FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Patti Sanders, who has been on staff in the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas since 2010, has been promoted to associate director of scholarships, Dean Mike Vayda has announced.

Sanders began working in the college in 2010 and was named scholarship management coordinator in 2011.

As associate director of scholarships, she is responsible for directing the college's scholarship program for 160 active scholarships, coordinates the 15-member interdepartmental scholarship committee and ensures scholarship recipient compliance with donor gift agreements. She also provides scholarship communication and customer service to industry stakeholders, prospective students, current students, university departments, college departments, faculty and individuals; works with development to coordinate donor relations and communication; and serves as the dean's office liaison for student financial affairs, among other duties.

"Patti has worked tirelessly to provide our students with the valuable financial resources they need in order to complete their Bumpers College degree," said Vayda. "She has built a scholarship office that is a campus model. I'm appreciative of the work she has done and look forward to her contributions in her new position. She is the key point of contact for me, the associate dean, our faculty, students and prospective students, and scholarship donors. Handling scholarships, and working with students and our benefactors is a key part of our service to stakeholders."

Sanders will also be leading the Bumpers College through the implementation of the university's new scholarship system, promoting new scholarship possibilities available through the upcoming capital campaign and looking for opportunities to increase student applications for scholarships. 

In her previous role, she managed the operation of the scholarship program, coordinated travel arrangements and processed travel claims for several staff members, processed deposits of financial contributions and expedited payment authorizations. Sanders also provided support to the college's associate dean, director of development and external relations, recruiting coordinator and student affairs coordinator.

Prior to joining the Bumpers College, Sanders worked as a substitute teacher in the Farmington and other local public school districts, was a convention coordinator for the Ozark Food Processors Association and was director of education at Trinity United Methodist Church in Fayetteville.

She is a member of the Heart of the Ozarks Emmaus Community and the International Association of Administrative Professionals, serves as the Children's Worship Coordinator at Farmington United Methodist Church and volunteers as the co-chair of Farmington High School Project Graduation 2014.

Sanders earned her bachelor's degree in agricultural business from the University of Arkansas in 2008.