FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Michael Vayda, dean of the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, has put together a Dean’s Executive Advisory Board and the group recently met for the first time to develop strategy for advancing the college and its students in meeting workforce development needs.

The “Visioning Board” is a leadership committee made up of Bumpers College alumni, and the employers and potential employers who hire them. The purpose of the board is to serve as a sounding board and to offer insight, suggestions and plans regarding initiatives, efforts and curriculum in serving the needs of students, alumni, friends and businesses. The board also serves as an advocate for the Bumpers College, supporting programs, student recruiting, partnerships and funding opportunities; and provides networking opportunities to assist in addressing the needs of employers and potential employers.

“I am so excited about the opportunity and the possibilities in working with our Visioning Board,” said Vayda. “We are asking this group to help us visualize how we can build the best program in the nation to meet workforce development needs of the food, agricultural and human development businesses that are essential to the economy of Arkansas and the nation. We want our graduates to be the first-choice candidates among prospective employers. We have a lot to be proud of in the Bumpers College, but the partnership with this group will help us get even better at meeting the needs of our students and the businesses that hire them. We had a great first meeting.”

The group met for several hours, hearing from Vayda; Chancellor David Gearhart; Provost Sharon Gaber; Clarence Watson, associate vice president of the Division of Agriculture; associate professor Leslie Edgar; and professor Curt Rom. Several department heads were also present throughout the day.

“It was a very motivational meeting,” said Vayda. “It was exciting to see everyone coming together for the common good of our college, students and businesses. This will be a win-win for all of us. The discussion and action items were exactly what we needed to hear. We want to continue that dialogue and discussion as we move forward in implementing recommendations and suggestions.”

Board members present for the initial meeting included Jim Craig of Stratton Seed Co., Monty Henderson of George’s Inc., Katie Howe of Walmart, Boyce Johnson of Boyce Johnson Farms, Matt King of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, Mandy Kordsmeier of Sam’s Club, farmer Kyle Moery, Russell Tooley with Tyson Foods Inc., John Werner of White Commercial Corp. and farmer Elizabeth Walker.

“The open discussion format allowed everyone to discuss our ideas,” said Kordsmeier, an associate buyer with Sam’s Club and a co-chair of the board. “The common topic was internships and how to prepare students of the Bumpers College for the next steps into their careers. I believe our conversations will open up many windows of opportunities for both students and faculty. We have ideas on how to inspire, encourage and prepare the future alumni of the Bumpers College.”

Board members discussed their workforce needs as employers and partnerships in helping Bumpers College better prepare students for professional careers.

“I am very excited about being a part of this board and for the opportunity for the Bumpers College, businesses and most of all the students,” said Tooley, senior vice president for corporate and international human resources at Tyson and one of the co-chairs of the board. “The level of collaboration between the board and the Bumpers leadership was very exciting during our first meeting. The ideas generated by the group will increase opportunities for students in internships, job shadowing and on-campus interactions with businesses. With this level of commitment from the Bumpers College and businesses, the future looks exciting for all of us.”

The meeting, which was held at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena, concluded with a brief presentation to department heads. The board is planning a second meeting in the coming months.