The College of Education and Health Professions embarked on its first WE CARE-A-VAN tour, marked by a lively Razorback sendoff featuring Big Red and the Razorbug. Dean Kate Mamiseishvili, along with 16 faculty and staff members, set off on a two-day adventure with stops in Morrilton, Pine Bluff, Little Rock, and Jacksonville. The tour, named as a play on the college’s WE CARE strategic plan, aimed to connect with alumni, partners, and communities across Arkansas.

In Morrilton, the development team hosted an alumni meetup, while the dean and her team met with officials at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. The Pine Bluff Country Club hosted a reception to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Arkansas Teacher Corps, a partnership between the college, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Arkansas Department of Education. The Pine Bluff event drew a large crowd, including ATC directors, alumni, and staff, as well as guests like Dean Kimberley Davis from the School of Education at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and U of A Trustee Col. Nate Todd.

On the second day, the WE CARE-A-VAN team visited the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Partners for Inclusive Communities, and Jacksonville Lighthouse Elementary School, where they observed scholar-led conferences. The tour concluded with a visit to Arkansas Children’s Hospital for a behind-the-scenes look and a meeting with Dr. Ashlie Hilbun, an alumna and senior vice president at the hospital.

Dean Kate Mamiseishvili expressed her satisfaction with the tour, stating that the team had created long-lasting memories and gained insights into potential collaborative opportunities. The college plans to conduct WE CARE-A-VAN tours several times a year to connect with various constituents, including schools, clinics, alumni, and stakeholders across the state.