Alumni News

Katie Kilponen aspired to be a dietetics major when she enrolled at Henderson State University in 2012. But when she attended a fashion merchandising class, she quickly changed her mind.

“I immediately fell in love with it after attending one class,” she said. “After graduating and looking back on all the classes I took during my time at Henderson, the only classes I truly enjoyed and where the homework didn’t feel like homework were my fashion merchandising classes.

“Every class I went to, I was eager to learn more, and that’s when I knew fashion merchandising was the right degree for me.”

During her senior year, Kilponen completed an internship with Dillard’s in Hot Springs. Not long after her internship ended, Kilponen decided to pursue a career with the Arkansas-based department store chain.

“I loved how involved the company was with each and every employee, as well as its clients,” she said. “It was around November when I then became an assistant sales manager for the shoe department. I would help manage and guide associates when the manager was not there.”

It wasn’t long until Kilponen became the juniors’ manager, and was soon tapped to run the children’s department. Three months later, she was promoted to assistant manager and transferred to the Park Plaza Dillard’s in Little Rock.

“Without my degree from Henderson, I would not have progressed as fast in my career,” Kilponen said. “Fashion is a forever changing industry and that’s what I love about it. We are constantly adapting to the environment we live in and fashion is no exception.” [Read more…] about Fashion merchandising shapes Kilponen’s career

Tina Calhoon hopes to one day become a technology facilitator which would allow her to help teachers incorporate technology into their classrooms and lesson plans.

As a fourth grade math and science teacher at Peake Elementary School in Arkadelphia for 11 years, Calhoon incorporates computer science, coding and robotics in her classroom.

“I have always been interested in technology and especially classroom technology,” Calhoon said. “Technology can help make the lessons in the classroom interactive and engaging for the students.

“I knew I wanted to get my master’s degree, but at that time I wasn’t necessarily interested in the programs that were offered until Henderson State announced their Master’s in Technology Leadership program. I immediately applied for graduate school and began taking classes. It was exactly what I had been waiting for.”

She received her master’s in Technology Leadership in 2015.

Calhoon, who graduated from Bismarck High School in 1996, received her B.S.E. in Early Childhood Education P-4 from Henderson in 2006 and her English as a Second Language certification in 2009. She is nearing completion of a program of study in Building Level Leadership, Principal Licensure from Henderson. She has also been taking classes for a cyber certificate from Louisiana Tech University. [Read more…] about Calhoon keen on classroom technology

Two Henderson State University alumni were among 14 teachers named 2018 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Regional finalists.

Amanda Jones, a science teacher at Poyen High School, earned a B.S.E. in P-4 elementary education from Henderson in 2009, and her M.S.E. in special education early childhood in 2012.

She was selected as one of four semi-finalists.

Anne Formby, who teaches math at Arkansas High School in Texarkana, received her bachelor’s degree from Henderson in 1989 and earned her M.S.E. in math in 1995.

The finalists were honored Aug. 30 at the state capitol by Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and education commissioner Johnny Key.

The 2018 Teacher of the Year will be announced later this fall.

When Matt Vines visited Henderson State as a Warren High School student in the early 1990s, he was “intrigued” by the university’s school spirit. A scholarship offer made Henderson an “easy” choice for Vines, who went on to serve two years as Student Government Association president.

He was also active in Heart & Key, Student Foundation, IFC and Theta Xi.

Today, Vines is president and an owner of RSource, a healthcare consulting company that employs more than 300 workers, including many Henderson graduates.

“We are hired by hospitals as patient advocates to help their patients resolve issues with their insurance,” Vines said. “I’ve managed our company operations since 2009, but I now spend most of my time meeting with clients, implementing new contracts, and presenting workshops and presentations to hospitals and healthcare associations.”

Vines said he was originally interested in political science when he attended Henderson, but felt the job opportunities would be limited.

