{"id":12177,"date":"2026-09-04T11:26:49","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T16:26:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/?p=12177"},"modified":"2026-09-04T11:27:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T16:27:17","slug":"sau-system-board-of-trustees-receives-updates-from-sau-and-sau-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/2026\/sau-system-board-of-trustees-receives-updates-from-sau-and-sau-tech\/","title":{"rendered":"SAU System Board of Trustees receives updates from SAU and SAU Tech"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

From L to R: Dr. Bruno Hicks, Jason Sullivan, Monty Harrington, Gary Sewell, Iverson Jackson, and Joe Pieratt<\/p><\/div>\n

The Southern Arkansas University System Board of Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, September 3, at Southern Arkansas University Tech in East Camden.<\/p>\n

Trustees approved the previous meeting minutes and heard news on the fall semester, workforce development, general campus updates and improvements, and new initiatives across the SAU System.<\/p>\n

The meeting opened with a presentation from the SAU Tech baseball program. Chris Lara, head baseball coach, and Spencer Searcey, assistant coach, shared their vision for building a program centered on academics, accountability, personal development, and competition. Student-athletes also spoke about their experiences at SAU Tech and the close-knit campus community.<\/p>\n

Dr. Bruno Hicks, SAU president, opened his report with an update on the fall semester, noting an increase in the incoming freshman class. Hicks highlighted the University’s continued focus on student engagement, retention, and creating a strong sense of community for students beginning their college experience.<\/p>\n

Among his updates, Hicks highlighted LiTHIUMLEARNS and the University’s mobile STEM lab, which has already traveled to numerous schools and communities across Arkansas since arriving this summer. The initiative is designed to introduce elementary students to STEM concepts at an early age and encourage greater interest in mathematics, science, and engineering. The mobile lab was on-site and available for trustees and guests to tour following the meeting. The mobile lab is part of SAU’s broader workforce development efforts and will eventually be housed at the University’s new Workforce Development Center.<\/p>\n

Hicks also introduced Dr. Neelie Dobbins as SAU’s new dean of education and recognized new members of the SAU Foundation Board of Governors and Alumni Association Board. He reported that the SAU Foundation’s endowment has reached approximately $71 million, reflecting continued growth in private support for the University.<\/p>\n

Additional updates included plans for a Mulerider mascot reunion, upcoming alumni activities, and the September 17 Farmers Bank & Trust Distinguished Speaker Series featuring former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner. Hicks also highlighted Giving Day, scheduled for October 22, and recent improvements to the student experience, including the addition of pickleball courts and a fitness court.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Dr. Jerry Thomas touring the SAU Mobile STEM lab<\/p><\/div>\n

Facility improvements at Wilkins Stadium are also progressing, with exterior upgrades, lettering, logos, and signage expected to enhance the facility further.<\/p>\n

SAU Tech Chancellor Dr. Jerry Thomas provided an update on the start of the fall semester and the College’s continued expansion of academic programs, workforce training, and industry partnerships.<\/p>\n

Thomas highlighted several programs developed or expanded in response to workforce needs, including the Environmental Training Academy, the return of the sonography program, and a newly rebranded cybersecurity Career Academy pathway for high school students.<\/p>\n

Thomas also reported progress on SAU Tech\u2019s planned defense manufacturing training facility, including approval of $5 million in equipment funding and continued work toward $15 million in infrastructure funding. The College has issued requests for qualifications for an architect and construction manager and is planning a groundbreaking ceremony for October. The facility will support workforce training for the defense manufacturing industry and strengthen the talent pipeline for the Highland Industrial Park and the state.<\/p>\n

Thomas also reported progress on additional campus improvements funded through a $5 million HIRED Grant. Approximately $1.5 million has been invested in modernizing instructional spaces, purchasing new equipment, and improving training environments.<\/p>\n

SAU Tech has also received a $2 million grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council to support improvements to student housing. Planned renovations include bathrooms, electrical and lighting improvements, interior finishes, and other building systems. The project is expected to add approximately 16 to 20 additional beds to campus housing, providing additional capacity for students, athletics, and potentially workforce interns.<\/p>\n

Dr. Robin Sronce, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Southern Arkansas University, and Dr. Valerie Wilson, vice chancellor for academic affairs at SAU Tech, presented proposed academic program changes for their respective campuses, which the Board approved.<\/p>\n

Following the executive session, the Board approved personnel changes and adjourned the meeting.<\/p>\n

About SAU:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Southern Arkansas University provides students with the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today. As part of this commitment, SAU proudly offers the Next Step Guarantee program, ensuring that students receive the necessary resources, career guidance, and support to transition successfully from college to their chosen careers or graduate studies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Southern Arkansas University System Board of Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, September 3, at Southern Arkansas University Tech in East Camden. Trustees approved the previous meeting minutes and heard news on the fall semester, workforce development, general campus updates and improvements, and new initiatives across the SAU System. The meeting opened with… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":12179,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[578,7753],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-board-of-trustees","category-homepage","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12177"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12184,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12177\/revisions\/12184"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}