Duffield elected chair of ATU Board; academic programs reorganized

Stephanie Duffield has been elected chairman of the Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees for 2022. Duffield was appointed to a five-year term on the board by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in January 2018.

Duffield is a 2005 graduate of ATU with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a concentration in business. She is employed by Russellville-based Blackstone Construction and her previous work experience includes Microplane/Grace Manufacturing of Russellville and Heifer International, headquartered in Little Rock.

Duffield has given volunteer service to the ATU Foundation Board of Directors, the RussVegas Foot Races Foundation, the First United Methodist Church of Russellville’s Children’s Coordinating Committee, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Pope County Literacy Council. She and her husband, Luke Duffield, are parents to four daughters.

Other Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees officers for 2022 are Jim Smith of Fayetteville, vice chairman; and Len Cotton of Dardanelle, secretary. They are joined on the board by Bill Clary of Conway. A fifth member of the ATU Board of Trustees for 2022 will be appointed by Gov. Hutchinson to succeed Eric Burnett of Fort Smith, whose five-year term expired Jan. 14.

PROGRAM REORGANIZATION
The undergraduate and graduate academic programs on the Russellville campus at Arkansas Tech University will be reorganized under five colleges beginning with the 2022-23 academic year following approval by the ATU Board of Trustees.

The faculty-led process yielded a structure that will consist of the Graduate College, the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Business and Economic Development and the College of Education and Health. An academic restructuring committee consisting of ATU faculty members Dr. Jeff Bright, Dr. Rebecca Callaway, Tracy Cole, Dr. John Krohn, Dr. Jeremy Schwehm, Dr. Jamie Stacy and Dr. Georgeanna “Ann” Wright guided the process during the fall 2021 semester.

Below is a listing of the departments that will be housed in various college as of July 1, 2022.

• College of STEM
Biological Sciences
Engineering and Computing Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Physical and Earth Sciences

• College of Arts and Humanities
Art
Behavioral Sciences
Communication and Media Studies
English and World Languages
History and Political Science
Music

• College of Business and Economic Development
School of Business
Agriculture and Tourism

• College of Education and Health
Teaching and Educational Leadership
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Nursing
Emergency Management, Professional Studies and Student Affairs Administration