Applications spring 2012

Applications Organizational Leadership

SPRING 2012

Newsletter of the College of Applied Science and Technology

College of Applied Science and Technology: Applications

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Mission and Vision

MISSION Utilizing a dynamic, hands-on approach to instruction, the College of Applied Science and Technology creates educational opportunities for students that positively impact their potential for employment, as well as the economic development of the community, state, and region.

VISION The College of Applied Science and Technology at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith will be regarded as an innovative center for education based on the superior quality of its graduates.

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Dean’s Letter

Message from Dr. Georgia Hale Dean, College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST)

“Where Ideas Become Reality.” This phrase was coined by the CAST Welding Department to describe the type of learning that occurs there.

Actually, it describes the entire college and how each of the CAST programs contributes to the UAFS mission to prepare students to succeed while advancing economic development.

One of the qualities that distinguishes CAST is the emphasis on providing quality, “hands-on” education for our students. Ninety percent of our classes have a lab component, which allows students to practice what they will have learned in theory. Our various advisory council members often comment that our graduates are ready for the workplace with minimal, if any, immediate training.

In addition to the laboratory experiences provided for our students, many of them gain valuable work experience in their chosen fields via internship opportunities. Student internships in the college have increased by 50 percent in the past three years to include internship opportunities at USA Truck, Army Corps of Engineers, Prosecuting Attorneys’ offices, Golden Living and others. Students who expand their education through internships are often hired by the companies where they intern.

The success of CAST students is directly related to the dedication of the CAST faculty.

Many of them work beyond allotted classroom time to make sure their students grasp concepts and are, therefore, successful. Most of the faculty members have worked in the fields in which they are teaching, and some renew skills by working in their industry during the summer months. This “real world” expertise is one of the things students say they appreciate most about their teachers and classes.

The “real world” expertise is also one of the reasons why current businesses come to CAST to seek training and development for their employees. City and regional leaders utilize us and our facilities to provide an educated, well-trained workforce when they are enticing new businesses to locate here.

The College of Applied Science and Technology really is “Where Ideas Become Reality.”

Within this first edition of Applications you will learn about exciting new initiatives, some of our students, faculty, staff, donors, and friends. Turn the page! Peruse! Enjoy!

College of Applied Science and Technology: Applications

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General News

Solar Power Saves Money Free and natural­—solar energy is everywhere. It lights up our days. It heats the earth, our bodies, and our homes. It dries our clothes and gives us produce like sun-dried tomatoes. All for free! It’s also used to heat water for domestic use, commercial use, and even swimming pools.

How is solar energy utilized? It can be answered simply—to provide heating and to provide electricity.

Thanks to Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative and their corporate partner, Marathon, a subsidiary of Rheem, UAFS will be taking advantage of this valuable resource to provide hot water for one of its most high-usage areas on campus, the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center kitchen.

A pair of Rheem solar slim solar panels will be installed on the roof of the campus center along with a pumping system and storage tank. As the water circulates, it is naturally heated by the sun resulting in free hot water, available on tap, every day. That’s what you call free and natural. Heating water this way saves on energy, which saves on water heating costs, and helps save the environment, too.

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UAFS can reduce hot water energy consumption by 50% to 90% based on our solar calculation for our campus location. That’s up to 90% less gas or electricity which needs to be produced for use on campus.

The campus kitchen will reduce their energy usage through this initiative thereby giving their facility real savings every day. With this system, the kitchen can expect to save on their energy bills year after year. And with the trend we are seeing in increasing energy costs around the world, the savings could be even greater in the future.

UAFS will also be nurturing the environment. Not only will we create big savings on our energy costs, using the sun’s free energy is great for the environment. With a solar hot water system, we can save up to three or four tons of greenhouse gas emissions compared to a conventional electric water heater. That’s the same as taking a small car off the road, so you can imagine the benefits for our future generations and the future of the planet.

However, talk is cheap. How can we prove this system is worth the time, effort and benefits it proposes? To provide us with the needed proof, the installed system will also include monitoring devices to track temperature, pressure, flow and savings. The system will be very accessible which will make a great training ground for classes on solar/renewable energy and demonstrations solar power photo, also contact for interestedRheem community and the public. for officials a graphic

General News

I’ll Meet

You in

Baldor

When students at UAFS refer to Baldor, they are talking about the Baldor Technology Center—the building that houses the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) programs. Baldor, the building, was made possible by Baldor, the business; Baldor Electric Company is a long-time donor and friend of the University.

