Month
The June 2016
Review
Arkansas State University - Newport
Volume 3, No. 6
ASUN Students Win Gold at National SkillsUSA Chelsea Barnett, a recent graduate of Arkansas State University-Newport, took top honors in the Cosmetology division, and current ASUN student Mysti Kirkpatrick won the Esthetics division at the National SkillsUSA competition held June 20-24 in Louisville, Ky. Barnett, of Jonesboro, and Kirkpatrick, of Little Rock, won the gold medals by defeating competitors from across the nation who won their state-level SkillsUSA competitions. Barnett and Kirkpatrick competed under the instruction of Melinda Odom and Rebekah Vinson, ASUN Instructors of Cosmetology on the Marked Tree campus. Ashlyn Warren of Brookland served as the model for Kirkpatrick at the competition. “Everyone at ASU-Newport is extremely proud of the efforts of these students and their instructors,” said ASUN Chancellor Dr. Sandra Massey. “The strong tradition of our success at SkillsUSA, both on the national and state level is a testament to the talent and hard work of Melinda Odom and Rebekah Vinson, our Instructors of Cosmetology. Chelsea and Mysti have taken that tradition to another level, putting in the hard work that led to their firstplace finishes. I am confident that their wins at SkillsUSA will only enhance what would have already been a successful beginning to their careers following their graduation from ASUN.” Barnett’s first-place finish
From left, Rebekah Vinson, ASUN Instructor of Cosmetology; Ashlyn Warren, Esthetics model; Mysti Kirkpatrick, gold medalist in Esthetics, Chelsea Barnett; gold medalist in Cosmetology and Melinda Odom, ASUN Instructor of Cosmetology. was the first for an ASUN stuThe Esthetics competition Marked Tree campus at 870dent in the Cosmetology divi- evaluated each contestant’s 358-2117. sion, while Kirkpatrick’s gold preparation for employment SkillsUSA is a partnership medal marks the second time and recognized outstanding of students, teachers and indusan ASUN student finished first students for their excellence try working together to ensure in the Esthetics division. Bri- and professionalism in the field America has a skilled workgitte Schwartz, a 2014 ASUN of Esthetics. The competition force. SkillsUSA helps each Cosmetology graduate, won the was made up of an oral commu- student excel, and is a national Esthetics competition that same nications assessment, one writ- nonprofit organization servyear. ten examination and separate ing teachers and high school The Cosmetology competi- skill performance tasks. The and college students who are tion evaluated each contestant’s performance tasks included fa- preparing for careers in trade, preparation for employment cial, massage, daytime makeup technical and skilled service and recognized outstanding and fantasy makeup. occupations, including health students for their excellence Arkansas State Universi- occupations. and professionalism in the field ty-Newport’s Cosmetology SkillsUSA enhances the of Cosmetology. The compe- students have competed in lives and careers of students, tition was divided into four SkillsUSA competitions for 29 instructors and industry repseparate skills performance consecutive years. The ASUN resentatives as they strive to be tests, consisting of three haircut Cosmetology program is locat- champions at work. styles and an evening up-do. ed on the Marked Tree campus, The organization serves Competitors also took part in and applications for the January more than 300,000 students a written examination and an 2017 class are currently being and instructors nationally, with oral communications competi- accepted. To begin the appli- more than 13,000 school chaption. cation process, call the ASUN ters in 54 states and territories.
www.asun.edu
ASU-Newport Awarded Automotive Service Technology Grant Arkansas State University-Newport announced in June that the college was recently awarded a grant from the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission for use in the institution’s Automotive Service Technology program. The grant, in the amount of $11,000, will be used to train ASUN students enrolled in the Automotive Service Technology program on light duty diesel technology. “We are very appreciative of the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission for this funding,” said Michael Nowlin, Assistant to the Dean & Instructor of Automotive Service Technology. “We offer one of the best and most comprehensive Automotive Service Technology training programs in the state,
New Face at ASUN
and the ability to train our students on light duty diesel technology will not only enhance our program, but will make our students more attractive to employers as they enter the job market following employment.” Arkansas State University-Newport was one of 12 in-
stitutions statewide to receive funds from the grant. In addition to ASUN, the Commission also awarded funding to: Springdale School of Innovation, Black River Technical College, Cabot High School, Dumas New Tech High School, Pulaski Technical Col-
lege Saline County Career Center, River Valley Career Academy, Southern Arkansas University Tech, University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, Waldron High School and Northwest Technical Institute.
Michael Nowlin, Arkansas State University-Newport Assistant to the Dean & Instructor of Automotive Service Technology (fourth from left), accepts a check from Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson for the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission grant.
ASU-Newport Recent Graduate Awarded ‘Hire our Heroes’ Grant
Kim Childress Academic Coordinator Before Joining ASUN, Kim worked at Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. A native of Batesville, Kim is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University and is a fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Kim enjoys spending time with her family and attending church.
Arkansas State University-Newport announced in June that Collision Repair Technology recent graduate William Crowder has been selected as a recipient of the Collision Repair Education Foundation “Hire our Heroes” grant. A native of Jonesboro, Crowder applied for the grant as a veteran of the United States Army, where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division. The grant, funded by the 3M corporation, was awarded for an initial amount of $1,500 in tools utilized in the Collision Repair field. Upon employment, Crowder will receive another $3,000 in equipment. “Not only are we extremely proud of William as a recipient of the ‘Hire our Heroes’ grant, but we are also very thankful to him for the sacrifices he made in serving our country,” said Robert Summers, ASUN Dean
for Applied Science. “His hard work as a student was recognized last week when he graduated from the Collision Repair Technology program, and we
know that he will be successful as he enters the workforce, aided by the tools that he received as a result of the grant.”
