Four A-State Graduates to be Recognized as Emerging Young Alumni
JONESBORO – The 2026 recipients of the Emerging Young Alumni (EYA) Award at Arkansas State University have been announced by the A-State Alumni Association and Student Philanthropy Council. This marks the eighth year of the recognition program honoring Arkansas State's outstanding young alumni.
Those selected as Emerging Young Alumni are individuals who, through professional achievement, leadership, philanthropy and service, have made significant contributions to A-State, their professions and their communities.
The four EYA recipients will be recognized during a luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, in the Cooper Alumni Center, 2600 Alumni Blvd. Individuals wishing to attend may RSVP by Thursday, Oct. 1, at AStateAlumni.org/EYA26.
The 2026 recipients are:
Dr. Morgan Benefield
Benefield earned her bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University in 2014 before receiving her Doctor of Medicine degree with honors from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2018.
She completed a family medicine residency at the University of Alabama Family Medicine Residency Program, where she served as chief resident, followed by a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Alabama. Benefield later joined the university's faculty as an assistant professor and became its first director of women's sports medicine while serving as a team physician for Crimson Tide athletics.
After returning to Northeast Arkansas, Benefield joined Jonesboro Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, where she provides comprehensive sports medicine and musculoskeletal care. She currently serves as a team physician for Arkansas State University and several area high schools and is dedicated to advancing athlete health and safety while providing compassionate, evidence-based care to patients of all ages.
Erica McKay Huffstetler
Huffstetler earned a Bachelor of Science in health promotion from Arkansas State University in 2012 and has built a career focused on nonprofit leadership, community engagement and service.
She currently serves as marketing, fundraising and grants coordinator for TLC – The Learning Center of Northeast Arkansas, where she leads development initiatives that support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities while helping to expand opportunities for independence and inclusion.
Recognized as the 2025 Goodwill Ambassador of the Year by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Huffstetler has held leadership roles throughout Northeast Arkansas and currently serves as chair of the Chamber's A-State Committee. Her involvement with organizations including United Way of Northeast Arkansas, Junior Auxiliary of Jonesboro, Leadership Jonesboro, Leadership Paragould and Project CARE reflects her commitment to strengthening the region through service and collaboration.
A former member of the Arkansas State dance team and volunteer assistant coach for the A-State Red Wolves Dancers, Huffstetler has maintained a strong connection to her alma mater while continuing to make a meaningful impact across the community.
Robert Morris
A native of Sherwood, Morris earned a Bachelor of Science in strategic communication from Arkansas State University in 2018 before completing dual master's degrees in public service and public health through the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2020.
Morris serves as associate director of donor experience at UAMS, where he helps lead a mid-level donor program that has generated more than $7 million in philanthropic revenue. He has personally secured approximately $1 million in major and planned gifts and has presented nationally on innovative donor engagement and fundraising strategy.
His commitment to service and leadership has been recognized through honors including the R.E. Lee Wilson Award, the Distinguished Service Award and induction into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health. Morris remains actively involved with A-State as a 1924 Sustaining Life Member of the A-State Alumni Association and as a member of the university's Student Honors Awards Committee.
Joshua Mullinax
Mullinax serves as the state agriculture liaison and Northeast Arkansas field representative for U.S. Sen. John Boozman, working closely with farmers, ranchers, agribusiness leaders, rural communities and local governments throughout the region.
A native of the Arkansas Delta, Mullinax earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business from Arkansas State University in 2019 and a Master of Business Administration from A-State in 2024. Before joining Boozman's staff, he gained leadership experience in banking and private business management, developing expertise in agriculture, business operations and rural economic development.
In his current role, Mullinax advocates for Arkansas agriculture, assists constituents in navigating federal agencies, and helps address issues affecting one of the state's most important industries. Through his work with producers, community leaders and elected officials, he has built a reputation for service, collaboration and leadership across Northeast Arkansas.
