Gov. Asa Hutchison has reappointed Debra Gage Hurd, clinical professor in the School of Social Work, to a second term on the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board. Hutchison announced the appointment on Feb. 25. Hurd will serve on the board until June 30, 2021. Hurd was elected vice chair of the board in January.

Hurd serves as the principal investigator of the Arkansas Academic Partnership in Public Child Welfare. This is a statewide child welfare education and training project sponsored by the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services. The partnership serves the entire state of Arkansas and has representation from eight universities.

Additionally, Hurd has been awarded over $1.5 million in external grants in the last five years. She has been with the University of Arkansas for over 25 years and has received funding in the past from the U.S. Department of Education, the University of Arkansas Women's Giving Circle, and the Hispanic Women's Organization of Arkansas. Hurd is a University of Arkansas graduate, with a B.A. in Social Work, a Master of Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences.

Hurd, along with School of Social Work colleague, Sara J. Collie, will present in Paris, France in July at the Institute for Social and Economics Research, Advanced Research in Business Management, Economic Policy, Humanities and Social Sciences. The presentation will be on enhancing child welfare employee recruitment and retention. This is Hurd's fourth international presentation.