Dr. Robert Stevens, Arkansas Tech University associate professor of rehabilitation science, will preside over the 2026 Rehabilitation Counseling and Professional Association of Arkansas Conference as the organization’s president.
The conference is planned for Wednesday, May 20, through Friday, May 22, at Oaklawn Resort in Hot Springs.
Stevens reported that more than 200 individuals have registered as conference participants.
“We have partnered with the Arkansas Affiliate of the Association of Higher Education and Disability, the Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association and the Arkansas Counseling Association for this year’s conference,” said Stevens. “I am proud of this organization and all the great things we are doing to advocate for people with all different types of disabilities in Arkansas.”
Stevens is the second ATU faculty member to serve as president of the Rehabilitation Counseling and Professional Association of Arkansas.
Dr. Penny Willmering previously served in that role when the organization was known as the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association. Willmering joined the ATU faculty in 1999. She retired from ATU as professor of rehabilitation science and program director in 2021, but has remained involved in the program as an adjunct faculty member. She received the honorary title of ATU professor emerita of rehabilitation science from the ATU Board of Trustees in 2025.
Stevens joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 2017. He was promoted to associate professor and granted tenure by the ATU Board of Trustees in 2023.
A graduate of the Leadership Tech professional development program, Stevens received a mentor award from the ATU Graduate Student Council in 2026 in recognition of his dedication to supporting graduate students.
Learn more about the Rehabilitation Counseling and Professional Association of Arkansas at https://rcpaa.com.
