UAM names nursing school dean
Amanda Smith, assistant professor of nursing at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, has been named dean of the UAM School of Nursing, effective Dec. 16. She has been serving as the dean in an interim capacity since May, according to a news release.
A part-time faculty member at UAM since 2022, Smith has taught clinical courses in both the Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. She became a full-time employee at UAM in 2023, serving as assistant dean for the School of Nursing while continuing to teach.
Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UAM in 2007 and a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in nursing education from the University of Central Arkansas in 2024. In 2024, she was the graduate student recipient of the 2024 UCA School of Nursing Outstanding Nurse Educator Award.
She is pursuing a Ph.D. in nursing education and administration at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“I’ve enjoyed my experience as a student, faculty member and assistant dean at UAM, and I’m proud to now serve as dean and assist faculty and students in a greater capacity,” Smith said.
Smith brings more than 18 years of nursing experience to the School of Nursing, including specialties in medical-surgical nursing, geriatric psychiatry, home health, critical care, pediatrics and simulation education. She has served as a peer reviewer for BMC Nursing and currently serves on the Allied Health Advisory Board at the UAM College of Technology-McGehee, the National Park College Nursing Advisory Committee and the Jefferson School of Nursing Advisory Board.
She is a member of the National League for Nurses, the American Nurses Association, the Arkansas Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International and the Nurse Christian Fellowship. She is a member of the Ashley County Go Red Committee, the Arkansas Nurse Honor Guard’s Ashley County chapter and Cloverdale Assembly of God outreach programs. She recently participated in a medical mission trip to Kenya, Africa, providing care in rural clinics and instructing students at the Kilimanjaro School of Missions in basic first aid, according to the release.
Club to host Gillett Coon Supper
The Gillett Farmers and Businessmen’s Club will host the 82nd annual Coon Supper at 6 p.m. Jan. 10 in the Gillett High School Gymnasium.
The club is a non-profit and nonpolitical organization. For the past four years, the club has awarded the Gillett Farmers and Businessmen’s Scholarship to graduating seniors from the Gillett area.
Each student receives a $4,000 scholarship that encompasses four years. The club continues to use all proceeds from the coon supper to fund these scholarships and they will award more scholarships to seniors graduating in 2026.
The Gillett Coon Supper will be attended by many national, state and local politicians, and people from all over Arkansas and surrounding states. There will be recognition of the students from Gillett participating in DeWitt High School activities.
Coon supper T-shirts and hats will be available. For ticket information, contact Tyler Place at (870) 830-4422 or write to P.O. Box 577, Gillett, AR, 72055.
UAM-CTM to promote digital literacy
The University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology–McGehee (UAM-CTM) and the UAM Adult Education Center will launch the UAM Digital Literacy Program in January as part of the “3 Southern States Connected Communities Program.” The program launch will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 21 at UAM-CTM.
The regional effort is led by Digitunity and AT&T to expand computer access and digital skills training, according to a news release.
Several special guests will include representatives from Digitunity, AT&T and Congressman Bruce Westerman’s office, local mayors, and Chamber of Commerce directors. The event is free and open to the public.
Students who complete WAGE I and WAGE II employability courses will receive a refurbished laptop, and students in the Business Office Technology and Health Information Technology programs at UAM-CTM may check out laptops for use during their studies and keep them after graduation.
All participants will complete a digital literacy workshop on basic computer use, online safety and internet skills.
The laptops are refurbished and supplied through Digitunity, a national nonprofit that distributes donated technology to communities in need.
“We are profoundly privileged to advance this transformative initiative to expand technology access across southeast Arkansas,” Steven Jossell, vice chancellor of UAM-CTM, said.
“For far too long, communities in our region have confronted persistent technological barriers and limited access to computers and dependable, high-quality internet. Our charge is to dismantle those barriers so we can meaningfully elevate educational attainment and propel long-term economic vitality.”
Details: Jason Henry, director of Student Services at UAM-CTM, at henryj@uamont.edu or (870) 460-2130.