Fifteen Arkansas Tech University faculty members have been placed in externships by the ATU Center for Community Engagement and Academic Outreach as part of a new initiative designed to strengthen ties between the institution and the community.
“Unlike a student internship, a faculty externship places faculty members within an industry, non-profit, government agency or community organization for a short period of time,” said Dr. Julie Mikles-Schluterman, ATU professor of sociology and director of the ATU Center for Community Engagement and Academic Outreach. “The goal is for faculty to gain first-hand insight into workplace practices, emerging technologies and workforce needs, then bring those experiences back into their teaching, research and mentoring.”
ATU faculty members included in the initial outreach of 15 externships are Dr. Mohammed Amjadi, Jessica Brock, Cass Capen-Housley, Robin Dalton, Dr. Amber Harrington, Dr. Sean Huss, Dr. Mehmet Kelestemur, Dr. Bill Morelan, Dr. Abdus Siddique, Dr. Heather Stefanski, Megan Toland, Dr. Jason Warnick, Dr. Wan Wei, Susan West and Dr. Zahra Zamanipour.
Community partners engaged in the program include Arkansas Nuclear One, Butterball, Communities Unlimited, Conductor, Dardanelle Housing Authority, FlaktGroup SEMCO, Molex, Pope County Emergency Medical Services, Pottsville School District, Predictum Health, Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, Russellville Mayor Fred Teague, St. Mary’s Regional Health System, Staffmark, Trane and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development.
Including stipends, travel funds and registration fees, these 15 initial externships represent an investment of $46,800 in Arkansas Tech by AR-NETWORK (Arkansas Nexus for Excellence in Technology, Workforce, Outreach and Research Knowledge).
“While faculty certainly benefit professionally, the ultimate goal of the externships is to create better learning experiences for our students,” said Mikles-Schluterman. “Faculty return to the classroom with current industry knowledge, stronger professional networks and new ideas that help students better understand career opportunities and prepare for the workforce.
“These externships are about more than a four-week experience,” continued Mikles-Schluterman. “They are designed to build long-term relationships between ATU and our industry and community partners. Those relationships often lead to new research collaborations, internships, interdisciplinary project-based learning (IPBL) opportunities, guest speakers and other partnerships that benefit both the university and our partners. The goal isn’t simply for faculty to spend time in industry. It’s to build lasting partnerships that connect teaching, research and community engagement while better preparing our students for the workforce and strengthening communities across Arkansas.”
Visit www.atu.edu/ipbl to learn more about the ATU Center for Community Engagement and Academic Outreach.
