Professional achievements
• Guided development of the IMPACT Independence County Strategic Plan.
• Instrumental in raising more than $100,000 to launch a pilot scholarship program for students to enroll in concurrent credit (2017), which resulted in the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship, 2018.
• Formed a countywide collaborative with Excel by Eight, resulting in child care and home visiting expansions, 2018-19.
Community involvement
Provided technical assistance to countywide literacy planning teams, resulting in more than $500,000 in literacy grants in Independence County; developed strategy with Batesville School District in becoming the first community school in Arkansas; worked with the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville to secure secondary career center funding.
Advice for future 40 Under 40 honorees
“Just keep swimming. Have confidence that with enough time, energy and perseverance, you can overcome any obstacle, setback or challenge.”
Best thing about Arkansas
“Hands down, Arkansans. The people who live in our state are genuine and define the word hospitality.”
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