President
Dr. Aubrey Holt
Arkansas Tech University
Dr. Aubrey Holt currently serves as the director of assessment for the division of student affairs and a visiting lecturer in leadership studies at Arkansas Tech University. She completed her Ed.D. in higher education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Previously, she served as the assistant dean for campus life at Arkansas Tech University. In this role, she coordinated the co-curricular experience program and the leadership living-learning community, as well as advised the student government association. She also oversaw the areas of civic engagement, fraternity and sorority life, registered student organizations, student activities, student leadership, and student transition. She served in various other roles within Campus Life since 2011.
Dr. Holt obtained her M.A.E. in student affairs in higher education at Western Kentucky University. Prior to her graduate work, she traveled to over 50 college campuses as an educational leadership consultant for Delta Zeta Sorority national headquarters to facilitate officer and membership development. She obtained her B.A. at Arkansas Tech University in broadcast journalism.
Her research interests include social return on investment (SROI), student engagement, collaboration, and co-curricular experiences.
Immediate Past President
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First Vice President
Dr. Dana Tribble
Arkansas Tech University
Dr. Dana Tribble is an Assistant Professor for the Department of Student Affairs Administration and coordinator for the first-year undergraduate student success skills courses (TECH 1001 & TECH 1013) as of August 2020. Before her assistant professor position, she served as the director of career services at Arkansas Tech University from 2012-2015. She also has experience in marketing and recruiting for the College of Business at Arkansas Tech University. Dr. Tribble is a passionate educator and enthusiastic advocate for all students pursuing their educational goals. Her research interests include but are not limited to, leader identity, leader identity development, leadership theories/models, positive psychology, self-authorship, grit, resilience, first-year student success courses, and first-generation students. Dr. Tribble resides in the River Valley with her family and enjoys running, hiking, boating, and gardening.
Second Vice President
Dr. Andrea Bishop
Harding University
Andrea Stark Bishop, PhD serves as Director of Harding University’s Center for Leadership & Development. In that role, she has oversight of the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL), three graduate certificate programs, and an undergraduate minor in Leadership and Innovation. Additionally, Bishop produces a monthly webinar focused on leadership topics and is the editor of Empowering Effective Leaders, a monthly blog written by students, faculty, and alumni of the MAOL program.
Dr. Bishop believes that good communication and good leadership cannot be separated. She focuses much of her teaching and research on helping leaders become more effective by improving their communication skills. With a PhD in Writing, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication, her focus on both written and spoken communication informs her leadership approach.
Andrea is the wife of Mike, the mom of Zach and Alec, and the chief pet wrangler of Violet-the-doodle and Sunny-the-basset-hound.
Third Vice President
Dr. Mary Margaret Cunningham
Arkansas State University
Dr. Mary Margaret Cunningham is currently an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Qualitative Methodologist at Arkansas State University. She has over 10 years of experience in various higher education settings, including administration; academic coaching; instruction at a community college; Division I student-athlete success; and teaching and research at a doctoral university with very high research activity.
She holds a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration, a Master of Arts in History, a Graduate Certificate in African and African American Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and History. She is currently completing a Ph.D. in Educational Statistics and Research Methods at the University of Arkansas. Past publications include peer-reviewed and practitioner-based journals and several presentations at international and national conferences. She is passionate about research methodologies, scholarly activism, connecting with students, and sharing research-based application techniques with higher education administrators, faculty, and staff. Her research areas include QuantCrit, qualitative inquiry, and differential item functioning (DIF). Dr. Cunningham’s hobbies include spending time with her family, reading, Peloton, and all things Disney.
Treasurer
Dr. Jeanine Myers
Arkansas Tech University
Dr. Jeanine Myers is a Professor of Mathematics at Arkansas Tech University. With a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Arkansas, an MS in Mathematical Sciences from Clemson University, and a BS in Mathematical Sciences from Baylor University, she has been instrumental in leading successful university-wide academic initiatives. Previously, as Mathematics Department Head, Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Success, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, she made significant contributions to curriculum development, innovative technology utilization, and student retention efforts. Dr. Myers has also served as Chair of the Oklahoma/Arkansas Section of the Mathematical Association of America and was honored as a Project NEXT Fellow. As an accomplished mathematician and visionary leader, she continues to shape the academic landscape and foster student success at Arkansas Tech University.
Secretary
Dr. Topeka Singleton
Arkansas State University
Dr. Singleton began her career in K-12 teaching and has been actively involved in higher education teaching and administration for over 22 years. Her interests in research include higher education leadership, accountability in higher education, and experiential learning. Dr. Singleton has served in several leadership roles over the span of her career. These roles include Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Assistant Director of Assessment and Accreditation on two separate occasions, Interim director of the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) within the Educational Leadership, Curriculum, and Special Education (ELSCE) department, and Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro. Topeka was recently awarded the University’s Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching, non-tenure track, at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro.
Communication Coordinator
Mary Margaret Debow
University of Arkansas: Pulaski Tech
Mary Margaret Debow is the Assistant Director of Advising at Pulaski Tech. Also, she is involved in Staff Senate and the Technology Supported Learning Committee. Before her current role, she served as an Academic Advisor for 1.5 years and, previously, taught middle school for 4 years. Mary Margaret earned a Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education from the University of Central Arkansas in 2018. For her graduate level work, she earned a Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration, and a Graduate Certificate in Advising from Arkansas Tech University in 2023. In the future, she plans to obtain a doctorate degree.
During her undergraduate years, she was an active participant in campus organizations and held many leadership positions. This is when her love for higher education truly blossomed. Some notable involvement at UCA included: Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Student Orientation Staff (SOS), UCA Ambassadors, President Leadership Fellows, and LEAD Team, just to name a few. Also, within these organizations, she was recognized for significant distinctions. These include: Collegiate Member of the Year for Arkansas, Who’s Who Among Students, UCA Service Award, Homecoming Nominee, “Love” Value Award, “Living Our Values” Award, Most Involved Collegiate Member and Woman of Character Award.
