College of Education and Health Professions Announces 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awardees

Five alumni of the College of Education and Health Professions were recently named recipients of its 2026 Alumni Awards.

Awardees Tim Lampkin, Nathan Morris, Lori Frost, Matthew Holden and Kurt Andrews will be honored during an evening celebration on March 6.

"This collection of outstanding alumni truly embodies the spirit of the caring professions," said Dean Kate Mamiseishvili. "We're looking forward to celebrating them and their continued dedication to improving people's lives."

Emerging Leader in Education Award

Matthew Holden is a science teacher at Fayetteville High School, specializing in biology. Holden was born and raised in Arkansas and has a strong passion for science and the environment. He holds a bachelor's and master's in biological sciences, as well as a master's in teaching secondary science from the U of A. 

Holden has worked for state and federal agencies conducting scientific research focused primarily on ecology and wildlife conservation. Before becoming an educator, he worked for many years as a conservation biologist and ecologist, which instilled in him a passion for science, inquiry and the environment. As an educator, Holden is passionate about preparing his students to be contributing members of society related to conservation and the environment.

Holden strives to implement engaging, real-world, authentic lessons taken from his experiences conducting scientific research into his instructional program to help students see the importance of science in their everyday lives. He provides opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom through partnerships with non-profit organizations, municipalities and universities, as well as providing international scientific research trips for students every summer. Holden provides his students with the skills and content knowledge that will empower them to take action and become global changemakers.

Emerging Leader in Health Award

Kurt Andrews, a native of Rochester, Michigan, has built a career defined by excellence, leadership and a deep commitment to athlete care. He currently serves as director of sports medicine for Major League Soccer's Sporting Kansas City, where he leads the medical operations supporting players and staff across the organization.

Prior to his arrival in Kansas City, Andrews spent six seasons with the LA Galaxy as an assistant athletic trainer, contributing to two MLS Cup championship teams. Those experiences helped shape his philosophy of high-performance care grounded in teamwork, trust and attention to detail at the highest level of professional sport. 

After earning his bachelor's in exercise science from Oakland University, Andrews completed his master's in athletic training from the college. His academic foundation, enabled with real-world experience, has allowed him to excel at managing comprehensive, athlete-centered medical programs.

Throughout his career, Andrews has remained dedicated to advancing the profession of athletic training and supporting the people behind the performance. He is passionate about providing students with meaningful learning experiences, encouraging them to pursue excellence while navigating the demands of high-performance sport. His journey from student to leader in professional sports medicine reflects the impact of education, perseverance and service, and he hopes to serve as an inspiration to current and future students within the college.

Distinguished Career in Education Award

Nathan Morris has served as superintendent of the Cross County School District in Cherry Valley, Arkansas, since 2017. During his tenure, he has led a sustained effort to improve student achievement, strengthen instructional practices and expand opportunities for students in a rural setting. Since 2017, the district has experienced consistent enrollment growth, an uncommon achievement for rural school districts. 

Both Cross County High School (CCHS) and Cross County Elementary Technology Academy (CCETA) have earned extensive state and national recognition for academic performance, innovation and character education. CCHS received the 2022 National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) Founder's Award, while CCETA was a two-time finalist. CCHS has also been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's Best High Schools and among the top charter high schools in the state. CCETA has earned multiple awards from Character.org and was named a global finalist for the World's Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity. 

In his 27th year in education, Morris was named the 2026 Superintendent of the Year. He currently serves as president of the Arkansas Rural Education Association and serves on several additional educational boards. 

Morris earned his bachelor's in kinesiology and master's in teaching physical education from the college, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and served as a student manager for the first three seasons of Arkansas women's softball. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Arkansas Tech University. 

Distinguished Career in Health Award

Lori Frost is an internationally recognized speech-language pathologist dedicated to advancing meaningful communication for individuals with autism and related developmental challenges. She has worked as a speech-language pathologist in schools, residential programs, and clinics, and has lectured at universities globally. 

Frost pursued her bachelor's and master's degrees in speech-language pathology at the U of A and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1985, while working in a public school program in Delaware, Frost and Andy Bondy created the Picture Exchange Communication SystemÒ, a unique alternative/augmentative communication system that teaches individuals who do not talk to use pictures to communicate effectively. In 1992, Frost and Bondy formed Pyramid Educational Consultants to help individuals with developmental disabilities, autism and/or communication challenges learn skills to participate in life-long activities. Pyramid Educational Consultants now has offices in 16 countries. The evidence-based PECS protocol has been used worldwide to teach both low-tech and high-tech alternative/augmentative communication systems. 

As lead author, Frost published the third edition of The Picture Exchange Communication System Manual in 2024. Across all editions, the manual has been translated into 16 languages, with over 500,000 copies distributed. More than half a million individuals in over 100 countries have been trained in PECS, supported by more than 400 related publications. In 2025, Frost launched PECSTalk, a digital PECS app for iOS and Android. 

Distinguished Public Service Award

Tim Lampkin is the founder and executive director of the Higher Purpose Hub (HPH), a regional economic opportunity nonprofit dedicated to serving the Mississippi Delta. HPH employs a unique place-based approach, leveraging community education, authentic storytelling and strategic grantmaking to unlock the region's untapped potential. Through its regional center, systems change network and news platform, HPH actively cultivates intergenerational opportunities. 

Beyond his work with HPH, he also leads Lampkin Impact Group, an advisory firm working with community leaders, entrepreneurs and artists. Lampkin's work has garnered significant national recognition, including being named Ashoka's first lifetime social impact fellow in Mississippi and recognized as a Top Entrepreneur by the Mississippi Business Journal. An accomplished academic, Lampkin is a proud HBCU graduate of Mississippi Valley State University. He holds master's degrees from Delta State University and Bellevue University and earned his doctorate in adult and lifelong learning from the college. 

Furthering his commitment to lifelong learning, Lampkin completed the Authentic Leadership Executive Program at Harvard University. He contributes his expertise across sectors, serving on the boards of directors for the Mississippi Humanities Council, Innovate Mississippi and the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation.