The College of Education and Health Professions recently formed a Dean's Executive Advisory Board. The 37 members — including alumni, community partners and other stakeholders — are education and health leaders committed to the college's vitality, improvement and growth.

The board will function as an advocacy group for the college and collaborate with Dean Kate Mamiseishvili on long-range strategic planning and identifying service and financial support opportunities.

"I'm grateful to have such engaged and passionate board members who are willing to help forge a bold new future in the college," Mamiseishvili said. "While education and healthcare are more relevant than ever to sustaining our society, these caring professions continue to experience unprecedented changes. This group of volunteers will be a much-needed link between our college and the community, while also providing input that keeps us grounded in the needs of the region, the state and the nation."

Mamiseishvili, who met with board members in a day-long event on March 10, said each brings valuable wisdom and perspective. "The pressures on the professional fields we represent demand that we offer real-world, timely education which is affordable and offered by top educators who are grounded in preparing our students to tackle the profound issues that society faces," she said. "This is exciting work, and the board's input and involvement are already having a positive impact on our college."

Alumna Ashlie Hilbun, senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Arkansas Children's Hospital, was selected as the inaugural board chair. Hilbun earned an Ed.D. in higher education from the College of Education and Health Professions.

The board provided feedback on the college's three strategic priorities:

1. Elevate impactful and prominent research that promotes innovation and responds to complex challenges in education and health;
2. Engage in transformative educational experiences and collaborative partnerships in service to Arkansans; and
3. Embrace a caring organizational culture that empowers its members and stakeholders.

The advisory board will meet twice a year in the fall and spring. In addition to regular meetings, the chair may call special meetings of the board and its committees. See board member photos and bios.

The College of Education and Health Professions' six departments prepare students for a range of careers in education and health. In addition to its longstanding role of preparing educators and educational leaders, the college also trains nurses, speech-language pathologists, public health specialists, recreation and sport professionals, counselors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers and human performance researchers.