Baldor-ABB and UAFS reaches far beyond these two entities.”

The Baldor Technology Center was named for the company because of gifts from Baldor’s board of directors, from R.S. Boreham, former chair of the board, and from John McFarland, former Baldor president and CEO. Through the years, Baldor has invested in UAFS through monetary gifts, in-kind gifts of equipment, and consulting for technical and academic programs.

Recently Baldor and its parent company ABB gave one million dollars to establish a scholarship in honor of John McFarland. This gift will provide prestige scholarships for students in technology and applied science. This is the first prestige scholarship designated specifically for CAST disciplines. Another instance of Baldor’s friendship for CAST programs is the manufacturing robot currently housed in the McFarland Manufacturing Laboratory in the Baldor Technology Center. The robot is on loan to UAFS from ABB. Marta Loyd, UAFS vice chancellor for university advancement and executive director of the UAFS Foundation, says, “Over the years, we have worked very closely to provide educational programs for this area and at Baldor for their employees, enabling people in this region to better themselves. However, the impact of the collaborative partnership between

Loyd says the partnership impacts hundreds of high school and college students who attend classes on campus as well as workers in the region. She says, “The effect is a better educated citizenry and a stronger infrastructure in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.”

Besides providing support for CAST programs, Baldor also provides student internships and, ultimately, jobs for many UAFS graduates.

Inscribed on the side of the Baldor Technology Center are words of wisdom from the late Chancellor Joel Stubblefield: “The people of Western Arkansas have given you a great tool.

What you do with it is entirely in your hands.”

Tracy Long, VP of Investor Relations, Baldor Electric, receives a plaque from John Martini and Anne Thomas in appreciation for Baldor’s contribution to BEST Robotics.

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Applied Science

Completer-degree Programs + Place Bound Students = Success

Patricia West, Dr. Leroy Cox, Deborah Gentry, Nehemiah Hicks, and Stacy Loseke at commencement on the Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas campus in Helena, AR.

What is a completer-degree program? Basically, it allows students with an associate degree to convert that degree into a baccalaureate degree. It allows students who need a four-year degree to apply previously acquired hours toward a four-year degree.

The Bachelor of Applied Science degree is designed for students with an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Students can use up to 80 credit hours toward the BAS degree. This program has been in existence for nine years and is delivered via compressed video to nine different sites throughout the state. It allows students who are place bound for various reasons to achieve their educational goals.

The first students graduated from this program in spring 2010, with three students at one site. This spring, UAFS will confer degrees on 27 students at five different sites (Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, Mid South Community College, Arkansas Northeastern

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College, University of Arkansas Community College – Batesville, and University of Arkansas Community College – Morrilton). The success of this program is evidenced by the success of its graduates.

Alice Herren (Class of 2010) came to UAFS through our partnership with Mid South Community College.

Since graduating, she has taken a management position with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis.

Nehemiah Hicks (Class of 2010), a native of Helena, AR, completed his BAS degree with UAFS, and pursued a master’s degree in Operations Management from UA Fayetteville.

Patricia West (Class of 2011), who was working part-time at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas’s Stuttgart campus in the IT department, was offered a full-time position upon completion of her BAS.

Outstanding Faculty

Actress/Instructor Uses Performance Skills to Maximize Learning In the small computer lab, students—all working adults—gather around the computer keyboards in groups of three, talking, laughing, and learning. In Dr. Micki Voelkel’s computer applications classroom, students work together to solve realistic business problems using the software as a tool. In this class, students choose a product their “company” sells and make up their own sales and expense numbers. More experienced students—forbidden to touch the keyboard or mouse—serve as “consultants” who voice problems aloud, as less experienced students type formulas into the spreadsheet programs.

Voelkel, an associate master technical instructor in the College of Applied Science and Technology, got her fresh approach to technology training from her first love—theatre. After majoring in theatre as an undergraduate, Voelkel now uses her acting skills to help communicate with adult students in the Center for Business and Professional Development (CBPD). CBPD works with business and industry, providing contract and open enrollment training. The department also administers the employer-sponsored Workforce Leadership associate degree. Voelkel specializes in simplifying technical concepts for the end user. She teaches classes in Microsoft Office computer applications, social media, Six Sigma Concepts, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, project management, and communication.

