Fall 2020 saw the arrival of several new full-time faculty, including Dr. Jordan Butcher, assistant professor of political science. Before coming to A-State, Butcher was wrapping up her Ph.D. at the University of Missouri. Her professional interests include legislative politics and state government, and she has particular interest in institutionalization and legislative careers. Making a visit to all 50 state capitols is one of her personal goals.

The inaugural affiliate faculty for the Center for No-Boundary Thinking has been announced by Provost Alan Utter. The center, approved in March by Board of Trustees resolution, is led by Dr. Xiuzhen Huang, professor of computer science. Twenty-three members of A-State's faculty, representing all seven colleges, are members of the inaugural faculty, along with representatives from St. Bernards Medical Center, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The complete list is available online.

Dr. Sarath Nonis, professor of marketing, is lead author of an article published in the Journal of Teaching International Business. Co-authors are former faculty members Dr. Clint Relyea and Dr. Shane Hunt. They explain a pedagogical exercise, “Developing Students' Global Mindset: An Experiential Event-Based Approach." Data from multiple events and campuses show the exercise expands a student’s global mindset and broadens one's perspective about self, others and their world.

Another new full-time faculty member this fall at A-State is Dr. John Artim, lecturer in biology. Most recently he taught in a temporary capacity. Before earning his Ph.D. in environmental sciences at A-State, he worked as a software engineer. His current research focuses on coastal marine ecology, and one of his goals in his new position is developing research projects involving his undergraduate students.

Welcome to Jarod Matheney, who recently joined the First National Bank Arena management staff as director of operations. Matheney's previous experience includes roles as facilities director and as building manager with the University of Central Arkansas and University of Tennessee-Knoxville.  He completed his bachelor's degree in exercise science at UCA and his master's in higher education at Arkansas Tech.