“One of my professors, Dr. (Haroon) Khan, talked to me one day during my first year about studying public administration,” he said. “After some research, I decided to pursue public administration. It appealed to me because we learned business and writing skills as well as government and public policy.

“The greatest benefit of my public administration degree came from my enhanced writing skills. The technical writing requirement prepared me for the extensive writing required in law school and practicing law.” [Read more…] about Vines reflects on public admin degree

Marla Strecker transferred to Henderson State as an undergraduate in 1997 after marrying her fiancé who chose Henderson for its aviation program.

After completing her B.A. in English, Strecker enrolled in Henderson’s Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) program and completed her thesis defense in 2001.

Strecker, a Batesville native, has taught and worked in higher education since earning her MLA.

“From teaching at a community college to directing graduate programs at a university, my MLA enabled me to work in higher education and also to pursue my terminal degree,” she said.

Strecker is currently the senior associate for Academic Affairs at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. She was recently named the new provost for University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College in Little Rock and will begin that role in September.

Strecker credits her MLA degree for her continued success in higher education.

“I would not have my career without my MLA nor the skills gleaned from an authentic liberal arts curriculum,” she said. “From developing my first lesson plan to drafting state academic policy, all facets of an education in liberal arts apply to the growth of my professional skills set, especially the ability to learn from my mistakes and move forward shaping spaces with positive change in a collaborative manner.

“Also, my value of shared-governance and the core functions of higher education are founded in that educational experience.” [Read more…] about Strecker credits MLA for her success

As a preschool teacher at Arkadelphia Head Start, Samantha Crow is now fulfilling what may be her destiny.

“Growing up, my mom had a daycare in our house, so I was always around younger children,” she said. “My mom also became a teacher with the Head Start while I was younger, so I guess you could say that child care was in my blood.”

Crow attended Ouachita High School in Donaldson where she took a class called Occupational Child Care.

“We were able to prepare activities and projects for the preschoolers and go to their class and interact with them a few days of the week,” she said. “I believe that’s the class that set me up with my future career decision.”

Crow said she knew she wanted to pursue a child care degree. She thought about P-4 education, but didn’t really want to work with older children.

“When I found out about the Child Care Management Program at Henderson State, I automatically knew that’s what I wanted to do,” she said.

Crow transferred to Henderson in 2010 after completing her general studies at Ouachita Technical College, and graduated in 2013 with a degree in Child Care Management.

“The child care program Henderson offered made my decision even easier when it came to transferring,” she said. “I had family members who graduated from Henderson, and at the time, my mother was a student at Henderson. It’s not every day you get to take college classes with your mom.”

Crow began volunteering at the Arkadelphia Head Start before she enrolled at Henderson. She became a substitute teacher in 2010. She was hired as an assistant teacher when she graduated, and was promoted to lead teacher the next year.

Crow works with students ages 3-5. She has 17 “bright and spunky” children in her classroom.

“I have an amazing co-teacher that works with me every day. We work to provide the best educational experience we can for our kids, and we also prepare them for their next step, kindergarten,” she said. “I am so much more than a teacher to my kids. I am a supporter, a friend, a leader, a counselor, a caregiver and an encourager. I am Ms. Sam.”

Every day is a new day with the children, Crow said.

“You learn something new all the time. From the moment I walk into my classroom to all of the “Hi Ms. Sam” and all of the hugs and works of art I get, that just makes me love my job even more,” she said. “To know that I am making a difference in my students’ lives and starting their educational foundation strong makes me really pleased with the career I chose.”

Crow said she is a single mother with a three-year-old daughter that “is my world.”

“Everything I do is for her,” she said. “I’ve always been a down-home southern girl who hunts and doesn’t mind getting my hands dirty. Most people don’t know that my family and friends call me Ellie Mae because of my extreme love of animals. I have dogs, cats, horses, turtles, snakes, a bearded dragon, a squirrel and a raccoon.”

If she hadn’t majored in childcare management, Crow said she may have become a veterinarian.

