College in Malvern names new leader
The vice president for academic and student affairs at Rich Mountain Community College will become the new leader of the College of the Ouachitas.
Steve Rook, 52, will lead the Malvern-based community college starting June 6 and will earn $159,215 annually and have an additional $18,000 for housing, the school said. He is replacing Stephen Schoonmaker, who left the post in December because of "family changes," including a first grandchild.
Barry Ballard has served as interim president at the 1,444-student College of the Ouachitas.
Rook was one of four finalists chosen by an 11-member presidential search committee and recommended to the board, according to a news release.
"I am extremely honored to be offered the position of President at College of the Ouachitas," Rook said in a statement. "It's only once in a lifetime that a dream like this comes true. I promise to work my hardest for the institution, the Board, and the community."
Tech names Hinkle new finance officer
Arkansas Tech University has named a vice president for administration and finance.
Bernadette Hinkle, 51, will assume the post and its $190,000 annual salary on July 5, the Russellville university said. In that role, Hinkle will be responsible for all fiscal activities -- ranging from procurement to financial aid and payroll -- at the 12,009-student university.
Hinkle is replacing David Moseley, who is retiring at the end of June after 22 years in that role.
She will move from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where she has worked as associate vice president for finance, budget and business services since 2011, according to a news release. There, she oversaw a $290 million annual budget.
Before that, Hinkle worked at the University of Arkansas System for 15 years. She started at the UA System as an associate director of internal audit in 1995 and later became the director of financial reporting and associate vice president for finance. She then served as the chief financial officer for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service from 2000-10.
UCA center director picked for council
The director of a University of Central Arkansas center has been named to a council for the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis.
Amy Whitehead, director of UCA's Center for Community and Economic Development, will serve on the Community Development Advisory Council of the reserve branch that covers seven states, including Arkansas. She will serve a three-year term and meet biannually to review issues in the seven states and discuss ways that the Fed can support local development, according to a news release.
"I am pleased to have this opportunity to work with the council to identify promising practices that will assist Arkansas communities," Whitehead said in a news release. "UCA has partnered with the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank for many years to deliver the Community Development Institute and other state-wide economic development events."
The UCA center, which started in 1987, helps train community and economic development professionals in the state and in surrounding states.
NW News on 05/02/2016