A research paper co-authored by A-State couple Kerry Tew, program coordinator for the First-Year Experience Program in University College, and Dr. Philip Tew, assistant professor of finance, concluded most college students do not adequately understand their own finances, including what they owe on credit cards and student loans. The Tews' study was cited in an article on financial advice for college graduates published by Forbes.com and MarketWatch.com.

Dr. Joy Good, assistant professor of communication disorders, was recently elected to the executive board of the Arkansas Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ArkSHA) in the position of secretary. She will serve on the executive board in this capacity through 2016. ArkSHA serves as the voice for communication sciences and disorders professions (speech-language pathology and audiology) in Arkansas and the clients they serve.

Jeff McLaughlin, assistant professor of theatre, is directing the summer children's theatre production, "Goloshes of Fortune," which opens June 24. Shows for children remain popular among local audiences; occasionally students will say their first theatre experience was in watching Summer Children's Theatre at A-State. Students get hands-on experience, both onstage and backstage. McLaughlin says the fast-paced environment is considered more analogous to working professionally.

Students in a graduate class led by Tony Thomas, adjunct instructor in public administration, developed grant applications, including one to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro. Habitat for Humanity then submitted the application to the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation. The foundation awarded $35,000 toward building the organization's capacity for meeting its development goals, largely by strengthening the board of directors' role.

Todd Clark, director of digital creative media, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, District IV, as director for conference site/hotel selection. During the two-year appointment, he will evaluate and present city and venue recommendations for future district conferences to the district board. This is his second stint on the board, previously serving as director of marketing and membership.