December 3, 2024
To the Members of ASMSA’s Community of Learning:
As dedicated supporters of ASMSA, you are already aware of the extraordinary opportunities we provide for Arkansas’s most talented students. Through rigorous academics, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive residential community, we prepare our students both those on campus as well as thousands served each year through various programs not only for academic success but also for leadership in our state and beyond. None of this would be possible without the steadfast support of the Arkansas General Assembly.
ASMSA is a unique statewide institution, one of only a handful in the nation, and is funded almost exclusively by the state legislature. This reliance on state funding makes it essential that we continue to advocate passionately and effectively for our school’s needs. Advocacy is not just about maintaining funding; it’s about ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of a school that has become a cornerstone of Arkansas’s educational excellence for more than three decades.
Education, particularly higher education, will be a focus of the 95th Arkansas General Assembly when it convenes in January. Our goal is to seek opportunities for ASMSA to continue to grow and thrive in this new era of school choice created by the LEARNS Act in the previous session. To do so, legislators need to hear from you our parents, alumni, faculty, and community partners about the transformational impact this school has on students and on Arkansas as a whole. Personal stories resonate deeply. Share how the school has shaped your child’s future, contributed to your community, or strengthened Arkansas’s workforce through its exceptional graduates.
When reaching out to legislators, keep these points in mind:
1. Highlight the Value: Our school equips students with the skills needed to thrive in STEM fields, creative industries, and beyond. Graduates often return to Arkansas as innovators, educators, and leaders who give back to the state.
2. Celebrate the Reach: As a statewide institution, we serve students from every corner of Arkansas, ensuring equity of access to top-tier education regardless of zip code.
3. Emphasize the Outcomes: From national competition wins to groundbreaking research and exceptional college completion rates, the outcomes speak for themselves.
Advocacy doesn’t have to be daunting. A letter, an email, or even a quick conversation can make a difference. Your voice matters. Together, we can ensure that ASMSA continues to thrive and remains a beacon of excellence for generations to come. Thank you for your continued support and for standing with us in this important work.
Sincerely,
Corey Alderdice Executive Director
Office of the Executive Director
December 2024 Quarterly Report
Corey Alderdice, ASMSA Executive Director
By the Numbers
• ASMSA full-time faculty average 15.6 years of instructional experience and 10.6 years with our campus.
• 40.5% of ASMSA students this year identify as either a person of color or from multiple ethnicities.
• A record 40% of students qualify for federal school meals programs this year, based on USDA guidelines. ASMSA leads our benchmark institutions in access for low-income students and more than doubles the average of our national cohort.
ASMSA tops in state, No. 31 in nation in Niche.com rankings
The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts once again is the top public high school in Arkansas and as well as the top 1 percent of schools across the nation in the 2025 Niche.com rankings. Niche.com is a website that provides in-depth profiles on thousands of colleges, K-12 districts and individual schools across the nation. Parents and students use Niche’s information to find the right school for them. It released its 2025 rankings on Sept. 27.
For the third straight year, ASMSA is No. 1 on the website’s Best Public High Schools in Arkansas list. The school is also rated as top in the state in Niche.com’s Best College Prep Public High Schools in Arkansas and Best High Schools for STEM in Arkansas lists. The school is No. 31 out of more than 20,700 public high schools included in the website’s national rankings, improving 15 spots from the 2024 edition. It is the only public high school in Arkansas to be ranked in the top 150 nationally.
ASMSA earned an A-plus Overall Niche Grade as well as A-plus grades in the individual categories of Academics, Teachers, College Prep, Resources and Facilities, and Clubs and Activities. To view ASMSA’s profile, visit https://asmsa.me/nicheprofile.
Facilities and Next Steps in the Campus Transformation
All outstanding elements of the Campus Administration Building have been completed over the course of the fall semester. The final elements of the project were resurfacing the fire lane leading to the Student Center, parking enhancements along Pine Street, and re-opening the long dormant service drive that leads to the upper parts of campus. That work will be important for the ongoing transition of maintenance facilities to that zone over the next year.
