FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Lucas Simmons and Christina Woods have joined the staff as academic advisers in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

“I am pleased to welcome both Lucas and Christina to the Bumpers College,” said associate dean Lona Robertson. “They each bring a rich background in student affairs that will benefit both our students and our faculty.”

Simmons is the adviser for students in the departments of agricultural education, communications and technology; agricultural economics and agribusiness; horticulture; and for crop science students. Woods is the adviser for students in the School of Human Environmental Sciences, which includes apparel merchandising and product development, general human environmental sciences, human development and family sciences, and human nutrition and hospitality innovation.

“I am a University of Arkansas alumna, and I’m eager to get started,” said Woods. “I will primarily advise students in the first 60 hours of their major, which is crucial to college success. I look forward to creating and building relationships in the college and across the campus with the faculty who work with our students.”

“I look forward to building lasting relationships with our students, faculty and staff in the Bumpers College,” said Simmons. “I hope to successfully help our students navigate the U of A while teaching them how to find information they seek, help connect them to the university and college through meaningful one-on-one conversations, and contribute to helping raise our already strong graduation rate.”

Simmons, who is from Mount Ida, earned his bachelor’s degree in social studies from the University of Central Arkansas in 2007. He worked in secondary education for five years before enrolling at the U of A to pursue his master’s degree in higher education administration.

He worked as a graduate assistant in the Division of Student Affairs in the Office of Vice Provost/Dean of Students, overseeing various programs and serving on several committees.

Woods, who is from Gentry and was raised on a family farm, earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Arkansas in 2009 and her master’s degree in higher education administration from Florida State University in 2011.

Woods, who will also teach the Freshman Perspectives class this fall, worked in the Dean of Students Office at the U of A, and in student affairs at Florida State and at NorthWest Arkansas Community College.

“I found my passion for serving students as a work-study student in the Dean of Students Office,” said Woods. “I was drawn to this position after seeing how dedicated the Bumpers College is to student well-being, retention and career success.”

They officially began on Aug. 1.