“The first barrier to learning is sleeping,” Voelkel laughs.

“I have to entertain them to keep them awake. Many of my students come to class after a full day of work or before heading to work for a night shift. If they are dozing, they aren’t learning.”

Some of Voelkel’s unusual techniques have included: “acting out” the concept of cut and paste, using the tale of The Three Little Pigs to demonstrate the concepts of project management, making up soap opera stories about

the names listed in practice spreadsheets, and turning advanced statistical formulas into step-by-step “to-do” lists that are easy to understand and follow.

Voelkel has special ties to the university—she “practically grew up on campus.” Her mother, Pauline Plummer, worked in the Student Activities office when Voelkel was a teen. After graduating from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, with a degree in Performance Studies, Voelkel worked for several years as a public relations assistant for then Westark Community College. She later left to pursue her dream of acting professionally, but soon learned that the vagaries of life as a starving artist sounded more romantic than the reality.

“For my last acting job in Dallas, I earned $75 total,” she says. “I discovered pretty quickly that if I intended to eat, I needed to learn something else.”

The “something else” was computer applications, which Voelkel learned to support herself while doing theatre.

Her expertise in working with software earned her a job in the Information Systems department at Holt Krock Clinic where she ran the Computer Help Desk and later developed the internal computer training department.

Voelkel came to the university in 1999 to teach computer applications for the Center for Business and Professional Development. Since 1999 she has gone back to school twice—first to earn an M.Ed. in Adult Education and then an Ed.D. in Workforce Development Education in 2011.

“I love what I do,” Voelkel says. “I learn something with or from my students almost every day. And my semesters are always different. I have the opportunity to work on projects that help real workers in real area businesses make a difference in their work. Making that kind of difference is really satisfying.”

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Computer-Aided Drafting and Design

Debbie Berkebile Alumni, CADD Graduate

Joel Stubblefield, at the 1998 Westark Graduation, said: “A non-traditional student is one who has been in the work force for a while and then comes back to college and is juggling school, work, and single parenting.�

This is exactly who I, Debbie Berkebile, was.

During my time at Westark, I was in the Scholar Preceptor Program under Dr. Argie Nichols. Argie has been and still is an inspiration to me, not only in my career choices but also as a true friend. I want to take this opportunity to thank her for what she did while I was at Westark and still now inspiring me to dream my dreams and make them a reality.

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In the program I learned leadership skills and hands-on CADD (computer-aided drafting and design) experience. I also was on the team that won second place on the Booneville Revitalization Downtown Program; SME chair and presentation at the Region II meeting in Dallas; Zero Mountain Robotic program; and Outstanding CADD Student.

harness grommets that are still being used on Ford cars and the F-150 trucks. After five years employed with this company, the company moved to the Cleveland area which ended up being an hour’s drive.

I wanted to find something closer to home so that I could be with my children since they were only in junior high.

I loved my time at Westark. I made lots of friends My present job is at HDT Global, formerly Nordic Air. and had many opportunities to be successful. Halfway I have been here for 7 years. I am a Design Engineer through my degree program, I found one class during and work on Solid Works 3D modeling software. the summer to be tremendously hard – College We manufacture custom air conditioning units for Algebra! To take it in summer on a fast track schedule extreme temperatures and harsh environments; i.e. was even more debilitating. I remember commenting steel mills, and some are used on mobile overhead that I thought I was just going to quit because this cranes that carry molten metal. During my time at was too much for me. My daughter, who was in 5th HDT, I have designed several unique systems that are grade at the time, used at a variety of steel overhearing what I mills throughout the As Mike Huckabee also stated at graduation: had said told me, country. Others are in “Develop people.” Make people around you “You can’t quit, Mom, Germany being fit up to successful. I feel that my children have learned you’re almost done.” crane units, which will from my hard work and perseverance how to I told her being a eventually be shipped become successful! grownup, you can back to the states. quit. But, that in itself I currently work full-time but own a quilting business was another inspiration to me to finish this and make and have quilted for 10 years, tolepaint, and am an a better life for my children. avid fly fisher. I fished in Rocky Mountain National After graduation I moved north to Ohio so that I could be closer to my parents. With knowledge, leadership skills, and hands on experience that I received at Westark, I launched into a career with my Associate Degree in CADD at Perfection Corporation in Geneva, Ohio. I worked as a design engineer, mostly drafting with Whirlpool dip tubes, meter risers, and plastic injection molding components. My job was mostly to correct drawings with all the new changes­—thousands of drawings a day! I pretty much knew this was just a drafting position. Knowing that this job would not lead me to what I really had a passion for, I decided to go to Kent University to learn Pro-E Solid modeling.

