Sharon Strong named director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery

Jim Hudson, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), announced Thursday (June 13) that Sharon Strong has been appointed director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. The Lottery is a division of DFA.

Strong joins the Lottery from the office of Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin where she was senior assistant Attorney General. In this role, Strong supervised special agents and attorneys who investigate and prosecute criminal fraud and abuse. She also played a role in drafting and supporting legislation to protect vulnerable Arkansans.

“Sharon has been an advocate for Arkansans throughout her career,” said Hudson. “She understands the mission of the Lottery is supporting Arkansas’ students through scholarships, providing resources to allow them to thrive. She will build strong relationships with all our partners, including the Arkansas General Assembly, to maximize Lottery’s impact in a responsible manner. I’m proud to welcome her to the Scholarship Lottery and DFA.”

Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, Strong was a deputy prosecuting attorney in Pulaski County and Perry County. She was also a staff attorney for the Public Service Commission and Disability Rights Arkansas.

“I am thankful to the governor and Secretary Hudson for the opportunity to lead the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery,” said Strong. “Lottery has a senior leadership team with decades of experience and institutional knowledge. Working as a team with all stakeholders, the Lottery will positively impact future generations of Arkansans”

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery was approved by voters in 2008. Since that time, the Lottery has provided students more than 770,000 scholarships totaling $1.4 billion.