ACC celebrated the 29 graduates of the ACC Leadership Institute Class of 2026 on Monday, October 12, during the 2026 Arkansas Community Colleges Conference in Hot Springs.
Established in 2008, the ACC Leadership Institute has now developed 442 emerging and current community college leaders across Arkansas. Each year, participants engage in a series of sessions designed to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their professional knowledge, and prepare them for roles of greater responsibility within the state’s two-year colleges. Since its inception, the Leadership Institute has played a vital role in cultivating leaders who advance the mission of Arkansas’s community colleges: providing accessible, high-quality education that strengthens the state’s workforce and communities.
“Since 2008, the ACC Leadership Institute has prepared nearly 500 leaders for Arkansas’s community colleges, and the results speak for themselves.” said Dr. Collin Callaway, Executive Director of ACC. “Sixteen of our graduates have gone on to serve as community college presidents in Arkansas, and countless others now lead as vice presidents and senior leaders in academics, student services, workforce development, and administration. This graduating class represents our State’s top talent, and I am confident they have a promising future ahead of them.”
This year’s graduating class represents community colleges from across Arkansas and includes the following leaders:
Arkansas Northeastern College: Dustin Kemper, Jernal Woods
Arkansas State University–Beebe: Teri Roper, Dr. Kayla Sapatkota
Arkansas State University–Mountain Home: Alysha Bramblett
Arkansas State University Mid-South: Bridget Stewart
Arkansas State University–Newport: Dr. Monica Mobley
Arkansas State University Three Rivers: Scott Sikora
Black River Technical College: Brittany Milligan, Erin Kerley Mathews
NorthWest Arkansas Community College: Bob Coutch, Julie Doner
Ozarka College: Tiffany Miller
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas: Kayla Holland
Southern Arkansas University Tech: Dr. Rickey Rogers
Southeast Arkansas College: Courtney Kline
South Arkansas College: Mary Kate Sumner
University of Arkansas Cossatot: Katy Garcia, Dennis Guzman
University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville: Jeanette Youngblood
University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton: Shelby Beck, Dr. Tonja Fillippino
University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College: Lisa Griffin, Jerry Stegall
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana: Marla Bush
University of Arkansas North Arkansas College: Paul Edmondson
University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College: Dr. Jeremy Isome
University of Arkansas Rich Mountain: Lindsey Drewry, Allyson Miller
The ACC Leadership Institute exemplifies ACC’s commitment to developing leaders who collaborate, inspire innovation, and drive growth across Arkansas’s two-year colleges. By investing in leadership development, ACC helps prepare community college professionals to meet the evolving needs of students, employers, and communities throughout the state.
ACC is a non-profit association representing all 22 public community colleges in Arkansas. ACC members include all twenty-two of the state’s comprehensive community colleges, executive director, and staff. These members are a collective voice to maximize resources and efforts that serve Arkansas students, communities, and business/industry.