The WE CARE-A-VAN crew stands on the popular “Photographer's Island” in Arkansas and Texarkana, Texas.
The College of Education and Health Professions embarked on its second WE CARE-A-VAN tour in mid-March, traveling along the lush countryside to the southwest corner of Arkansas.
Twenty-two faculty, staff, and administrators joined Dean Kate Mamiseishvili on a two-day Spring 2024 tour with stops in Hope, Texarkana, De Queen, and Mena.
On the morning of Thursday, March 14, a caravan of cars took a scenic route to the University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana Community College (UAHT). The UAHT leadership team, including Chancellor Christine Holt, provided a warm welcome. Over lunch, Holt talked about the history and growth of UAHT. The university has 1,300 students across its three campuses in Hempstead County. She also shared some new initiatives, including her UAHT's University Academy, which allows high school students to earn her two-year degree. This allows her to receive two diplomas on graduation day.
Mamiseisishvili then provided details about the university's WE CARE-A-VAN tour, which will allow the university to better serve the state of Arkansas. This tour was one of many important activities he produced from his WE CARE strategic plan for the university.
“We believe that access to quality education and health care is a fundamental right and the foundation for the success of each person and the well-being of all communities,” Mamiseishvili told the group, adding that the tour It will help build new partnerships, strengthen relationships and care for communities around the world, he said. situation. “Care is the identity we cherish at the university.”
After lunch, the two teams broke into small groups to discuss collaborative opportunities and best practices in health, education, and development.
The delegation also visited the Hope Public Schools district office and met with other school leaders, including Superintendent Jonathan Crossley and Hope Public Service Academy Principal Marilyn Marks. Ashley Stewart, principal of William Jefferson Clinton Elementary School; and Laura Gray, the district's English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) coordinator. Gray is a graduate of her IMPACT She-Arkansas Principal Fellowship in the College of Education and Health Professions, an innovative program that develops future leaders in high-poverty schools across the state.
That evening, the caravan couldn't resist a quick visit to Photographer's Island on its way to a reception with area city officials, school leaders, alumni, and staff from various outreach programs. One of Texarkana's unique features is that the only post offices in the United States are located in her two separate states. The team posed for photos outside open post offices and federal courthouses while officially standing in Arkansas and Texas.
The reception was held at Verona Restaurant in historic downtown Texarkana, just a few blocks away. The restaurant has seen a strong revitalization in recent years. The event was well attended and included the Arkansas mayor, city managers, Chamber of Commerce representatives, school officials and administrators, medical professionals, and alumni.
In his remarks during the reception, Mayor Allen Brown of Texarkana, Arkansas, said, “We're really happy to have you here. Please come again.'' “We continue to grow.”
Mamiseishvili told the crowd that she can't wait to get home and add pushpins to the map of Arkansas focused on WE CARE-A-VAN in her office. She assured her guests that she did not want to tour the state just for the sake of it. “Serving Arkansas is central to our strategic plan,” she said.
At the reception, we had a lively and meaningful conversation about plans for future collaborations and reminiscences.
On Friday, the gang traveled to DeQueen to tour the Sevier County Medical Center, which opened a month after the coronavirus shutdown began. His CEO Lori House, a graduate of the College of Education and Health Professions' Workforce Development Program, and hospital board member Steve Cole gave a tour of the impressive facility. They shared about the hospital's various services that are essential to the residents of DeQueen and the surrounding area. In its first year, the facility had more than 13,000 patient visits. In addition to emergency services, the medical center includes diagnostic imaging services, radiology services, a variety of therapeutic services, speech therapy, advanced wound care, a cardiac clinic, and more. The facility also has two helipads next to a wooded area with walking trails for hospital staff, patients, and the public.
After the hospital tour, the WE CARE-A-VAN cruised for approximately eight minutes to the University of Arkansas at Cossatot Community College. Cole, who is also the longtime president of UA Cossatot, welcomed the crew and provided details about the community college's history, mission, and students. The team visited various faculty members working in Cosatot's health and education programs to brainstorm future connections and collaborations.
After Cossatot's visit, most members of the Fayetteville team returned to the Hill. Mamiseishvili and several others headed to Mena to visit the University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain. President Philip Wilson was a student in one of Mamiseishvili's first courses as a higher education faculty member at the University of Alaska. Vice President for Academic Affairs Crystal Thrailkill is also a graduate of the University's higher education doctoral program.
Mamiseishvili said the entire two-day trip was amazing.
“It was a wonderful visit,” she said. “The company has been great and we've had so many great conversations. I'm excited about all the new connections and plans that have come directly from visiting different cities in Arkansas. Our WE CARE-A -I'm excited to see the VAN map is complete with more push pins. ”
The first WE CARE-A-VAN tour took place in the fall of 2023. The university plans to visit schools, clinics, alumni and other stakeholders around the state in the spring and fall.
About the College of Education and Health Professions: The six academic departments in the College of Education and Health Professions prepare students for a variety of careers in education and health professions. In addition to its long-standing role of training educators and educational leaders, the university also trains nurses, speech-language pathologists, public health professionals, recreation and sports professionals, counselors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and exercise scientists. We are training.
