University of Arkansas alumna Elizabeth Saxman Underwood has been named one of the most powerful women in Arkansas by AY magazine.

Underwood is the associate vice chancellor for government and university relations at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. In her role, she oversees government relations between the university and the Arkansas Legislature and manages the offices of Public Relations and Marketing and Communications.

Additionally, she serves on the board of directors with Medical Supplies Network Inc. and with the Rotary Club of Fort Smith.

A Winslow, Arkansas native, Underwood earned a doctorate in public policy from the University of Arkansas in 2012. The interdisciplinary doctoral degree program is housed within the Graduate School and International Education.

Underwood credits an experience she had while in graduate school with helping propel her to where she is today.

"Working on my dissertation at the Library of Congress is when I realized that my doctorate was truly obtainable, and that I can overcome any obstacle by thinking creatively," she said.

More about Underwood and a full list of AY magazine's Powerful Women can be found here.