William Crowder (center) is congratulated by Justin Smith, South Central Region 3M Sales Representative (left), and David Milam, Instructor of Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology at ASU-Newport.
ASUN Student Featured on KAIT Recent ASUN graduate Rachel Scott was featured on KAIT Region 8 News last month as being the first female auto body painter to work in Jonesboro. Scott landed the job at Collision Repair of Jonesboro after completing ASU-Newport’s Collision Repair Technology program on the Marked Tree campus, and has now reached her goal of a career she has dreamed of for years. To view the feature story online, copy and paste the following link into your web browser: http://bit.ly/29jXsuh
ASU-Newport Selected to Participate in Second Chance Pell Program Arkansas State University-Newport announced Tuesday that ASUN has been selected as one of 67 colleges and universities across the country to participate in the Second Chance Pell Grant pilot program. The experimental program is designed to test whether participation in high-quality education programs increases after expanding access to financial aid for incarcerated individuals. The pilot program will allow eligible incarcerated Americans to receive Pell Grants and pursue postsecondary education with the goal of helping them get jobs and support their families upon release. The selected institutions will partner with over 100 federal and state penal institutions to enroll approximately 12,000 incarcerated students - likely to be released in five years - in education and training programs. The selected sites all demonstrate strong partnerships between the postsecondary institution and correctional institution(s). These partnerships will help to facilitate high-quality educational programs, strong academic and career support services, and re-entry support. Many state departments of corrections indicated strong support for the proposed postsecondary educational programs at both the leadership level and in the coordination of day-to-day operations such as scheduling, staff-
ing, and facilities. Arkansas State University-Newport has coordinated efforts with the Grimes and McPherson Units, both located in Newport, to provide educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals for approximately 15 years. ASUN’s prison outreach program has been under the direction of Dr. Allen Mooneyhan, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness & Academic Outreach since 2006. “Dr. Mooneyhan has been deeply involved with our inmate prison program since 2006,” said ASUN Chancellor Dr. Sandra Massey. “ASU-Newport offerings have grown from a couple of courses a year to a full degree. Under his leadership, we have well-trained faculty dedicated to teaching in this environment, a collaborative relationship with the correctional facility staff, an on-site academic advisor and numerous inmates with college credit and a more hopeful future! Receiving this grant will allow us to continue helping individual inmates transform their lives.” The Second Chance Pell Grant pilot program builds on the Obama Administration’s commitment to create a fairer and more effective criminal justice system, reduce recidivism, and combat the impact of mass incarceration on families and communities through educational opportunity. I am very encouraged about
the opportunity for our incarcerated students to receive Pell Grants,” said Mooneyhan. “ASU-Newport has sought out sources of funding for the program for the past several years, and has struggled to keep the outreach program active. Most of these students do not have the means to pay for continuing their education, and this opportunity will help them to complete courses, gain additional academic experience and even earn credentials and degrees. Ultimately, it may enable these individuals to find work upon release and reduce recidivism in our community and state.” The United States currently has the highest incarceration rate in the world with approximately 2.2 million people incarcerated in American prisons and jails. Hundreds of thousands of individuals are released annually from these facilities. A 2013 study from the RAND Corporation, funded by the Department of Justice, found that incarcerated individuals who participated in correctional education were 43 percent less likely to return to prison within three years than prisoners who did not participate in any correctional education programs. RAND also estimated that for every dollar invested in correctional education programs, four to five dollars are saved on three-year re-incarceration costs. “The evidence is clear. Pro-
moting the education and job training for incarcerated individuals makes communities safer by reducing recidivism and saves taxpayer dollars by lowering the direct and collateral costs of incarceration,” said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. “I applaud the institutions that have partnered to develop high-quality programs that will equip these students with invaluable learning. The knowledge and skills they acquire will promote successful reintegration and enable them become active and engaged citizens.” The selected colleges and universities demonstrated a focus on supporting successful reentry. Many did this by evaluating the local labor market and providing educational programs that would prepare students with the training and credentials to improve their prospects for employment post-release. Others offer educational programs that result in meaningful degrees that prepare students to continue their postsecondary education. Through partnerships with the correctional institutions, community-based organizations, local non-profits and foundations, the selected postsecondary institutions will enable, prepare, and support incarcerated students in re-entering society as productive and engaged citizens.
ASUN Celebrates Jonesboro/Marked Tree Campus Commencement June 30
ASUN Celebrates Jonesboro/Marked Tree Campus Commencement June 30
Cassandra Saddler, a Culinary Services graduate, wore a traditional Native American blanket underneath her cap and gown. Cassandra’s mother was married in the same blanket.
Graduates Get Creative with Mortarboards at June 30 Commencement
The ASU-Newport Mission Statement ASU-Newport provides an accessible, affordable, quality education that transforms the lives of our students, enriches our communities and strengthens the regional economy.
Images of Success and Service at ASU-Newport
Congratulations to the 17 new Practical Nurses that were Capped and Pinned June 29 in Jonesboro. Special congratulations to Brittani Baber, who was named Student of the Year!
Congratulations to the 17 new Practical Nurses that were Capped and Pinned June 28 in Newport. Special congratulations to Wayne Odom, who was named Student of the Year!
ASU-Newport hosted the “Get A Clue” summer camp June 13-16 for students entering grades 3-6. The camp was based on the board game “Clue” and students were challenged to “solve a crime” during the week. To solve the crime, students found clues based on knowledge gained from their curriculum throughout the week from the Hospitality, Medical and STEM fields. The camp was administered by Irina Reynolds, ASUN Assistant Professor/Coordinator of College & Life Skills. See additional photos on following page.
Having Fun at the “Get A Clue” Summer Camp for Students in Grades 3-6