Dr. Kristi Costello, assistant professor of composition, rhetoric and writing studies, has been recognized for her work in transforming the Learning Center's approach to teaching writing skills and enhancing each student's self-concept as a writer. She was selected by the Learning Outcomes Advisory Council and Office of Assessment as January "professor of the month." She and one of her students discuss writing and Pack Prints in a video.

Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch (right), associate professor of history, will serve as moderator for the discussion panel, "MLK Sunday Supper: Race Relations in Jonesboro," as part of local events honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Gabriel Tait, assistant professor of journalism, will be a panel participant. The "Community Conversations" event begins at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Jonesboro Public Library.

Melissa Wilkinson, assistant professor of art, is one of four Arkansas artists whose work was selected for the biennial "Women to Watch" tour conducted by the Arkansas chapter of National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA). The tour curator selected Wilkinson's watercolor paintings in part because the process and content were applicable to the national competition's theme. The exhibit travels to six Arkansas communities.

Dr. Jody Long, assistant professor of social work, shared his personal story about dealing with the surprise of learning he had heart disease, for a recent Jonesboro Sun feature article. Although he had had no symptoms, he listened to his doctor's advice and had a stress test. An abnormality was detected and he immediately had what was most likely life-saving surgery. He is now an outspoken advocate for the procedure.

Terry Carty, who retired as construction coordinator following a 36-year career at A-State, is the new executive vice president/treasurer of the Arkansas State College Foundation for the Advancement of Higher Education, which does business as Kays Foundation. The Kays Foundation makes grants and funding available to help meet the university's teaching, research and service goals. Carty has served on the Kays Foundation board since 2011.