NEA Business Notes: NYITCOM marks 10 years

In the early 2010s, a group of leaders from the education, healthcare and civic communities in Northeast Arkansas set out to help find a solution to the physician workforce shortage that was plaguing the state and region.

As a result, the group worked together to create New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM at A-State), which in 2016 became the first medical school to open in Arkansas in over 130 years.

Founding Dean Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, recently gathered at Embassy Suites in Jonesboro to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first osteopathic medical school in Arkansas and just the second medical school ever to operate in the state.

Ross-Lee was the vice president of medical affairs at New York Institute of Technology, which is based on Long Island, when she was approached by a group from A-State in 2013 who were seeking a partner to help open a medical school on the Jonesboro campus. The pitch: Arkansas ranked near the bottom of all states in number of practicing physicians per capita, and at the time, there was only one medical school in the state producing medical doctors to help address an ever-growing issue.

Ross-Lee was sold, and with the help of numerous clinical partners and the support of political leaders across the state, New York Institute of Technology and A-State formed a private-public partnership through which NYITCOM would rent space on the Jonesboro campus and open a medical school.   

First Community Bank Hires Secondary Mortgage Originator
First Community Bank has hired Javier Rodriguez in Batesville as a secondary mortgage originator. In his role, Rodriguez will assist customers with residential mortgage lending needs while helping guide individuals and families through the homebuying process.

Rodriguez brings approximately seven years of sales experience, most recently in the automotive industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish.

Jenni and Mason Andrews Win WBU Founders Awards
Williams Baptist University has presented its 2026 Founders Awards to graduating seniors Jenni and Mason Andrews. The two were honored May 9 at WBU’s commencement exercises by Williams President Dr. Stan Norman.

Jenni, who is from Russellville graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministries. Andrews is from Walnut Ridge, and earned bachelor’s degree in liberal arts.

The Founders Award is one of the highest honors bestowed upon students at WBU, and is awarded annually to one female and one male graduate. It recognizes students who best exemplify the university’s core ideals of integrity, leadership, and intellect. Recipients of the Founders Award are selected through a campus-wide nomination process involving university faculty and staff. 

Allen Engineering Promotes Vaughan To Territory Sales Rep
Allen Engineering has announced Casey Vaughan as the company’s new territory sales representative in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Vaughn has been with Allen Engineering for more than four years.

Most recently, he worked with contractors conducting equipment demonstrations, helping customers better understand Allen equipment and applications in the field. He also has a background in paving sales and experience in equipment assembly, and customer service.

A-State Staff Members Honored For Service
Staff members at Arkansas State University were honored for their retirement and milestone accomplishments during the annual Distinguished Performance Awards and Service Recognition Ceremony in Centennial Hall of Reng Student Union on May 11.

Those who have or will retire during the academic year include Malissa Davis, Ellis Library, 35 years; Jimmy Crocker, Facilities Management, 28 years; Anna Warren, Childhood Services, 19 years; Cameron Martin, Facilities Management, 14 years; Barbara Bland, Childhood Services, 14 years; Charlotte Booker, Information Technology Services, 12 years; Mary Williams, College of Nursing and Health Professions, 11 years; and Joe Boon, Facilities Management, nine years.

Honored for 45 years of service was Sharon Lee, director of community engagement and outreach for the office of Access and Accommodation Services. Honored for 40 years of service was Sharon McDaniel, records management supervisor for the Registrar’s Office.

Those honored for 35 years of service were Phillip Ladd, project manager in Construction Services, and Russ Hannah, vice chancellor for Finance and Administration. Those honored for 30 years of service were Natalie Turney, administrative assistant in the Department of English, Philosophy and World Languages and Cheryl Richey, custodial coordinator in Facilities Management.

Those honored for 25 years of service were Woodie Sue Herlein, out-of-school time projects coordinator in Childhood Services; Diana Courson, assistant director of Childhood Services; Laura Miller, director of Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center; Mia Sheppard-Taylor, director of Custodial Services; Eric Barnett, core network engineer and wireless administrator of Information Technology Services; Clay Hurn, Mail Center; and Sharon Rye, hardware engineer in Information Technology Services.

Those honored for 20 years of service were April Morris, Michael Glover, Mary Melton, Grady Clark, Amber Long Martin, Kayann Brown, Dwain Roberts, Randy Wheaton, Amber Jones, Melissa Jackson, Cheryl Wright, Christy Brinkley, and Jimmy Rousseau.

Those honored for 15 years of service were Ronnie Gilley, Christina Kostick, Carol Caldwell, Michael Bradley, Mark Freier, Shea Harris, Thomas Wilson, Chris Boothman, Lora Gibson, Cary Estes, Stephanie Gibson, Jesse Blankenship, Violeta Lugo, Alyssa Wells, Marsha Carwell, Vickie Gilmer, Edward Haff, and Alexis Hurdle Besharse.

Those honored for 10 years of service were Michael Hagen, Tammy Daffron, Terri Teters, Mollie Menton-Ipsen, Dale McClelland, Taylor Carpenter, Anne Merten, Avis Turner, Benjamin Housewright, Dallas Reece, Brandon Tabor, Tia Caldwell, Tara Thomason, Petree Buford, Robert Davenport, Cathy Naylor, Shannon Williams, Jackie Cox, Frazier Dixon, Devin Nelson, and Michelle White.

Waltz Appointed Dean Of College Of Nursing and Health Professionals
New executive leadership is coming to the Arkansas State University with the appointment of Dr. Stacy Walz as dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions (CONHP), after serving the school as interim dean.

A-State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin White Jr. announced the news ahead of the Spring Commencement ceremonies.

Most recently, Walz was interim dean of the CONHP, a position she’s held since 2025. She previously was associate dean and department chair of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. She also served as assistant dean for special projects at CONHP.