Mary Margaret is originally from Mansfield, Texas, but now calls Central Arkansas home. She cherishes the time spent with her family and 4 fur babies (2 Basset Hounds and 2 guinea pigs). Some of her interests include: reading, dancing, sports, traveling, and listening to music.
Membership Coordinator
Krystal Shipp
Arkansas Tech University
Krystal Shipp currently serves as the Director of Early Childhood Education and is an Instructor of Teaching and Educational Leadership at Arkansas Tech University. She teaches Classroom & Behavior Management, Literacy Assessment and Intervention, Development & Characteristics of Diverse Learners, and Methods & Materials Using Developmentally Appropriate Practice & Activities for Young Children. On top of teaching a full load of classes, Mrs. Shipp observes and evaluates student interns in the pre-K-12 classroom each semester. She is an education advisor who guides students about their class schedules & other college-related items. She serves as the ATU College of Education Facebook & Instagram social media co-coordinator. She also serves as the Spirit Squads Director. She coaches the Arkansas Tech cheerleaders. Mrs. Shipp was voted ATU Professor of the Year in 2021. Previously, Mrs. Shipp served as a public school teacher. In this role, she taught Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, and Fourth Grade. She was the principal designee, served on the leadership team, served on the response to intervention committee, and piloted a multisensory instruction classroom for students with exceptionalities. She was the Monticello teacher of the year in 2017 and the top educator in 2016. She is a National Board-certified teacher. She has her MA in Educational Leadership from Arkansas Tech University and a BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Arkansas.
Graduate Student Representative
Lynnlee Mitchell
Arkansas Tech University
“Lynnlee Mitchell is a Graduate Student at Arkansas Tech University where she is studying Higher Education and Student Affairs. In addition to being a graduate student, Lynnlee is a Graduate Assistant for the School of PACE as an instructor for Tech 1013 and 1001 First Year Experience Courses. Lynnlee’s presentation experience includes a state conference on the topic of “Exploring Reasons for Departure from K-12 to Higher Education”.
Lynnlee earned a Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education from Arkansas Tech University in 2024. Lynnlee was named 2023 Sorority Member of the Year, received the Service Excellence Award, and was recognized in Arkansas Tech University’s 2024 Who’s Who honorees.
In her free time, Lynnlee spends her time crafting, reading, and spending time with friends and family.”
Northwest Regional Representative
Holly Haynes
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
Holly Haynes is the Retention Advisor for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural/Geospatial Studies with minors in Anthropology and Geography from Arkansas Tech University. She obtained a Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration and a Graduate Certificate of Advising at Arkansas Tech University in 2022.
During her undergraduate career, she worked as a Teacher’s Assistant. She was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and the International Honor Society in Psychology. Through her academic achievement and involvement, she was recognized in Arkansas Tech University’s 2020 Who’s Who honorees. During her graduate work, she was a Teaching Graduate Assistant. She was also a member of Chi Sigma Alpha Student Affairs Honor Society International and Alpha Chi Honor Society.
She lives in the Ozark National Forest, 20 minutes outside of Clarksville, Arkansas. She is an animal lover; She has two dogs, one aquatic turtle, and a cat. When she is not busy with her animals, she spends her time playing video games or watching YouTube.
Northeast Regional Representative
Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch
Arkansas State University
Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch is Dean of the Graduate School and Professor of History at Arkansas State University. An award-winning scholar of Rural, Women’s, and African American history, Dr. Jones-Branch is the author of Crossing the Line: Women and Interracial Activism in South Carolina during and after World War II, Better Living By Their Own Bootstraps: Black Women’s Activism in Rural Arkansas, 1913-1965, and the co-editor of Arkansas Women: Their Lives and Times. Her next book project, titled “. . . To Make the Farm Bureau Stronger and Better for All the People:” African Americans and the American Farm Bureau Federation: 1920-1966, will be published by the University of Arkansas Press’ “Rural Black Studies” series of which she is co-editor. She is also the co-founder of the Arkansas Delta Women’s Leadership Academy, which aims to increase the number and visibility of women leaders in the Delta region by providing them with leadership training and networking opportunities. Dr. Jones-Branch is a U.S. Army Persian Gulf War Veteran.
Central Regional Representative
Natasha Branch
Arkansas Tech University
Natasha Branch is a Post Award Grants and Contracts Accountant in the Office of Budget at Arkansas Tech University. She is originally from Donetsk, Ukraine, and currently resides in Pottsville, Arkansas, with her family. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international business relations from Donetsk National University in June 2000, and a Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration from Arkansas Tech University in May 2024. Natasha has 24 years of experience in global higher education in Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. She is trilingual and enjoys cooking Eastern European cuisine, knitting, gardening, and traveling. She is a member of the Chi Sigma Alpha Honor Society, a recipient of Tradition Keeper 2024, and the Who is Who Award 2024.
Southwest Regional Representative
Dr. Melody Mayo
Southern Arkansas University
Melody Mayo is an Assistant Professor of Education at Southern Arkansas University (SAU). She earned
her BBA in 2002 and her M.Ed. in Secondary Education in 2007, both from SAU. She earned her Ed.D. in
Higher Education Leadership from Walden University in 2018. Melody has been in higher education for
22 years. She began her career in the School of Graduate Studies as an administrative assistant. During
her time in graduate studies, she served as the graduate recruiter, coordinator of special projects, and
assistant dean. In 2023, she became a full-time faculty member and program director for the Higher,
Adult, and Lifelong Education and the College Counseling and Student Affairs programs.