Arkansas Tech University reaffirmed its commitment to student access on Thursday, Oct. 21, when the ATU Board of Trustees gave its approval for three new certificates of proficiency at the undergraduate level and nine new graduate certificates.
The newly-approved micro credentials will provide students with faster access to educational attainment for short-term career advancement while simultaneously providing a stackable credential that can lead directly to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
A new undergraduate certificate of proficiency in applied statistics has an effective date of summer 2022, while undergraduate certificates in computer programming and computer networking are scheduled to be available beginning in fall 2022.
Among the new graduate credentials approved by the ATU board, certificates in special education birth-kindergarten instructional specialist, special education birth-kindergarten instructional specialist with licensure option, special education K-12 instructional specialist, special education resource instructional specialist, curriculum leadership, building level administrator and teacher leadership are set to debut in summer 2022.
Additional graduate certificates in risk management in higher education and information technology are approved by trustees to launch in fall 2022.
In other business on Thursday, the ATU Board of Trustees approved:
*one-time fund balance requests totaling $158,822 to cover costs of transitioning analog fire alarms and elevator phones to voice over internet protocol service and academic affairs needs;
*a transfer of $135,768 from unexpended plant funds to the 404 N. El Paso plant fund to prepare that facility to host the university’s human resources, controller, accounts payable, accounting, payroll and business services (procurement) operating areas;
*scheduling of a special ATU Board of Trustees meeting at 1 p.m., Dec. 13, 2021, so trustees may review and accept the annual audit report and certify ATU’s appropriation and fund balance in advance of a Jan. 1, 2022, reporting deadline;
*a transfer of $185,000 from the health and wellness center fund balance to support operations in the ATU Health and Wellness Center for the remainder of fiscal year 2022;
*budgeting $440,208 in unappropriated funds for Arkansas Tech Career Center to purchase furniture and equipment for the automotive service, computer engineering, construction, criminal justice, culinary arts, health sciences and welding labs;
*and the transfer and utilization of up to $300,000 from the educational and general unrestricted fund balance to plant funds supporting the updating and modernization of the automotive service, collision repair and welding labs at ATU-Ozark Campus.
Trustees approved five changes in assignment within the ATU Division of Academic Affairs:
*Dr. Jeff Robertson, from dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences, professor of astrophysics and director of the astronomical observatory to associate vice president for academic affairs and professor of astrophysics, effective Sept. 7, 2021; Dr. John Jackson, from head of the Department of Biological Sciences and professor of fisheries science to interim dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences and professor of fisheries science, effective Sept. 7, 2021; Dr. Tom Nupp, from professor of wildlife science and director of the fisheries and wildlife science program to interim head of the Department of Biological Sciences and professor of wildlife science, effective Sept. 10, 2021; William Scott Tomlin, from academic advisor and assistant director of the Roy and Christine Sturgis Academic Advising Center to coordinator of the ATU Learning Center, effective Oct. 18, 2021; and Christie Kellar, from broadcast production specialist to coordinator of broadcast production, effective Oct. 1, 2021.
In other personnel matters, the ATU Board of Trustees approved the hiring of the following full-time employees:
*Steven Campbell, associate director of computer services at ATU-Ozark Campus, effective Oct. 4, 2021; Rebecca Cheek, workforce education faculty of business technology at ATU-Ozark Campus, effective Aug. 20, 2021; Weiru Chen, assistant professor of computer and information science, effective Aug. 20, 2021; Hayden Darr, coordinator of student recruitment at ATU-Ozark Campus, effective Oct. 11, 2021; Dr. Indira Dutta, assistant professor of computer and information science, effective Aug. 23, 2021; Julie Ennis, grants coordinator, effective Sept. 20, 2021; Robin Ghosh, assistant professor of computer and information science, effective Aug. 30, 2021; Brianna Ingram, assistant director of academic services at ATU-Ozark Campus, effective Oct. 6, 2021; Dr. Mohammad Amjadi Kashani, visiting assistant professor of mechanical engineering, effective Aug. 17, 2021; Dr. Mi-Jin Kim, visiting instructor of music, effective Sept. 7, 2021; Michael Milum, assistant baseball coach, effective Aug. 20, 2021; Xiaolei Tang, assistant professor of rehabilitation science, effective Sept. 30, 2021; and Kristian Thompson, director of NCAA compliance and game day operations, effective Oct. 8, 2021.
The board accepted resignations from the following ATU employees:
*Jacquelyn Gearhart, coordinator of student recruitment at ATU-Ozark Campus, effective Aug. 24, 2021; C. Cody Harkness, workforce education faculty of automation at Arkansas Tech Career Center, effective Oct. 15, 2021; Daniel Thomas Hutcherson, skilled tradesman, effective Sept. 13, 2021; Israel Medina-Sanchez, skilled tradesman, effective July 23, 2021; Holly Newman, workforce education faculty of paramedic and emergency medical technician at ATU-Ozark Campus, effective Dec. 10, 2021; Susie Nicholson, director of NCAA compliance and assistant Title IX officer, effective July 14, 2021; Robert Vickery, workforce education faculty of English at ATU-Ozark Campus, effective Sept. 17, 2021; Dr. Guolin Yi, assistant professor of history, effective Dec. 9, 2021; and Dr. Hye Sun You, assistant professor of physical sciences, effective Sept. 30, 2021.