I enjoyed 3D modeling and wanted to take my career to a new level.

I then found a new job at Geneva Rubber Corporation working as a Design Engineer for wire harness grommets for the Ford Corporation. With several trips to Detroit to the Ford factory, I designed several wire

Park two summers ago.

As I reflect on my life, I am glad that I finished my degree so that I could be a role model for my children.

As Mike Huckabee also stated at graduation: “Develop people.” Make people around you successful. I feel that my children have learned from my hard work and perseverance how to become successful! My daughter is an Archeologist graduated with a BA from Baylor University and is a Graduate Assistant at the University of Cincinnati. My son is an Interior Designer/CADD graduate of Louisville Tech and is now finishing his BA for Construction Management at Ball State University.

So after all these years and getting to a point in my life where another adventure is about to begin, I look forward to dreaming my purpose! I am currently enrolled at Lakeland Community College in their GIS program­—Geospatial Technology. I look forward to the next phase of my life.

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Administrative Professional and Office Technology

Student Transforms into Independent Woman Through Education Sharlot Wakefield was scared and intimidated when she enrolled in college at age 45. She says, “I was 45 years old and felt that maybe I was too old to learn. At school, I met some of the most loving teachers. They would tell me, Sharlot, you are a good student. You just have to believe in yourself.”

Wakefield soon learned that not only the teachers but her classmates were a source of support. She says, “The classmates, sometimes very young students, would invite me to go to Sweet Bay and study with them. Others would tell me to take their number and call them anytime I had a question.”

Wakefield entered college after the end of her 27 year marriage. She says, “I felt totally abandoned and scared to death.” She had suffered a debilitating back injury several years earlier, and had not worked outside the home in 20 years. She asked herself, “How can I take care of You just have to believe my children and myself?” She says in yourself. that her self-esteem and self-worth were as “low as the floor.”

Sharlot Wakefield At first Wakefield enrolled in only a few classes each semester. After the first year, she learned about Arkansas Rehab, a program that worked with her because of her back injury. Arkansas Rehab was able to help Wakefield financially and, through college, retrain her for a job she could perform despite her injuries.

Wakefield is now a student in the Administrative Professional (APRO) program at UAFS. Now in the last semesters of her associate degree, she is working as a student intern for Dr. Argie Nichols, the department head of the APRO and CADD programs. Nichols calls Wakefield her “right hand lady.” Wakefield cites her experience as a student intern as the high point in her educational experience. Wakefield is scheduled to graduate in December 2012, and has plans to continue her education by enrolling in UAFS’s completer degree program, the Bachelor of Applied Science.

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Wakefield says she is now happy and fulfilled. She says, “People tell me they see a big difference in me since I first began college. I feel younger than I have in years.

The other day, I looked on a homework page and saw that my instructor had written, ‘It’s so good to see the sparkle in your eyes.’”

“I feel like my life is just beginning, and I want to inspire women out there who are going through a tragedy to hold on,” Wakefield says. “If I can do it, they can, too. One of my main goals is to be an independent woman who can work and take care of herself and not have to depend on anyone.”

Wakefield looks forward to being the first college graduate in her family. She says, “Like one of my teachers said the other day, ‘get all the education you can.’ That’s one thing that no one can take away from you.”

Animation Technology

“I Knew Her When...”

This is what faculty and staff on the UAFS campus will most likely be saying about student Anngelica Parent in the not-too-distant future.

Parent began her collegiate career at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, where she grew accustomed to lecture halls with 300 or more students. When asked “Why UAFS?” she replied, “I transferred from UA Fayetteville to UAFS for the digital design and animation technology programs. UAFS offered smaller class sizes, a beautiful campus, and instructors who really care about the success of their students. The animation technology program at UAFS is affordable and close to home.”

