College of Education and Health Professions Visits Central Arkansas on Latest WE CARE-A-VAN

The college team with S.C. Tucker Elementary teachers and principal Jenni Phomsithi.

Dean Kate Mamiseishvili learns about S.C. Tucker's success using the Accelerated Reading program.

College leaders hear how CHI St. Vincent serves the Hot Springs community.

Caravan members pose with leaders at National Park College.

Alumna Tamara St. Marthe reconnects with former professors during the Garvan Woodland Gardens reception.

The group receives a presentation from Lakeside Middle School students about the EAST program.

Lakeside Middle School leaders and students with the college caravan group.

Kay Brusca pets The Farm's resident highland cow, Holly Jolly.

Staff at The Farm take a group photo with college members outside their Conway facility.

The spring 2025 WE CARE-A-VAN group snaps a photo before an early departure.

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The college team with S.C. Tucker Elementary teachers and Principal Jenni Phomsithi.

Members of the College of Education and Health Professions traveled roughly 475 miles to witness education and healthcare in action across Central Arkansas.

This spring's WE CARE-A-VAN saw 16 faculty, staff and administrators from the college's education and health sides stop in Danville, Hot Springs and Conway on March 13 and 14.

"WE CARE-A-VAN tours are one of my favorite things that we accomplish through our WE CARE vision," said Dean Kate Mamiseishvili. "They present an exciting opportunity to learn and explore. Our trip across central Arkansas was filled with rich experiences connecting with alumni, highlighting our partnerships and building new collaborations."

The caravan departed early in the morning to head south towards Danville to visit S.C. Tucker Elementary School. The group was greeted by S.C. Tucker Principal Jenni Phomsithi, who graduated from the college with a Master of Education in Educational Leadership as a member of the fifth IMPACT Principal Fellows program cohort.

Several educators were eager to share their success using the Accelerated Reader program to promote literacy across all grades at S.C. Tucker.

The tour's next stop featured a visit to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, a 280-bed regional hospital serving Hot Springs and other communities throughout southwest Arkansas. Nursing leaders at CHI St. Vincent outlined what goes into serving their patients as one of Arkansas' magnet hospitals and their success in developing a workplace culture where nurses can thrive.

Half the caravaning members traveled to National Park College for the next stop, where Vice President for Academic Affairs Charles Ago and Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences Janice Ivers outlined how academic programs like EMT and Paramedic, Marine Repair Technology and Criminal Justice meet students' needs and maximize student success.

To wrap up the day on Thursday, the college hosted a reception at Garvan Woodland Gardens with alumni, friends and partners in attendance. 

Alumna Tamara St. Marthe, who graduated from the college's Higher Education doctoral program and now serves as a faculty member at National Park College, said she was excited to reconnect with friends and former professors.

Friday morning kicked off with a visit to Lakeside Middle School. The college was promptly greeted by two passionate sixth-grade students who served as tour guides throughout the hour-long visit.

Assistant Principal Julie Quast and Office of Innovation for Education Learning Design and Innovation Leader Kelly Hankins also joined the tour. Lakeside is an OIE-designated School of Innovation and features dynamic programs that encourage students to be critical thinkers and problem solvers.

The two students excitedly showcased a robotics program called BattleBots, the school's motor skills lab and the work students do in the school's EAST program. EAST, which stands for Education Accelerated by Service and Technology, encourages students to innovate to drive change within their schools and communities.

A couple of student innovations included crafting 3D-printed cupholders for student water bottles that can attach to school desks and an initiative to manufacture nametags for the many coats that preschoolers misplace.

The college arrived in Conway for their last stop at The Farm by Pediatrics Plus. The Farm provides ABA, OT, PT and speech therapy to children with special needs in a unique setting.

Senior Director Suzanne Rogers guided members of the college around and talked about what the organization means to her. 

As a mother to a son with special needs, Rogers said she experiences their work "on a personal level" and strives to give every kid the same treatment she would want for her son.

College leaders then met with the Pediatrics Plus team over lunch to learn more about the organization's mission and upcoming growth plans.

WE CARE-A-VAN tours provide an opportunity to hear from a wide range of people, strengthen connections with partners and learn about the successes and challenges facing communities and organizations across Arkansas through visits with schools, clinics, stakeholders, alumni and friends.

Dean Kate Mamiseishvili shared information about the college's WE CARE strategic plan at each stop.

Since their first tour in the fall of 2023, WE CARE-A-VAN tours have traveled to towns across Arkansas, including Pine Bluff, Texarkana, De Queen, Mena, Monticello, Portland, El Dorado and more. In total, members of the college have traveled over 2,000 miles in hopes of building robust partnerships throughout the state.