“I’ve always had this strong passion for animals. Ever since I was young, animals have been my thing,” she said. “I regularly rescue orphaned babies that have lost their parents and nurse them back to health. I’ve worked with rabbits, squirrels, raccoons and opossums.

“I rescued an orphaned squirrel on campus by Proctor Hall one year. I took him to class in my pocket and even named him Henderson. My professors were always expecting to hear about my pets or see me bring them in for ‘show and tell.’”

Crow thanked her professors who “really made my college experience amazing.”

“Dr. Connie Phelps, Dana Horn and Dr. Patti Miley, being in your classes really molded me into the person and teacher I am today,” she said.

• This alumni feature is part of an ongoing project featuring Henderson’s outstanding undergraduate and graduate academic programs.

Jamika Williams said she always enjoyed her family and consumer sciences courses in high school.

“I developed a passion for cooking early on,” she said. “I enrolled at Henderson State in 2012, and I knew after my first family and consumer science course that Proctor Hall was my home.”

Williams now works for a developmental preschool as the food program coordinator.

“My primary focus is to make sure the children are fed, and I handle any special diets such as, but not limited to allergies,” she said. “I am responsible for administering the USDA food program for the preschool which includes planning and preparation of daily meals and snacks.”

Williams plans to start working on her master’s degree so she can teach family and consumer sciences at a secondary level.

Her courses at Henderson prepared Williams well for her role at the preschool, she said.

“Most of the courses for my hospitality food services degree have tied in directly to the work I’ve been doing at my current job,” she said. “I completed a child development course that has prepared me for work with the preschool. [Read more…] about Alumni Profile: Jamika Williams

Kelly Thomas admits that doing digital design work for clients can be a challenge, but she appreciates the opportunity to be creative every day.

Thomas, a 2015 graduate of Henderson State University with a degree in digital art and design, is a graphic designer for Ascend Marketing in Austin, Texas.

“I primarily do pharma work for a client in New York that specializes in neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and M.S.,” she said. “I moved back to Austin immediately after I graduated. It took me a few months, but I got a job at an agency doing social media work for clients. I switched to Ascend with a pharma focus about nine months ago.

“I plan to continue developing my design skills and eventually become an art director.”

Thomas is originally from Austin, but moved to Hot Springs and graduated from Hot Springs High School. She discovered her creativity in middle and high school and was drawn to theater and music (guitar), but began leaning towards visual arts when she was a sophomore.

“I wanted a creative career, but I knew I should go a practical route,” Thomas said. “When I was 15, I took a digital art class and was introduced to the Adobe design programs. After that, I was taking as many digital classes as I could.

“Towards the end of high school, I knew I wanted to study graphic design. The choice was pretty easy for me.”

When it came time to choose a college, Thomas wanted to stay close to home.

“I met the art faculty at Henderson and got some great scholarships,” she said. “I knew Henderson would be a great place for learning and creative growth.”

Thomas was involved in the Art Club and wrote comics for the campus newspaper, The Oracle.

Her degree was “pivotal,” Thomas said.

“While it is possible to get into graphic design with a portfolio alone, it’s more difficult,” she said. “Getting that formal training is critical. Having professors mold and guide you is critical.

“I’ve had great success in creative agencies since graduation. I would say it’s 50 percent diligence and exploring as many things as you can, and 50 percent your professors guiding you in a productive exploration.”

Thomas said there were times when she thought about transferring to a “sexier” art school.

“Every time I entertained that thought, I found that something kept me at Henderson,” she said. “With the crazy cost of an education these days, you really can’t argue against choosing Henderson’s art program.

“Cost aside, you can’t find another university that provides the one-on-one communication and help you get from your professors. At Henderson, the professors are all friends and they all care deeply about the students and getting them on the best path possible.”

Thomas said Henderson “allows students to build the confidence in themselves to go out and make it as an artist.”

• This alumni feature is part of an ongoing project featuring Henderson’s outstanding undergraduate and graduate academic programs.