She liked the fact that the curriculum is very general and well-rounded, offering everything from handdrafting and figure drawing to autocad and architecture.

The animation technology degree plan focuses heavily on 3D computer imagery, using top-of-the-line software like Maya and 3Ds Max. Parent says, “The instructors provide hands-on experience by incorporating real-world projects into the classes and arranging internships.” Some of her most memorable experiences include working on a semester-long team project to produce a 3D safety training video for the local Gerdau facility.

During her time at UAFS, she started the Student Animators Organization with a couple of classmates and participated in multiple Undergraduate Research Symposia over the years. She was also the recipient of the 2011 Academic Excellence Award in CADD: Digital Design.

In addition to her program of study, Parent gained valuable experience while serving as an intern on several occasions with the Chicago-based company, Dreaming Tree Films. She produced a short film starring Dominic Monaghan, and co-directed a short film with Gail Mancuso. She also produced and directed PSAs for United Way Dallas and AT&T, and produced a music video for R&B artist, Usher.

Parent’s ambition is to become an environment artist in the video game industry. She will begin working on a master’s degree in Game Development and Design at the University of Texas at Dallas in fall 2012. She said, “My four years at UAFS have been both challenging and rewarding. I’ve bonded with my instructors and made some incredible lifelong friends.”

Parent was also part of a group of students who spent a Maymester in Peru, researching and mapping Huaca Pucllana, a buried pre-Incan ritual site settled right in heart of Lima.

These students spent the next semester creating a 3D restoration of the structure based on their findings.

Parent said, “These experiences taught me to work in a team environment and meet client expectations.”

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Outstanding Adjunct Faculty

Journey from Student to Teacher Assures “Bright” Future In only nine years, UAFS adjunct instructor Brittany Bright has made the transition from high school student to university instructor and Ph.D. student.

Bright’s journey began as a junior in high school where college seemed unattainable.

In Bright’s junior year of high school, she began attending a dual enrollment program through the Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC), which exposed her to the college experience and the value of an education. Upon high school graduation, Bright had already completed 33 credits toward a degree. Five years later, she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology, the first in her family to achieve a college education.

After graduation, Bright started working for a small company as a systems developer/programmer. In the same year, she began working on a master’s degree in Information Systems. She enjoyed learning new skills from experienced co-workers who were able to share the knowledge they had acquired in the health-based software development field. As a woman in technology, it was often hard to be taken seriously. In an area that was predominately comprised of men with diverse backgrounds, it often surprised Bright that she had the technical skills to perform on-the-job tasks. Even though she worked hard to acquire skill sets, knowledge, and respect in a difficult field, she felt there was something missing—passion.

After completing her master’s degree, Bright left her technical job and also left the country for the first time to spend a month in Korea. This experience exposed her to a different culture and an environment that was much more respectful than her small town culture.

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The exposure was difficult, and at the same time, a very rewarding experience.

When Bright returned home she discovered a passion for teaching. She began teaching at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith (UAFS) as an adjunct faculty member in 2008. Teaching at UAFS allowed her to take courses and make them her own; integrating ethics, business, and technology into the course work.

As a former dual enrollment student at UAFS, Brittany was given the opportunity to teach students who were offered the same experiences. Brittany was also given the opportunity to become a member of the adjunct pool at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus. There, she is responsible for the computer competency requirements for all business majors/minors in the Walton College of Business.

Bright’s love of research, learning, and teaching has inspired her to pursue a Ph.D. in Education. Her goal is for the students to understand how they can work together to make dreams possible for everyone, regardless of their skin color, gender, or disability. Bright’s teaching philosophy is to encourage students to experience freedom through exploration and experiences.

At age 26, Bright has obtained a master’s degree, has maintained a part-time adjunct position at two universities, and has made significant progress towards the completion of Ph.D. course work. She has accomplished these milestones while facing the adversity of being a first generation college student and a woman in a technical career. Bright’s drive and determination have ensured that her future will indeed be “bright.”