Campus leadership continues to be in close contact with the City of Hot Springs regarding the exit from the former St. Joseph Hospital complex. As of late November, access to the complex has been closed to the rest of campus. Maintenance and janitorial staff have moved their equipment and supplies, which is nearing completion. We have experienced some delays with getting surplus items processed through the state M&R office, which will delay the handoff until the end of January. This should not cause issues as the City also is transitioning some of their spaces and has not returned full control of one of the existing metal buildings for full ASMSA use.
The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees granted project approval and affirmed the campus’ selection of Architects Plus of Fort Smith as the design professionals for the new Maintenance Building. The new Maintenance Building will provide auxiliary space for campus operations, included offices for facilities leadership as well as contract MPE service providers. The facility will be adjacent to other warehouse style storage buildings behind the residential zone of campus. The approximately 4,000 sq. ft. facility will also allocate space for a woodshop that supports the visual arts and design programs on campus. While other arts classrooms were able to be relocated from the hospital complex, there is no current space in the Academic Building to address this specialized need. Should the budget scope allow, we will consider minor exterior cosmetic enhancements to the two existing buildings to ensure a cohesive design. Design work will begin in the new year with tentative completion in mid-2026.
Dr. Morris has convened a working group to explore the potential of an approximately 5,000 square feet Fitness Center project as another transitional facility. The Fitness Center was previously located in the hospital complex and is a space that will be lost in the interim. While Student Life has reached out to potential gyms in town for temporary solutions, there is consensus that wellness spaces for students on campus should be a greater priority. Construction of the facility would be located at the back of campus behind the Student Center parking plot. In addition to the building, the project would include clearing of the adjacent area for greenspace that would create the ability for greater outdoor play (i.e., pick-up soccer, ultimate frisbee, etc.) directly on campus without the need to sign out to go to Linden Park.
ASMSA will contract with Taylor Kempkes Architects to further refine a concept for visual and performing arts facilities that was privately commissioned by local philanthropists in 2020. The Arts Zone of campus is intended to replace the footprint of the former RLB/hospital complex once the City of Hot Springs has returned the space to ASMSA in the coming years. The costs of these facilities would be significant and will likely require further investment by the General Assembly as well as private donors.
ASMSA to Host Education Secretary
Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva is scheduled to make his first visit to campus on Friday, December 20th. Outgoing UA System President Don Bobbitt and government affairs staff from the System will also be in attendance. Members of the Board of Visitors have been invited as well. The meeting will highlight ASMSA’s mission and the school’s longstanding alignment to the goals of choice and access at the heart of the LEARNS Act. Admissions Delegates will conduct a campus tour. The day will conclude with a discussion about remaining priorities under the current 2025 Strategic Plan in advance of the upcoming legislation session. These goals include enrollment growth, facilities funding, and statewide outreach.
95th General Assembly
Campus leadership across higher education, including ASMSA, participated in preliminary budget hearings in advance of the upcoming legislative session in early November. Various topics related to higher education, productivity funding, and workforce development are anticipated to be at the forefront of Governor Sanders’ agenda during the session.
ASMSA leadership has opened conversations with UA System leadership about potential legislative avenues for enrollment growth. The University of Arkansas System is also exploring legislation that would bring appointment of the ASMSA, UA-Pulaski Tech, and UA-East Arkansas Community College’s (the System’s newest member institution) Boards of Visitors into alignment with other campuses. Currently, the three institution’s members are appointed by the Governor. The amended legislation would be similar in nature to Act 1006 of 2017, which transferred appointment of the UA-Monticello and UA-Pine Bluff Board of Visitors to the UA System Board of Trustees.
System staff and campus leadership will participate in meetings throughout the session. ASMSA maintains an ongoing list of legislation filed that is of interest to education or specific campus operations.
Second ASMSA Alumnus Elected to Arkansas House
Class of 2007 alumnus Lincoln Barnett has become the second graduate of ASMSA elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives. He will represent District 63 in the 95th General Assembly and has been selected to serve on the House Education Committee. Class of 2000 alumnus Matt Brown of Conway was re-elected to a second House term in November.
Lincoln Barnett currently serves as the Mayor of Hughes, is former Chairman of the St. Francis County Democratic Party, and is a State Committee Member for the Democratic Party of Arkansas. He has been engaged in public service since the age of 23, starting out as a School Board Member for the Hughes School District in 2012 (now consolidated with West Memphis School District).
