Four alumnae of Arkansas Tech University and one ATU administrator have been selected as members of Leadership Arkansas Class XXI.
Dr. Jessica Freeman, Kelli Lamberson, Amber Rush and Maggie Waymack-Cope are the ATU graduates chosen to participate in the statewide professional development program during 2026-27.
They will be joined by, among others, Dr. John Lewis, ATU vice president for enrollment management.
Freeman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from ATU. She is associate vice chancellor of workforce education and training at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.
Lamberson graduated from ATU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English education. She serves as a field representative for U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman.
Rush earned her Master of Business Administration degree at Arkansas Tech. She is vice president of finance at Ozarka College.
Waymack-Cope is a two-time ATU graduate, having received Bachelor of Science in health and physical education and Master of Education in kinesiology and exercise science degrees. After a 15-year career in education, she is now employed as an account executive with Pinnacle Structures.
Lewis joined the ATU administration on Jan. 1, 2026. His professional experiences began by serving as a financial aid counselor at Arkansas State (2000-05). He went on to become director of financial aid at University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (2005-08), University of Tennessee Health Science Center (2008-13) and Christian Brothers University (2013-18) before joining University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College dean of admissions and financial aid. He was promoted to vice chancellor for enrollment management and student life at UA-PTE in June 2023.
Leadership Arkansas is an Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas program designed to develop emerging and established business, civic and community leaders who have the desire and potential to create a better Arkansas.
The mission of Leadership Arkansas is to challenge, inform, inspire and engage current and future business and civic leaders to enhance the economies of, and the communities within, the state of Arkansas. Since its inception in 2005, Leadership Arkansas has educated and engaged approximately 1,000 alumni representing almost every county in Arkansas.
Learn more about Leadership Arkansas at https://arkansasstatechamber.com/leadership-arkansas.