BEST Robotics

Making Learning Fun

What is BEST Robotics? Take plywood and a box filled with items such as PVC pipe, screws and other hardware, an irrigation valve cover, piano wire, aluminum paint grid, a bicycle inner tube, a wireless Vex Cortex controller and companion joystick, and something called a micro-energy chain system and try, within six weeks, to design and build a functioning machine that can perform specific tasks in three minutes. What do you get?

You get BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology), a middle and high school robotics competition whose mission is to engage and excite students about engineering, science, and technology, as well as inspire them to pursue careers in these fields. (“What is BEST?” bestinc.org/b_about_best.php).

As one of 50 BEST hubs in the nation, UAFS hosts the local competition—River Valley BEST— and one of the regional competitions—Frontier Trails BEST. Months of planning and a large number of dedicated volunteers from the campus and community have produced two very successful competitions each fall semester for the past five years.

Ramay Jr. High School in Fayetteville winning third and fourth respectively for the Robot Competition Award.

This was the first year for Waldron Middle School and Ramay Jr. High School to participate in the competition.

The Frontier Trails BEST Robotics Competition drew 38 teams from 9 hubs across the country. Two teams earned top honors in this year’s Frontier Trails BEST Regional Robotics Competition: Wichita Homeschool of Wichita, KS, was awarded the first place BEST Award and Ambassadors for Christ Academy of Bentonville, AR, was the Robot Game Winner.

The BEST competition consists of a notebook, marketing presentation, spirit and sportsmanship, booth, t-shirt design, fundraising, website development, and robot competition. Eleven teams in Arkansas and Oklahoma competed in this year’s local event. Chaffin won first place in the River Valley BEST award category, given to the team that most embodies the concept of BEST as well as second place in the Robot Competition. Chaffin also won awards for Most Elegant, BEST Marketing Presentation, BEST Spirit and Sportsmanship, and the Top Gun Award.

Taking second place in the BEST Award category and first place in the Robot Competition was Waldron Middle School. Gans, Oklahoma, Public School took third in the BEST Award category with Union Christian Academy and

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Kyana Isabel Castillo, Administrative Professional and Office Technology Kyana has been included on the Dean’s List multiple semesters while a student at UAFS. She possesses the skills and attributes to succeed in any pursuit she chooses. She is a model student who goes “above and beyond” as a student, employee, and individual.

Kristine M. Dickson, Animation Technology Kristine has been named to the Dean’s List since 2008. She always strives to exceed in everything she does. Her team received a 1st place award in the 2010 Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. She was instrumental in starting the Student Animator’s Club on the UAFS campus.

Alison R. Farris, Bachelor of Applied Science Alison is a person who does not shy away from a challenge and is tenacious in her efforts.

She is a nontraditional student who commutes to classes following her full-time job in Talihina, Oklahoma. Despite her challenging schedule, Alison is committed to achieving her goals, excelling in her course work, and setting the standard for others in her classes.

James E. Dix, Electronics Technology In all things, James demonstrates professionalism, an enthusiasm for challenge, and a dedication to the accuracy and precision of his efforts. He has made the Dean’s List several semesters during his course of study and currently holds a 3.78 grade point average. James volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America, Southside High School Band, and his church.

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The following CAST students were honored for being the most outstanding student in their majors at the 2012 Academic Excellence Awards ceremony:

Billie Jo Turner, Automotive Technology Billie Jo is a WATC (Western Arkansas Technical Center) student who is driven to succeed.

Her zeal to succeed shines in everything she does. For example, she will receive her Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology degree the same semester she receives her high school diploma all while maintaining a 3.68 grade point average.

Ann Perry, Legal Assistance/Paralegal Ann has maintained a 3.85 GPA in her major. She committed to excellence and outstanding performance in the classroom. Ann feels passionately about the law and says that the concepts and work “just make sense� to her.

Stacey L. Waldrop, Organizational Leadership Stacey entered the Organizational Leadership program a quiet and introspective student.

She emerged from the Capstone class with a strong voice and a demanding sense of the knowledge she so earnestly pursued ... and with a 3.92 grade point average! Stacey was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society for adult students who achieve academic excellence.

Lisa Buzby, Workforce Leadership Lisa evaluates classroom concepts and applies them in her workplace, and she brings workplace experiences to the classroom. She feels there is a direct correlation between her recent promotion to Quality Coordinator and the skills and knowledge she acquired in the Workforce Leadership program.