After graduating from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Mayor Barnett returned home and dedicated himself to service. As a 2nd-term Mayor, Rural Non-Profit Leader, and Minister, he knows the gaps that exist in our communities and what support is needed for East Arkansas to thrive again. He is committed to protecting East Arkansas public schools, expanding access to healthcare & mental healthcare, and reviving the area with new jobs and new beginnings.
Senior Participates in Iconic Parade
ASMSA senior Lycci Pan participated last month in the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. She served as a member of the color guard of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band, which included around 225 students from across the country. Pan’s accomplishment was profiled in a variety of statewide media outlets, including the THV11 story linked below. https://www.thv11.com/article/life/holidays/arkansas-teen-performs-macys-thanksgiving-dayparade/91-b8fbf249-5805-464e-bb32-7c9fe7c41870
Alderdice Pens Democrat-Gazette Op-Ed
Director Alderdice wrote a special commentary piece that was published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazzette as well as the Northwest Arkansas edition on November 25th. The piece discusses how focusing on collaboration instead of competition between schools can benefit students, parents and educators. Alderdice argues that collaboration among schools that share
resources and ideas can create a stronger, more supportive system that meets the needs of every student. The full piece is available online at https://asmsa.me/collaboration24.
Study Finds ASMSA at Top of State in Teacher Compensation
An internal study of many of the state’s leading K-12 districts has found ASMSA remains highly competitive in educator pay. Efforts to ensure ASMSA’s leadership in this domain began with the development of the Faculty Advancement Plan and preceded the LEARNS Act in 2023. While ASMSA does not maintain a traditional “salary tree” that aligns to degree and years of service as is common with traditional school districts, the analysis found that two-thirds of faculty have greater compensation than those with similar experience and credentials than those in the Little Rock School District, which has the highest compensation for teachers with advanced degrees. The analysis does demonstrate a need for further review of starting salaries as well as ensuring eligible faculty pursue recognition under the Faculty Advancement Plan.
Phone System Transition
IT staff have completed a transition of campus phone system to Zoom. This not only modernizes our phone system but it also ensures that all employees have access to a full Zoom account for meetings. The Zoom mobile phone app also allows employees to both receive and make calls, which limits the need to share personal contact details. Staff are finalizing details with Zoom that will allow employees to receive text messages through the app via their institutional phone number. All off these changes have wide-ranging benefits for campus, though they are especially notable for staff in Student Life, admissions, and mental health.
UA Board Chooses Lt. Gen. Jay B. Silveria as Next UA System
President
The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas today unanimously approved the selection of retired United States Air Force Lieutenant General Jay B. Silveria as the next president of the University of Arkansas System. Silveria, the associate vice president and executive director of Texas A&M University and the Bush School of Government & Public Service in Washington, D.C. and former superintendent at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Co., is expected to start his new role Jan. 15, 2025. Current UA System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt announced plans last summer to retire after more than 13 years at the helm of the state’s largest higher education system. The Board of Trustees engaged in a national search, led by Trustee Scott Ford, in August that culminated in a series of specially called meetings to consider candidates for the position.
Silveria, a command pilot with more than 3,900 hours in elite military aircraft, retired from a 35year career in the U.S. Air Force in November 2020, after spending the last three years of his service as superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Shortly after retirement, he was appointed the associate vice president and executive director of Texas A&M University and the Bush School of Government & Public Service in Washington, D.C., which serves graduate students looking to boost careers in government and public service and the broader Texas A&M University community. Silveria said he looks forward to completing his obligations to Texas A&M and the Bush School before joining the UA System in early 2025.
Silveria earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master of Social Science degree from Syracuse University, attended the National War College at Fort
Lesley J. McNair in Washington DC., and was a senior executive fellow at Harvard University where he also attended the Harvard Seminar for New Presidents at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
Statistics for Grants and General Messaging
Academic Year 2024-25
Given the unique mission and nature of ASMSA, we find it often helpful for external stakeholders to review the following information to better understand our community of learning It is important to know that ASMSA does not charge for housing, tuition, meals, or textbooks We believe the opportunity should be available to all qualifying students regardless of their family background.
