Shawndra Washington and Chanel Hester will join the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff/AM&N National Alumni Association as new staff members beginning June 12.
Washington is the new director, replacing Kim Jones Sneed, who recently returned to work for UAPB as a public information writer.
Hester is the administrative assistant, replacing Crystal Burns, who retired after more than seven years of service to the association.
Tanesha Thompson, president and chair of the association’s board of directors, made the announcement Tuesday.
“I want to thank Ms. Jones Sneed and Ms. Burns for their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence,” Thompson said. “I, along with the board of directors, will truly miss them. I am also very excited about Dr. Shawndra Washington and Chanel Hester becoming a part of the National Alumni Association family. I look forward to working with them and allowing them an opportunity to showcase their talents and incorporate their visions for our future success.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Washington has a track record of fostering strong relationships and spearheading initiatives that drive organizational success in other professional endeavors ranging from community health promotion to pharmacy management, according to the news release.
A graduate of UAPB, Washington holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She also completed a Master of Public Administration degree with emphasis in healthcare administration from the University of Texas at Tyler. She’s also been an entrepreneur and held various management positions.
A resident of northwest Arkansas, Washington also has a special interest in healthcare policy, community health promotion, disease state management, mental wellness, and social justice. She has volunteered and served on the board of several organizations including the Junior League of Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, and the Northwest Arkansas affiliate of the American Diabetes Association. She has represented her county district as a Justice of the Peace for three terms.
“Washington is excited to partner with the UAPB board of directors to continue the charge of strengthening our alumni community, supporting the institution’s mission, and building a legacy of lasting impact,” according to the release.
Hester has a background in human resources, customer service, hospitality, retail, and visual design. As a human resources specialist at Caesars Entertainment in Baltimore, Hester handled clerical duties for the HR department, provided essential administrative support and facilitated recruiting and payroll processes.
As a Caesars Rewards representative, she excelled at customer engagement, identifying and soliciting premium slot customers while promoting the program. Previously, she served as a call center agent at Bloom Insurance Agency. She mastered the art of sales techniques and provided clients with comprehensive explanations of product plans and Medicare information, according to the release.
At MGM Gold Strike Tunica, as a Lead Players Club representative, Hester managed player accounts and communicated with VIP hosts. Hester’s experience extends into retail and hospitality, including being a beauty consultant at Bare Essentials Cosmetics in Towson, Md.
“Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, and Procreate enhances Hester’s visual design skills. These tools enable Hester to create visually appealing presentations and marketing materials, contributing to the association’s communication and outreach efforts. Hester is enthusiastic about bringing her diverse experience, strong organizational abilities, and creative talents to the National Alumni Association,” according to the release.