Pride. Dedication. Partnership. Future. Opportunity. Connection. Community.

These are just a few of the words College of Education and Health Professions Dean's Executive Advisory Board members used to describe last week's fall meeting.

Thirty of the 37 board members -- made up of the college's alumni, community partners and other stakeholders -- gathered on Oct. 20 to provide counsel and engage in actions to amplify the college's successes. The second meeting of the dean's inaugural board focused on generating ideas and sharing progress related to the college's three WE CARE strategic plan priorities: Service to Arkansas, Impactful Research and Caring Culture.

The day was punctuated by laughter, hugs, meaningful connections, discovery, camaraderie and riddles related to Arkansas cities (most didn't realize there's one named after the college's dean, Kate). One board member brought the audience to tears when she expressed pride and gratitude for the college's impact throughout the state.

Perhaps the most moving sessions were those where board members heard directly from students and faculty, who shared about substantial research, projects and progress related to the college's three priorities. For example, associate professor Elizabeth Lorah discussed her research around AI-enabled devices that help people with limited speech communicate more effectively. Hailey Thomas, a graduate student in Counselor Education and Supervision, told the group about her crusade to increase the number of play therapists in the state since children in Arkansas are more likely to go through adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than those in any other state. Michele Kilmer, an assistant professor in the college's Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, introduced board members to Gryffin, a two-year-old black Labrador retriever who's the first canine to be trained in both therapy and service dog techniques to assist children with autism.

"It was humbling to see board members so moved by all the things we're accomplishing in the college to advance impactful research, expand service to Arkansas and foster a caring culture," said Dean Kate Mamiseishvili. "I'm grateful to each board member for their unwavering support, insights and shared enthusiasm about our college's vision. They're all so engaged and passionate about education and healthcare. It has been an amazing first year of caring together."

The board provided input and counsel to Mamiseishvili when she was creating the college's strategic plan. The completed plan was revealed over the summer and presented on a new website, wecare.uark.edu.

Ashlie Hilbun, senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Arkansas Children's Hospital, served as the inaugural board chair. Hilbun earned an Ed.D. in higher education from the college. When the board reconvenes in March 2024, Judd Semingson, nursing alum and CEO of Community Clinic, will serve as chair. Three-time college alum John L Colbert, who recently retired from his long-time role as superintendent of the Fayetteville School District, was announced as the chair-elect.

U of A Chancellor Charles Robinson kicked off the event's evening reception with a brief speech, praising the college for its care of Arkansas and noting the wise decision to make Mamiseishvili dean of the college in February.

Each member was gifted a medallion denoting their service on the inaugural Dean's Executive Advisory Board. The partnership and involvement with board members will continue to drive what comes next in the success of the college, Mamiseishvili said.

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 trains nurses, speech-language pathologists, public health specialists, recreation and sports professionals, counselors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and human performance researchers.