Dr. Jianfeng (Jay) Xu, research professor at Arkansas Biosciences Institute and the College of Agriculture, is the next presenter in the Project Scope webinar series sponsored by the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA). Recently named an ARA Fellow, Xu’s research involves genetically engineering plants to make the production of biofuels more efficient and less expensive. He will share his team’s work during through the webinar at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 28.

Dr. Lily Zeng, professor of creative media production and coordinator of the graduate program, has been elected to serve as the next editor of the Southwestern Mass Communication Journal, which is published by the Southwest Education Council for Journalism and Mass Communication. Zeng will be the journal’s fourth editor from A-State, following in the steps of past and current faculty members Drs. Marlin Shipman, Osa Amienyi and Mary Jackson-Pitts.

Julie Wyatt, assistant to the chancellor, is the June recipient of the PROPS (Proudly Recognizing Our Pack Staff) award. Her nominator emphasized Wyatt’s effectiveness with managing the chancellor’s schedule and participation in the planning, facilitating and hosting a myriad of events that involve both A-State personnel and campus guests. She also volunteers her time as a libero tracker for women’s volleyball. Get to know Wyatt through her Staff Senate interview online.

Todd Clark, associate chief communications officer, made a presentation at the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District Four annual conference in San Antonio. In “Managing the Multiverse of Campus Communication,” he covered A-State’s multiple internal communication channels and how the university uses them to keep the campus informed, inspired and engaged. Clark also is serving a two-year term as chair of the five-state district.

Dr. Russ Hannah, chief financial officer, was recently appointed by Mayor Harold Copenhaver to a three-year term on the City Water and Light Board of Directors, representing Ward One of the City of Jonesboro.  City Water and Light, organized in 1906, is a municipal improvement district that operates as a consolidated utility district, organized under general and special acts of the Arkansas General Assembly, decrees of the courts, and city ordinances.