Student Enrollment
Data Collected from Blackbaud on August 26, 2024
Class of 2025
Class
Male Students 42
Female Students 54
Class of 2026
Class Enrollment 121
Male Students 55
Female Students 66
Class of 2027
Class Enrollment 28
Male Students 15
Female Students 13
Total Male 112 (45 7%)
Total Female 133 (54 3%)
Total Enrollment 245
Racial/Ethnic Diversity
Classroom and Instruction - Academic Year 2025
Student to Teacher Ratio 8 75:1 245:28 0 FTE
FTE figure does not include faculty in adjunct roles for debate, choir, or health/PE
Based on the percentage of faculty course load dedicated exclusively to residential students
Student Need
Data Collected from Family Income Statement and Federal Subsidized Lunch Guidelines
Arkansas Median Household Income: $58,700 (2023, US Census Bureau) 145 students (59.2%) are below the median household income in Arkansas.
Class of 2025
Students Eligible Based on Federal Guidelines 31/96 32 3%
Average Family Income
Median Family Income
Class of 2026
$97,440
$80,000
Students Eligible Based on Federal Guidelines 56/121 46 3%
Average Family Income $94,641
Median Family Income $64,000
Class of 2027
Students Eligible Based on Federal Guidelines 11/28 39.3%
Average Family Income
Median Family Income (All)
Median HELIX Family Income
Median Early Entrance Family Income
Total Enrollment
$115,737
$75,000
$39,599
$160,000
Students Eligible Based on Federal Guidelines 98/245 40 0%
Geographic Reach
Data Collected from Blackbaud on Students Admitted, Currently Enrolled, Withdrawn, and Graduated
Class of 2025 Counties Admitted 37 of 75 Counties
Class of 2026 Counties Admitted 44 of 75 Counties
Class of 2027 Counties Admitted 18 of 75 Counties
Current AY24-25 Enrollment Counties Represented50 of 75 Counties
5-Year (Classes of 2022 - Partial 2027 Admission) 64 of 75 Arkansas Counties
Bradley, Columbia, Conway, Jackson, Lee, Marion, Miller, Nevada, Searcy, Sevier, and Woodruff counties are not represented.
Mississippi Delta* Student Enrollment 72 of 535 (13%)
Expanded Mississippi Delta** Student Enrollment 146 of 535 (27%)
Total Mississippi Delta Student Enrollment (2021-26) 218 of 535 (41%)
*Delta Counties: Arkansas, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Greene, Lee, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, St Francis
**Expanded Delta Counties: Ashley, Drew, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln, Lonoke, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Sharp, White, Woodruff
General Assembly (House) Districts 75 of 100 Districts
General Assembly (Senate) Districts 34 of 35 Districts (34 in NWA missing)
Based on districts as redrawn from the 2020 Census and student enrollment in October 2024
Top Producing Counties from Classes of 2022-2027
Pulaski County 86 Washington County 16 Garland County 52 Pope County 15
Faulkner County 42 Jefferson County 14
Saline County 37 White County 13
Craighead County 22 Hot Spring County 12
Class of 2024 Graduates
Data Collected from Naviance, Graduation Press Release, and Colleges of Choice Spreadsheet
Class of 2024 Graduates Declaring a STEM Major 80 of 111 (72.1%)
Class of 2024 Graduates Computer Science 20 of 111 (18.0%)
Class of 2024 Arts, Music, Creativity, and Design 16 of 111 (14.4%)
Class of 2024 Attending UofA Institutions 43 of 111 (38 7%)
University of Arkansas - Little Rock 10
University of Arkansas - Fayetteville 32
UA-Phillips Community College 1
Class of 2024 Attending Arkansas Institutions 65 of 111 (58 6%)
Class of 2024 Attending Out-of-State Institutions 45 of 111 (40 5%)
Classes
of 2021-2024
Graduates
Arkansas College/University Matriculation 225 of 386 (58.3%)
University of Arkansas System Matriculation 145 of 386 (37.6%)
Out-of-State College/University Matriculation 154 of 386 (39 9%)
Military Enlistment 1 of 386 ( 3%)
Other (Undecided/Gap Year/Not Reported) 6 of 386 (1 6%)
Historic Trends in College Enrollment
Classes of 2020-2023 Graduates
Arkansas College/University Matriculation 219 of 382 (57 3%)
University of Arkansas System Matriculation 138 of 382 (36 1%)
Out-of-State College/University Matriculation 154 of 382 (40 3%)
Military Enlistment 1 of 382 ( 3%)
Other (Undecided/Gap Year/Not Reported) 8 of 382 (2 6%)
Classes of 2016-2019 Graduates
Arkansas College/University Matriculation 264 of 411 (64 2%)
University of Arkansas System Matriculation 148 of 411 (36 0%)
