Jo Ann Nalley to Receive Honorary Doctoral Degree

JONESBORO – Arkansas State University will confer the honorary Doctor of Public Service degree upon Jo Ann Nalley of Jonesboro, one of A-State’s longest serving and most dedicated staff members, during the Spring Commencement ceremony.

The recognition is scheduled during the 10 a.m. ceremony Saturday, May 9, at First National Bank Arena.

At a special meeting Monday, April 27, the Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees approved the resolution to award the honorary doctoral degree to Nalley, who is completing her 55th year with the university and leading the childhood services program.

During her career, Nalley has secured more than $256 million in state and federal grants to support childhood services programs statewide. The actual total is not known, given that university financial records go back only 25 years.

She was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the fall Faculty Conference last August, as her colleagues commended her for her vision and dedication to young children’s education. In response, she credited the staff members who have made her success possible and thanked the mentors who guided her, adding, “They’re the ones that showed me the vision to move forward. It hasn’t been me. It’s been this university that’s given me the opportunity . . . to go serve the community.”

Nalley, who began her A-State career in 1971, leads an outreach unit, A-State Childhood Services, which extends its services and has an impact throughout the state. She was introduced at the conference as a woman “whose name has become synonymous with early childhood education in Arkansas.”

Her work has supported licensed early education and youth programs, provided technical assistance, and made possible in-service training for thousands of educators.

Recognized as a tireless advocate, speaking with policymakers, business leaders and parents alike, Nalley helped shape the Arkansas Better Chance program, co-founded the Invest Early in Education Coalition, and led initiatives like Arkansas Children’s Week, which for more than 30 years has celebrated literacy and joyful learning.

Nalley earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at A-State in elementary and early childhood education. She has never stopped being an ambassador for the university — bringing national attention to programs, involving faculty in statewide projects, and hosting the annual Childhood Services Conference that draws educators from across Arkansas. The 53rd annual edition was held last August.