ASU receives $4 million in recovery funds
ASU-Jonesboro is the recipient of $4 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for higher education institutions in Arkansas. The money comes from the Government General Services Fund and will be used for renovation, energy-efficiency upgrades and expansion of higher education facilities. Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe made the announcement Monday, August 10. The breakdown of the funds for ASU renovations and upgrades include engineering labs, organic chemistry labs, biology labs, boiler replacement and upgrades, elevator upgrades, campus energy- efficient lighting, and residence hall energy-efficient windows in University Hall and Arkansas Hall.

Dr. Salinger, Fullen, participate in national program
Dr. Larry Salinger, Criminology/Sociology, and assistant chair, Criminology, Sociology, and Geography, and Karen Fullen, Social Work, recently participated in the Implementing Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) at the Your University program at the National Child Protection Training Center (NCPTC) at Winona State University in Winona, Minn., July 13-16. ASU was one of three universities invited to present on the development of its CAST programs. The other programs were those at Winona State University and Montclair State University, N. J. A total of 20 universities and colleges were represented at the conference, most of which are considering or planning CAST programs. The Interdisciplinary Minor in Child Advocacy Studies, starting at ASU this fall, will provide a skill set to prepare students for careers in child protection services such as the Division of Children and Family Services (Department of Human Services) and the Crimes Against Children Division (Arkansas State Police). 

ASU's MPA program receives national accreditation
ASU’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program has recently been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) in Washington, D.C. Dr. William P. McLean, Political Science and director of the MPA program, and Dr. Dan Howard, executive vice chancellor and provost, note that the accreditation will be in effect for a six-year period and will guarantee the program's inclusion on the annual roster of accredited programs that conform to NASPAA standards. The accreditation means that ASU's MPA program at ASU is nationally recognized as a rigorous and substantial program; the accreditation also denotes the calibre of the faculty in the Department of Political Science. ASU’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program was established in 1982 and won full accreditation from NASPAA in 1996. The MPA degree is a professional one and the educational program designed to teach the skills required for effective public management-managing people, money, and programs in a political environment in a manner safeguarding the public interest. For details, see the NewsPage release.

Whitehead is new Wellness and Health Promotion director
Robyn Whitehead is ASU's new director of Wellness and Health Promotion. Originally from Hattiesburg, Miss., she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2002 with a BS in Exercise Science, and then graduated in 2003 with a MS in Sports Administration. Whitehead was the Wellness director at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., until 2007, when she moved into a faculty position in the Department of Health and Human Performance. She also has certifications within the health and wellness field. These include the American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Specialist certification and a Group Fitness Instructor certification from the American Council on Exercise. She brings more than 10 years of wellness experience to ASU. In her spare time she enjoys competing in triathlons and other outdoor sports and activities. She has been married almost two years to Todd Whitehead, the newest faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy. Robyn Whitehead looks forward to helping make wellness a goal within the ASU community.

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