Former U of A Employee Selected for Operations Management Scholarship

Photo Submitted

Ashley Acord is the latest recipient of the scholarship offered by the Master of Science in Operations Management program. The award is based on academic achievement and financial need.

A first-generation college graduate, Acord earned a bachelor's degree in film from the University of New Orleans, then worked as a post-production assistant for Arkansas Razorbacks football. She continued her career at U of A working in University Relations as a videographer/editor. In March 2022, she became a video producer at PAM Transportation in Tontitown, where she is responsible for collaborating across multiple departments to oversee the development, creation and delivery of video projects for multiple platforms.

Acord collaborated on multiple projects that won Davey Awards for the U of A Honors College, including Tour Gearhart Hall (2020 Edition), Band Aid and The Legacy of BAD Times: Black Student Experiences at the U of A. She also worked as a videographer and animator on the U of A's sesquicentennial documentary, If This Walk Could Talk: Reflections on 150 Years. This film recently won Best Feature Film at the 2022 Made in Arkansas Film Festival.

"After I complete my master's degree, I hope to further utilize the information I have been learning throughout the course and apply it to my current project management skills. Earning my master's in operations management from the University of Arkansas will set me up for future growth and opportunities that were not available to me before," she said.

She thanked donors, the Master of Science in Operations Management program and the scholarship committee for selecting her.

Acord is also a recipient of the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship for the 2022-23 academic year. This award is offered to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing their degree online.

The M.S.O.M. Scholarship was first awarded in 2018 and is awarded each fall and spring semester. It is funded by generous donations from alumni, staff and friends.

The Master of Science in Operations Management program began in 1974 and is designed for professionals from a broad range of backgrounds, including business and government operations. Students learn how to create value to the production of goods and services while working with worldwide suppliers and customers. To learn more about the Master of Science in Operations Management, visit our website.