Project Lead, a mentorship initiative offered to students in the Arkansas Tech University College of Business and Economic Development, began its 2025-26 academic year program with a session at Chambers Cafeteria West Dining Room on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Through Project Lead, upper level student ambassadors from the ATU College of Business and Economic Development are paired with freshman Project Lead participants as a means of increasing connections in support of student success.
Project Lead is made possible through a grant from the Loyd Foundation, which made a five-year commitment to the initiative in 2022. The program was conceived by Kathy and Randy Loyd of the Loyd Foundation and ATU President Dr. Russell Jones, who established Project Lead during his tenure as dean of the ATU College of Business and Economic Development from 2020-23.
The year-opening Project Lead gathering featured personal development and team-building workshops led by Dr. Phillip McClure, a facilitator and speaker based in Fort Smith.
ATU upper-level students Morgan Blamey, Caleb Carter, Josiah Carter, Seth Kolb, Ashley Muller and Cara Willmon participated in a panel discussion about success in college and the value of the Project Lead program.
Learn more about the ATU College of Business and Economic Development at www.atu.edu/business.