Out-of-State College/University Matriculation 139 of 411 (33.8%)
Military Enlistment 3 of 411 (.7%)
Other (Undecided/Gap Year/Not Reported) 5 of 411 (1.2%)
Classes of 2012-2015 Graduates
Arkansas College/University Matriculation 288 of 386 (74.5%)
University of Arkansas System Matriculation 180 of 386 (46.6%)
Out-of-State College/University Matriculation 95 of 386 (24 6%)
Military Enlistment 1 of 386 ( 2%)
Other (Undecided/Gap Year/Not Reported) 0 of 386 (2 6%)
Office of Academic Affairs
December
2024 Quarterly Report
Stuart Flynn, Dean of Academic Affairs
The week after the Thanksgiving holiday begins the stretch run to final exams from December 17-19. Over the next two weeks, academic leadership and academic support personnel will continue to apply intervention strategies to help those students in grade jeopardy and to assist all students to finish the semester on a positive note. Closing the Fall Semester involves collaboration across the academic units as the entire campus prepares for final exams while also planning for Spring Semester, which involves course scheduling, course registration, college planning, and identifying summer research and internship opportunities for students. December is also important for Juniors in Capstone research courses as they must demonstrate progress on projects to be presented in February at ASMSA’s West Regional Science Fair and in May at ASMSA’s Arts & Humanities Symposium.
By the Numbers
● 6 students matched to colleges of their choice through the Questbridge National Scholarship Program.
● 6 students selected to the 2024 Arkansas South All-Region Orchestra.
● 4 concerts presented by Dr. Tom Dempster and Dr. Nathan Groot and their wind, string, and jazz ensembles.
● 12 students earned the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy.
UAFS Concurrent Enrollment Meetings
On December 11th, ASMSA’s Department of Academic Affairs will host the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith’s (UAFS) concurrent enrollment staff, including the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. This visit will include meetings between UAFS staff, myself, our Registrar, and our Associate Deans for STEM and Arts & Humanities. Over the last two years we have revised our scheduling and registration processes and made that process quicker and more efficient, and we continue to identify areas of improvement in communication between the two institutions to reduce possible errors with roster checks and prerequisite confirmation. We will also work to further align the prerequisite and ACT information contained in the ASMSA Course Catalog with the information that appears in the Memorandum of Understanding that sets the concurrent course agreement between ASMSA and UAFS.
Associate of Arts Degree
During the Fall Semester, ASMSA initiated discussions with UAFS regarding the possibility of packaging current concurrent course offerings into an opportunity for students to earn an Associate of Arts degree while attending ASMSA. We have agreed in principle to a framework, and we are currently working out those details to make this opportunity available to students for
the 2025-26 school year. We hope to offer at least one course in the Associate of Arts sequence next summer. Courses in the Associate of Arts sequence will be taught by ASMSA faculty and adjunct instructors through UAFS.
December Standardized Testing
ASMSA is a separate testing site, and we administer SAT and ACT tests throughout the school year. On December 7th, we will administer the SAT to fifteen students, a mix of ASMSA students and students from area schools, and on December 14th, we will administer the ACT to twenty-nine students, a mix of ASMSA Juniors and Seniors who are looking to improve their scores. During the Spring Semester, ASMSA will continue administering standardized tests, and we will also offer test prep sessions to students to help with their preparations. Our goal is to eventually develop a comprehensive test prep program for our students that will be individualized for each student’s particular testing needs.
Office of Student Life
December
2024 Quarterly Report
Rheo Morris, Ph.D., Dean of Students
The ASMSA Office of Student Life is gearing up for the end of the semester. We have recently wrapped up Herff Jones being on campus to present on graduation regalia and are getting ready for late-night breakfast.
