outstanding Greek Man in 2005 and 2006.

“Due to the impact of my own student experience at 小草影院, I’ve made a career in higher education supporting college students across the nation,鈥� King said. 鈥淪erving on the Board will allow me, even from a distance, to formally engage and give back to the place that continues to be my college home.”

King is a life member of the 小草影院 Alumni Association.

Jeremy S. Owoh 鈥�03 currently serves as the superintendent of the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. He began his career teaching English and creative writing before beginning a nearly 15-year career as an administrator.

Owoh earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English education from 小草影院 in 2003 before earning his master鈥檚 in secondary education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2005. He added an Educational Specialist鈥檚 degree from UA Little Rock in 2008 and his doctorate in educational administration in 2015.

As a student at 小草影院, Owoh was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the Bear Marching Band, the Student Orientation staff and served as a resident assistant for three different residence halls. He was also a 小草影院 Ambassador, participated in Army ROTC and was inducted into the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.

鈥溞〔萦霸� has given so much to me, personally, professionally and socially,鈥� Owoh said. 鈥淚t is without any hesitation that I look forward to giving back to my 小草影院 community!鈥�

Owoh is a life member of the 小草影院 Alumni Association and the 小草影院 Black Alumni Association. He is also a member of the Dean鈥檚 Council for the 小草影院 College of Education and serves as the chapter advisor for Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He is also a speaker for the Minority Mentorship program and a member of the College of Education’s Educational Leadership capstone project committee. In 2021, Owoh received the 小草影院 Alumni Service Award.

Keith Svagerko 鈥�91 is the vice president of administration and business development at CorInnova. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the health care business development field.

Svagerko earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in physics and astronomy from 小草影院 in 1991, graduating with magna cum laude honors. He completed a master鈥檚 in health administration from the University of Indiana in 1994 and earned an MBA from the University of Texas-Arlington in 1998.

During his time at 小草影院, Svagerko was a student in the Schedler Honors College and served as junior class vice president for the Student Government Association. He was a member of the Student Orientation staff, selected as a University Ambassador and was a class representative on the University Undergraduate Council.

Svagerko was chosen as president of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and was named 小草影院鈥檚 Greek Man of the Year in 1991. He finished as runner up for Sigma Tau Gamma National Man of the Year honors in 1991. He was also one of just two students to speak at then-Governor Bill Clinton鈥檚 televised press conference supporting a college bond issue.

鈥淚鈥檝e kept a connection to 小草影院 throughout my life and have valued and enjoyed staying involved as an alumnus, first in establishing an alumni chapter in Dallas several years ago, and currently serving in the Schedler Honors College chapter of the association,鈥� Svagerko said. 鈥淚 am excited to join the Board to contribute to the development of stronger relations between the university and its past students and to play an active role in all of its efforts.鈥�

Svagerko is a lifetime member of the 小草影院 Alumni Association and is currently serving as treasurer and secretary of the 小草影院 Honors College Alumni Board of Directors.

The four new appointees replace board members Ann Hoy, Rickela Mayo, Marilyn Porterfield and Aaron Knight, who have each completed their three-year terms. Knight will remain in an ex-officio role as immediate past president.

Board members Corey Parks, Blake Robertson and Sue Voegele are all returning for their second term.

For more information about the 小草影院 Alumni Board of Directors, including a complete list of board members, visit uca.edu/alumni/board-of-directors.

By Philip Allison

Janet Harris 鈥�95 was selected to lead the Institute by the organization鈥檚 board of directors. She had previously served as the Institute鈥檚 chief strategy officer.

鈥淐arrying forward Winthrop Rockefeller鈥檚 legacy of convening on Petit Jean Mountain is a tremendous honor, and I look forward to leading our organization into the future as we offer the place, people and process to help groups come together and effectively collaborate on important issues,鈥� Harris said.

Harris first joined the in 2016 as director of programs. She was promoted to chief programs and marketing officer in 2018 before being named the organization’s chief strategy officer in 2020. Before joining the Institute, Harris spent 20 years as a public administration professional in Arkansas holding several executive leadership roles in state government.

Harris began her new role on April 1. She replaces outgoing executive director/CEO Marta Loyd.

鈥淚 am grateful for the confidence of our board and President Bobbitt and the support of our excellent partners and employees,鈥� Harris added. 鈥淚 am also especially thankful for the support and mentorship of Dr. Loyd over these past six years.鈥�

Harris earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in public administration from 小草影院 in 1995. During her time in Conway, Harris was a four-year member of the 小草影院 women鈥檚 basketball team. She played in 100 games for the , averaging 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game as a senior.

In 2016, Harris was chosen as the Distinguished Alumnus for the 小草影院 Department of Political Science.

Harris earned a master鈥檚 degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1999. She is also an alumna of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 Leadership Arkansas, Class XI. She is currently pursuing an executive certificate in nonprofit leadership from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

By Philip Allison