College of Education and Human Performance
- Tiauna Young ’16, marketing educator and DECA advisor at Pea Ridge High School, received the Association Career and Technical Education (ACTE) New Teacher of the Year award, allowing her to compete for the ACTE Region IV New Teacher of the Year in the spring. In fall 2021, she will compete at the national level for the same award. It recognizes Career and Technical Education leaders who have made significant contributions toward innovative and unique CTE programs.
- The Instructional Facilitator/LEAD Teacher M.Ed., one of a number of advanced programs offered to educators through SAU, is offered fully online. It provides teacher leaders the opportunity to hone their craft while learning to apply the acquired skills in assisting other educators. It is the first approved program of its type to be offered in Arkansas. Dr. Denise Moseley ’91, ’11, assistant professor of education, is the program director.
College of Liberal and Performing Arts
History professor Dr. Svetlana Paulson recently published her article, “Face to Face with the Tsars’ Capital: American Diplomats and Urban Spectatorship in Imperial St. Petersburg,” in the prestigious Journal of Russian-American Studies. The article is based on Dr. Paulson’s extensive research in American and Russian archives. A research grant sponsored her travels through SAU.
College of Science and Engineering
- The Master of Science in Agriculture program has been ranked fourth in the nation through OnlineSchoolsReport.com. The report encourages students to obtain an MS in Agriculture at SAU, noting the program incorporates modern technology into critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Student satisfaction with the program achieved 76.6 percent, and its admission rate registered 69 percent.
- Samantha Jones, a biology student at Southern Arkansas University, presented her research at the 104th Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Sciences, winning first place in the Medical Science and Parasitology division.
- Dr. Puska Chapagain, Dr. Lionel Hewavitharana (Albemarle Professor), and Dr. Abdel Bachri collaborated with researchers from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to discover the potential applications of gold nano dumbbells in future technologies such as nano/microelectronic circuitry, solar cells, and photonics. This work was published in March 2021 in the journal of the American Chemical Society, ACS Omega. The published article is an example of SAU’s core vision involving students in top-notch research projects and providing them with the highest level of education.
- A $20,000 Windgate Foundation grant was awarded to the SAU Foundation for Studio Art scholarships in the 2020-2021 academic year. Four scholarships were awarded to Kayla Morrow, Estelle Ramage, Jordan Scrivner, and Chanda Nail. All four students were brought to tears when they received word that they were selected as recipients of the Windgate Foundation Scholarship. The Windgate Foundation recently funded an additional grant of $25,000, expanding the annual scholarships available in the fall from four to five.
- Sarah Fincher ’21, who received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Southern Arkansas University, was named the 2021 Outstanding Student for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department and was recently accepted into the Texas Tech University Health Science Center Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Fincher credits her success to her experience as a Mulerider.
Rankin College of Business
- Dr. Jennifer Logan, Puterbaugh Professor of Free Enterprise and director of the SAU Center for Economic Education and Research (CEER), was named the 2021 Honor Professor at the end-of-year faculty ceremony. Dr. Logan earned a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Oklahoma and joined SAU’s faculty in 2007. At SAU, she teaches various classes in economics and finance, promoting economic decision-making and free enterprise. As CEER Director, Dr. Logan works with other educators to encourage economic education throughout the state and provide training opportunities for teachers in K-12 economics.
- The online MBA program, offered through the David F. Rankin College of Business is fully accredited body for colleges and schools of business. Fewer than five percent of all business programs worldwide are accredited by AACSB, which indicates the quality of the program offered at SAU.
- Southern Arkansas University is the most affordable online MBA program in Arkansas, according to rankings by College Consensus.
- The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) at Southern Arkansas University was honored for its quality rural outreach by receiving the 2020 SBA Arkansas Small Business Development Center of the Year award at a virtual awards ceremony. ASBTDC Director Janell Morton ’11 and business consultant Kristen Pickett Cribb ’16 were recognized for achieving performance milestones, helping new and established small businesses increase revenue and create and retain jobs, and opportunities for entrepreneurial development. As part of its innovative mission, the Center also educates the community about SBA programs and services.
- Rankin College of Business is adding a Healthcare Administration Degree approved to begin in fall 2021. The program was developed with help from alumni in the healthcare field. It will prepare graduates to understand and respect the value of people (patients, employees, community) in the healthcare system and prepare them to lead people, teams, and departments. The program will help meet the needs of the expanding healthcare industry and fit with other university healthcare degrees.
- The David F. Rankin College of Business at Southern Arkansas University announced the 2020 Hall of Fame Class, including Dr. David Rankin, president-emeritus of SAU; Mr. Ron LeMay ’67, managing director and co-founder of OpenAir Equity Partners and CEO of Main Street Data; and business honoree Murphy Oil Corporation. The Hall of Fame recognizes and memorializes remarkable business leaders and organizations for professional success, community service and dedication to SAU and the College of Business.
- Naija White, a junior majoring in Information Systems at the Rankin College of Business, has been selected for the inaugural class of the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program. White was among 15 successful applicants in this highly competitive process among those pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Naija will be placed in an internship at Windstream in Little Rock.
- Dr. Tim Wise, Jean McFadden Turner Professor of Business Management, had four cases selected for publication in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurial Cases edited by R. Stevens, M. Bressler, and L. Silver. The collection includes a case on Geauxsicles of Louisiana. Dr. Wise is well known for using the cases he writes on regional and national businesses in his courses.