By the Numbers
● The Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Masters Social Worker have conducted three hundred and twenty-two individual counseling sessions for the months of October and November, 4 crisis interventions, and had 1 group therapy session.
● 1 Residence Life staff member completed the inaugural Women’s Leadership Academy at National Park College.
● On November 25th, the Dolphin Bay Cafe served 160 pounds of chicken wings during lunch. Food Service Director Terry Bryant joked that students weren’t saving room for Thanksgiving turkey later in the week.
Mental Health Hub
The Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Master’s Social Worker have started group sessions for students. Thus far, ninety-three students have received mental health services on campus. They have conducted 171 individual counseling sessions for the month of October. They conducted 151 individual counseling sessions and 1 group session, and 4 crisis interventions in the month of November. For the 2024-2025 school year, they have met with 93 students.
This is the season of college applications and early decisions which have caused an increase in the crisis interventions for the month of November. Students are now seeking out the mental health professionals on behalf of their friends and fellow students. They have also started a Depression and Anxiety workgroup to help our students learn coping skills and to help them recognize triggers.
Programming
The focus for programming in October was self management which included stress relief programming and making good decisions. There were also our regular Halloween-themed activities like the costume competition and a Halloween bake-off competition.
Spirit Week this year was held the week after Alumni Weekend with the themes of Twin Day, Dress to Impress Day, Celebrity Look-Alike Day, Halloween Costume Day, and Meme Day.
Other activities in October included a floor Olympics programs where students competed against each other in activities like volleyball and Tug-o-war for bragging rights. The goal for this program was to create/nurture floor pride while teaching friendly competition. There was also a Resume Workshop for students to learn how to write their resumes and to get tips and tricks from business owners in the community as well as the Associate Director of Career Services at UCA.
The programming for November focused on responsible decision making and social awareness. Responsible decision making addressed social media etiquette and ethics. This topic explored using good judgement and polite behavior when posting on social media. Also discussed was cyberbullying and its definition, examples of cyberbullying, and how to combat cyberbullying. The program encouraged them to examine their personal social action before posting on social media and remember that they were responsible for their actions.
The CLs held a Movies night and SGA hosted an ice cream social for students while staff members focused on individual floor programming.
Staffing
We have successfully filled all our new positions which include transportation staff and additional desk staff. This has allowed us to free up some time for our live-in staff to make intentional connections with students.
In October, staff focused on developing a positive team culture and a had a workshop lead by the Director of Human Resources and Campus Culture. In November, staff focused on maintaining their mental health so they can be more efficient in their job responsibilities, but also to model healthy behaviors and boundaries.
Admissions and Outreach
December 2024 Quarterly Report
Jason Hudnell, Director of Admissions
The Department of Admissions and Outreach has had a productive fall semester. Year 2 of ASMSA-TIP has seen growth as we have expanded the program to include 6th and 8th grades as well as 7th grade students. The new strategy of coordinating field trips with educational cooperatives around the state has proven profitable as we have seen an increase in both students and school districts participating in our programs. Admissions events and tours are continuing to grow and an intentional effort to usher prospects through the admissions funnel has been fruitful thus far based on an increased number of submitted applications compared to this time last year.
By the Numbers
● 72 submitted applications to date.
● 52 Prospective families have scheduled campus tours from August 1st to date.
● 86 Prospective families have participated in one of our two Preview Days to date.
● 17 Prospective students participated in a Shadow Stay this fall.
● 502 students participated in an ASMSA Outreach Event this fall.
● 349 students admitted to ASMSA-TIP this fall.
● 82 educators have joined the ASMSA-TIP Educator Cohort.
Admissions
The Admissions Department continues to prioritize personal engagement strategies in recruiting and supporting prospective students and their families. Over the past quarter, we have made significant strides in on campus tours and events, as well as fostering connections that reflect our commitment to providing a welcoming and informative admissions experience.
One of the highlights of this quarter was hosting two Preview Days, which brought 86 prospective families to our campus. These events serve as an excellent opportunity for families to experience ASMSA firsthand, meet our talented students and staff, and explore the unique programs that make our school a leader in STEM and arts education. Feedback from attendees emphasized the value of these experiences, with families expressing their appreciation for the personalized attention and the chance to envision their student thriving at ASMSA.
