Campus Talk: Deputy Education Post, Computer Science Leader Named

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STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FILLS TWO TOP POSITIONS
State Education Department Commissioner Johnny announced that Dr. T. Mark Gotcher, currently superintendent of the Atkins School District, has been tabbed as the new deputy commissioner. In addition, the department has selected Anthony Owen as the new coordinator of computer science.

Both Gotcher and Owen will begin their new roles on July 1.

Gotcher replaces Dr. Mike Hernandez, who was named the new superintendent of the Hot Springs School District, and Tony Wood, who will serve as the new superintendent of the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District.

As deputy commissioner, Gotcher will assist ADE staff, legislators and school districts with finance, legislation and other education issues. He has served as superintendent at Atkins since 2013. Prior to that role, he was principal at Crawford Elementary School in Russellville from 2007 to 2013, assistant principal at Russellville Junior High School from 2005 to 2007, and assistant principal at Russellville Middle School from 2001 to 2005.

In his role, Owen will serve as the leader of the computer science initiative in Arkansas. He will coordinate with Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Computer Science Task Force to identify the state’s computer science and technology needs. He will also develop an Arkansas Computer Science Network to connect teachers and representatives from higher education and business and industry to ensure ADE’s efforts in computer science are relevant to current trends.

A-STATE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ESTABLISHES TREASURY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Arkansas State University College of Business has established a Center for Treasury Management to deliver educational opportunities to students majoring in corporate treasury management. The treasury management curriculum will emphasize the management of firms’ global cash holdings, financial institution relationships, forecasting and financial planning.

UA ENTREPRENEURIAL TEAM SNAGS TOP REYNOLDS BUSINESS PLAN PRIZE
Under the direction of Dr. Carol Reeves, University of Arkansas graduate students Kenny Bierman and Phillip Turner received top honors in the Donald W. Reynolds Tri-State Collegiate Business Plan competition held recently in Las Vegas. The team’s venture, Kordate Solutions, focuses on developing a therapeutic Alzheimer’s drug using the peptoid JPT1 to treat Alzheimer’s disease from early on-set to severe dementia. Read more on their success as well as the pitch competition winners from ASU at this link.

CAMPUS CONCIERGE CEO NAMED 2015 YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Anna Morrison is an articulate entrepreneur running a successful and growing tutoring business blocks away from the University of Arkansas. She is the CEO and director of operations of Campus Concierge, located in the Hathcock Building at the corner of Dickson and Block streets.
She also is the 2015 Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Arkansas District of the U.S. Small Business Administration. What all does this 25-year old entrepreneur oversee and where is her business headed? Read more in this profile.

BILL STOVALL: WORKFORCE INCENTIVES ARE IMPORTANT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Bill Stovall, former Arkansas House Speaker, is executive director of Arkansas Community Colleges, a nonprofit association representing Arkansas’ 22 public community colleges. In a guest commentary for TB&P, he offers his view on why workforce incentives to retool Arkansas workers are just as important as financial investments to bring superprojects to the state. Read his full take here.