Collaborate to Grow (Todd Shields Commentary)

Patrick Schueck, Zach Moon, Todd Shields, Dan Brown & Chris Heigle during a panel discussion at Arkansas State University's Catalyst event (Photo provided)

In regional economic development, no single factor drives success — but collaboration comes close.

We’ve seen it modeled in Utah, North Carolina and northwest Arkansas. In each case, public and private leaders aligned with local universities around a shared vision for growth. Universities served as conveners and strategists. Industry, education and government partners pooled their resources. The result was meaningful, sustained progress — not just for metro centers, but for entire regions.

Northeast Arkansas already boasts strong local leadership, innovative employers and a flagship university ready to lead. We have a mix of public and private assets that can power sustained growth. What will further move us forward is a deeper commitment to shared strategy and regional coordination.

Having spent 30 years watching one of the country’s fastest-growing regions evolve, I’ve seen firsthand how collaboration can turn potential into prosperity. During a recent visit with economic developer Ted Abernathy, an expert who has advised leaders nationwide, he emphasized the same point to northeast Arkansas: Growth is possible, but only if we work together.

At Arkansas State University, we are proud to serve as an educator, convener, research partner and workforce development leader, connecting employers, educators and officials to tackle shared challenges.

Two examples are the HIRED grant partnership — connecting A-State, ASU-Newport and Arkansas Northeastern College — and the research A-State scientists are doing with regional industries.

Together, we’re helping train frontline labor and spurring research and development in steel and manufacturing. That momentum now needs to extend into developing the next wave of operations leaders, engineers, accountants and analysts.

Modern workforce development spans the continuum — from skilled trades to Ph.D.s, from nurses to engineers. It’s about preparing people not just for jobs, but for lifelong learning and leadership.

We’re deepening our collaboration with the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. The A-State College of Veterinary Medicine is in the accreditation process and is set to address critical gaps in animal health and agricultural resilience. Meanwhile, A-State remains the state’s largest online college and graduate school — expanding access for working adults, rural residents and first-generation students.

Here’s how we can move forward. These ideas can also be a path for south Arkansas, where lithium could be as transformative as steel in northeast Arkansas:

• Prioritize talent retention through regional internships, targeted tuition reimbursement programs, employer engagement and strong career pathways.
• Expand credential programs blending technical skills with leadership development, professional skills and emotional intelligence.
• Strengthen alignment between K-12, community colleges and universities to meet emerging workforce needs.
• Invest in targeted upskilling for current employees in key sectors such as steel, health care, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, banking and logistics.
• Support employer-led coalitions that foster shared investments and joint wins.
• Position northeast Arkansas as a hub not just for steel and advanced manufacturing, but also for innovation in agriculture, distribution and logistics, banking and health care, among others.

These aren’t new ideas, but they require renewed urgency and shared commitment. Taken seriously, they can help northeast Arkansas write the next great chapter of Arkansas’ economic growth.

Let’s build the future — working together.

Todd Shields is chancellor of Arkansas State University.