This personalized approach is paying dividends, as evidenced by an increase in early admissions applications compared to the past several years. This uptick indicates growing interest and enthusiasm for what ASMSA offers. It also reflects the effectiveness of our targeted outreach efforts and the trust families place in our process. By engaging early with prospective students and parents, we are able to identify strong candidates and nurture their interest in joining our community.
In addition to our Preview Days, the department has continued its efforts in virtual and in-person recruitment across the state. Presentations at schools, attendance at education fairs, and virtual sessions have allowed us to reach students in all corners of Arkansas. These engagements further
emphasize our commitment to ensuring that the opportunities available at ASMSA are accessible to all eligible students.
As we look ahead to the remainder of the recruitment cycle, we are encouraged by the momentum built during this quarter. The Admissions Department remains dedicated to promoting ASMSA’s mission and connecting with families who seek a transformative educational experience for their students.
Outreach
Since September 1, ASMSA Outreach has hosted two on-campus field trips: October’s “spooky science” of physics and chemistry, and November’s exploration of color and thaumatrope animation. Outreach also conducted community field trips in Northwest Arkansas (circuits and electricity) and Southeast Arkansas (engineering and teamwork).
In October, eleven ASMSA students and two faculty visited our sister school in Osaka, Japan. Outreach also hosted two MASH-Up events (astronomy/writing and computer science/world languages) in September and November. Additionally, Outreach has been preparing for a chess tournament on December 4th, the AMC 8 in January, and has submitted four AEGIS grant requests to support Summer@ASMSA 2025.
ASMSA-TIP
ASMSA-TIP began enrolling students in September. In October, we began enrolling members of an educator cohort. TIP students have engaged in diverse activities, including a webinar on executive function, an introduction to cryptography (presented by the NSA), a STEAM night in partnership with the UCA STEM Institute and Department of Physics & Engineering, and a visit to the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock.
The program hosted two family webinars: A Roadmap for 2e Parents (October) and Advocating for Your Child and Others (November). Students also participated in ACT debrief sessions as well as monthly interest group meetings in STEM and Creativity. Between September and December, families received monthly newsletters and educators received a quarterly newsletter featuring GT curriculum resources.
Office of Institutional Advancement
December 2024 Quarterly Report
Ashley Bennett, Director of Institutional Advancement
Programs within the Office of Institutional Advancement are coming to a close for Fall 2024, including wrapping up End of Year Giving and Giving Tuesday. Other activities this semester included regular newsletters to various stakeholders, a meeting of the Foundation Fund Board of Ambassadors, as well as the Alumni Pathways Speaker Series.
By the Numbers
● $34,490.87 in private gifts and grants have been raised in FY25 to date.
● A 1927 time capsule installed during the construction of St. Joseph’s Hospital was opened on December 4th by staff at CHI St. Vincent Hospital in a special ceremony.
● Approximately 125 alumni attended the alumni dinner on October 12th.
ASMSA Giving Tuesday and EOY
The Office of Institutional Advancement has been working on End of Year giving since the beginning of November. In November we were able to raise over $3,100 in direct solicitations and upgrade some gifts that were given previously. We are continuing this effort throughout December to wrap up the year.
For Giving Tuesday, we had the most successful year of raising direct funds in a single day in the past five years. According to our data, 2020-$8,303, 2021 $7,959, 2022 $6,876, 2023 $5,735, and 2024 $8,919.
ASMSA Farewell Ceremony and Alumni Weekend
ASMSA hosted Alumni Weekend and the Farewell Ceremony to commemorate St. Joseph’s hospital, a long standing cornerstone of campus. Our office was able to host the Largest alumni gathering in ASMSA history, along with one of the larger ASMSA-oriented events on campus. This ceremony was to be a reminder of the building’s history and how it transitioned from serving as the primary hospital facility for Hot Springs to being the Residential Life Building when ASMSA began. ASMSA hosted over 200 people, including community members, a few Sisters of Mercy who worked in the hospital, and CHI St. Vincent. During the ceremony itself, we had speakers which included Director Corey Alderdice, Michael Millard from CHI St. Vincent, followed by Amy Stvartak, and Representative Matt Brown who are both alumni. During these speeches we were able to reflect on how the hospital brought so many generations of people together in a shared community.
Following the ceremony we hosted tours through the hospital for CHI, the Sisters, and the Garland County Historical Society. These were led by myself, Director Alderdice, and Phil
Grace. It was a privilege to lead these groups through St. Joseph’s and hear their shared experiences of working, living, and treating patients. ASMSA was proud to host them on campus and share the day with them.
Alumni were able to go on a separate tour of the entire campus, ending with a tour of the Residential Life Building (RLB). We coupled the ceremony with Alumni Weekend to give our alum the opportunity to reconnect with their classmates, see their old rooms, residential spaces, and say goodbye to a building they care for deeply. These tours were hosted by myself, Cara JayAnnual Giving and Alumni Coordinator, and a few other ASMSA employees. We took over 150 alumni through campus and the hospital building. While this was no easy feat for our team of two, this was the most significant part of the weekend because we knew how much this building meant to our alumni base. There were challenges preceding and following the event that were expressed by alumni. We will be looking at ways to address these challenges for future events, and it has provided the opportunity for the Office of Institutional Advancement to assess how alumni events should look in the coming years.
Student Government Association
December 2024 Quarterly Report
Karilynn Arellano, SGA President
SGAhadabusy,productive,andenjoyablesemester.OnOctober12weheldFallFest whichwasattendedbymanystudentswhoallhadagreattime.Clubssoldvariousfoodand itemstosupportSGA'sfundraisingefforts.AsidefromFallFest,wehadotherfunevents includingaHalloweenscavengerhunt,SpiritWeek,SportsFest,andmore.SGAwill continuepreparingforfutureeventsnextsemester.Wecan'twaittoreturnfromwinter breakandkickoffasuccessfulspringsemester!
By the Numbers
● During Fall Fest, several organizations participated to raise funds for their respective clubs. The SGA Finance Committee also sold snacks, goods, and Domino's cards to help raise funds. The total amount raised was $1,233.51.
● In addition, our club fund is now officially available. This year's budget is $3,125. This money will be used to help clubs host events and purchase things that they may require to keep their members engaged and active.
● The Food Committee was also tasked with collecting 200 responses for a food survey so that our Food Service Director, Terry Bryant, could gather feedback on what students prefer to eat, their dietary restrictions, and improvements to the current menu.
Fall Fest
SGA hosted Fall Fest, and the profits were split equally between clubs and SGA at 50% each. The amount raised this year was $1,233.51, which was a $106.01 increase compared to last year. Some clubs also did not sell anything, but instead provided free events for students. Overall, it was a fantastic day of fun, and we hope Fall Fest returns next year to benefit everyone in our student body.
Sports Fest
SGA also hosted an event called Sports Fest for the first time. Student leaders and sports captains collaborated with SGA to organize this event, which took place in October. Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, and flag football were among the sports played. Except for volleyball, which was played on the court behind the cafeteria, all sporting events took place in Linden Park. Additionally, SGA assisted in promoting this event, and members of the finance committee sold drinks.
Events Hosted:
Besides Fall Fest and Sports Fest, we had other events to help guide us this semester. The Committee for Student Interest and Wellness organizes enjoyable events while making sure they are beneficial to the student's well-being. Among them was a Halloween scavenger hunt in which E-Board created spooky clues and hid them around campus. After that, students would go out in an attempt to be the first group to find the last clue to win a prize! We also had a competition to choose the year's best Halloween costume as part of this Halloween event. Additionally, SGA held Spirit Week, an event where students dressed in themes for the week.. Themes forthe week included a twin day, a dress to impress day, a celebrity look-alike day, a costume day, and a
meme day. To end Spirit Week, we had an ice cream sundae bar during dinner which was enjoyed by all.
Future Plans
The E-Board recognizes that finals are a very hard time, and students might need a motivational boost. Therefore, the E-Board will create a personalized goodie bag with features that are representative of each student on campus. For this event, we will be working in collaboration with the residential staff. To kick off the spring semester we want to start strong by discussing Dolphinstock, conducting spring SGA representative elections, and planning a senior trip. We can’t wait to see what all will be accomplished next semester!
