Dr. Susan Hanrahan, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, has been appointed to the additional position of interim dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Science.  Hanrahan will succeed Dr. Thilla Sivakumaran, who will assume duties facilitating global initiatives in the Office of Academic Affairs.  Dr. Lynita Cooksey, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost, expressed appreciation to Sivakumaran for his service to the college and to Hanrahan for her willingness to accept new responsibilities.  The two colleges will continue to operate independently.

A dozen students conducted a community service project in Lanjaron, Spain, as a part of this year’s Global Student Leaders program. Alexis Hurdle, assistant dean in Student Affairs, accompanied the group; she and Martha Spack, director of student development and leadership, taught the “Seminar in Leadership Development” course to prepare the travelers.  The group was joined in Lanjaron by Dr. Dee Dee Hudson, director of A-State’s study abroad program, who arranged the service opportunity.  The American Association of State Colleges and Universities highlighted the program in its July 2 newsletter.

Congratulations to Renee Miller, assistant professor of nursing, who was a finalist for the Outstanding Nurse Educator Award, given by Publishing Concepts Inc. in cooperation with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.  Miller serves as director of the associate degree programs in the School of Nursing, and has been an A-State faculty member since 2001.

Students in the Garden Club, which operates as part of the College of Agriculture and Technology, were featured last week in The Jonesboro Sun. Dr. David Agnew, professor of agricultural education, serves as faculty adviser for the group.  The article was picked up and distributed widely by Associated Press, showing up on newspaper websites from Sacramento to Miami.  Review the original article in the Sun archive (by subscription).