ASU hires new studies abroad director; new trustee appointed by governor
by January 16, 2017 4:40 pm 534 views
A director’s position that may have cost former Arkansas State University Chancellor Tim Hudson his job in August has been filled. ASU has hired Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Gomis to become the school’s studies abroad program director beginning Feb. 1.
“It is with honor and great pleasure that I am joining the Office of Global Initiatives at Arkansas State University as director of the studies abroad programs,” Gomis said. “I look forward to engaging the campus constituencies in promoting study abroad opportunities that respond to the different needs of our students and educators.”
Gomis, who has 13 years of experience in international education, U.S. and international member relations management, and study abroad advising was the regional director of international member relations for International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP) in Arlington, Virginia. She also served four years as the director that oversaw ISEP operations Africa, the Middle East, and the southeastern U.S. ISEP is a non-profit organization that helps students overcome financial and academic barriers to study abroad, according to information released.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Gomis join Arkansas State University,” ASU Global Initiatives Executive Director Dr. Thilla Sivakumaran said.
The director’s job has been open since Hudson resigned in August. An internal audit revealed he tried to use his position to ensure his wife, Dee Dee Hudson, was appointed to the post. When he learned she couldn’t serve as the full-time director per state law because she was related to him, he kept the position open and paid her to work as the director in a part-time capacity – something that was permitted under state law.
Auditors also discovered Hudson used his position to funnel $250,000 to a Spanish-based vendor, Multisense. Hudson sat on the company’s board of directors. It provided services for ASU international students in Spain, but the company didn’t have a formal contact with ASU.
Hudson also received free trips abroad, a violation of state law. He also tried to use his position to influence several medical school admission offices to accept a relative at a reduced tuition cost. These, and other acts by Hudson, could be violations of Arkansas ethics laws. He has not been charged with any ethics violations or crimes to this point.
In other ASU business, Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Price Gardner of Little Rock to the ASU Board of Trustees. Gardner, a 1984 ASU graduate will fill a five-year term. He will replace Howard Slinkard of Rogers.
“Mr. Gardner is a highly regarded A-State alumnus who is well known in the Arkansas legal and financial communities,” ASU President Chuck Welch said. “He has been very active with the university through the years, and we’re proud to have another A-state alumnus contributing to the growth and success of the ASU system.”
Gardner is a partner in the state’s largest law firm, Friday, Eldredge and Clark LLP in Little Rock. A four-year letterman in football at ASU, Gardner received his law degree from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock Law School in 1988. He is a member of numerous boards and civic organizations including the Arkansas and American Bar associations and the Red Wolves Foundation.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve my alma mater and the rest of the ASU system, and I appreciate Gov. Hutchinson for giving me this opportunity,” Gardner said.