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New and Retiring Faculty

New Faculty & Staff Andrea Thomas is the coordinator of the Bachelor of Science program in Eastern Arkansas. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Strayer University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from LeMoyne-Owen College.

She has several years of student services experiences at ITT Technical Institute, as well as years of industry experience. Ms. Thomas services students at six community colleges in the Delta and teaches half time in the BAS program.

Earlene Washburn is ABD in the Occupational and Adult Education program at Oklahoma State University. She holds a masters degree in occupational and adult education from OSU and a bachelor’s degree in business education from Northeastern State University. She has teaching experience at UAFS, Tulsa Community College, and Rogers State University. Ms Washburn is a small business owner, providing insurance and financial services and adult occupational consulting services. She teaches in both the BAS and BSOL programs.

Diana Hall joined the CAST staff July 1, 2011 as the administrative specialist for completer programs. She previously worked in the College of Education’s Pre-School Program. She has been employed at the University for five years.

Retiring Faculty Larry Baker came to the UAFS College of Applied Science and Technology in 1983 as Assistant Professor of Electronics. He began his teaching career by serving as an adjunct in the Electronics Department for three years. Teaching was so rewarding for him that he changed his career from computer technician for AOG to professor. After 28 years of helping students to succeed, Mr. Baker is retiring.

He plans to start this summer on some long delayed home improvement projects that will probably keep him busy for years. He also plans to modify his ten year old Prius hybrid with a plug-in, rechargeable battery. Frequent travel to California to visit his first grandchild, young Eugene Baker, is a must. He is looking forward to retirement and hopes it means less stress and time to get his fishing boat onto the lake again. He says it has been a couple of years since that boat has gotten wet from anything other than torrential rains.

Happy trails, Mr. Baker!

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CAST Faculty by Department Administrative Professional, Computer Aided Drafting and Design

Argie Nichols

Heath Cady

Katrina Coleman

Department Head, Associate Professor; Ed.D, Ed Sp, M.Ed B.S.

Instructor; M.S., B.A.S.

Visiting Instructor; B.S.

Debi Steele

Emma Watts

Instructor; MBA, M.A., B.S.

Assistant Professor; MBA, M.Ed., BSBA

Derek Goodson

Suzanne Horne

Max Johnston

Instructor; M.Ed, BSME

Associate Professor; Ph.D., M.A., B.S.

Assistant Professor; M.S., BSEE

Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

Leroy Cox

Amy Jordan

Kerrie Taber

Andrea Thomas

L. VanOsdol

Earlene Washburn

Department Head, Associate Professor; Ph.D., M.S., B.S.

Assistant Professor; Ph.D.

Assistant Professor; DBA; MBA, BSEE

Coordinator; MBA, B.S.

Associate Professor; Ed.D.

Assistant Professor

Center for Business and Professional Development, Workforce Leadership

Pat Eller

Hal Boyette

Gary Bratton

Kim Gordon

Micki Voelkel

Director and Department Head

Master Technical Instructor; B.A.

Technical Instructor; A.A.S.

Assistant Master Technical Instructor; M.S., B.S.

Associate Master Technical Instructor; Ed.D., M.Ed., B.S.

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CAST Faculty by Department Electronics

John Martini

Sabrina Gomez

Randy Jackson

Jason Merritt

Department Head, Assistant Professor; M.A., BLS

Technical Instructor; M.A., B.S.

Technical Instructor; MBA, BSME

Technical Instructor; MBA, BSEE

General Technology — Automotive and Welding

Bobby Jones

Ken Butler

Jody Grizzle

Michael Crawford

Michael Dugan

Jessy Nichols

Department Head, Assistant Professor; BSE

Assistant Professor; B.S.

Technical Instructor; B.S.

Technical Instructor; A.A.S.

Technical Instructor; A.A.S.

Technical Instructor

Paralegal / Legal Assistant

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Mark Lennon

Lynn Lisk

Technical Instructor; A.A.S.

Department Head, Assistant Professor; J.D., B.A.

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

College of Applied Science and Technology: Applications

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College of Applied Science & Technology P. O. Box 3649 Fort Smith, AR 72913-3649

5210 Grand Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72913-3649 479-788 -7000 888-512-5466 uafs.edu