Academic Advising

Mission

To promote and empower students to achieve academic and career success leading to a life of continual learning, self-sufficiency, and quality of life.

Vision 
To strive for intentional planning, purposeful collaboration, and a result-oriented perspective

Academic Advisors

Kathy Reaves

Kathy Reaves, Director of Advising

  • Associate of Arts/General Studies
  • Business
  • Criminal Justice
  • Entertainment and Media Arts
  • Forestry Technology
  • Medium/Heavy Truck Diesel Service Technology

870-864-7141 
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ECC 253 (located in Student Services)  

About Kathy

I grew up in Mt. Holly and graduated from high school in 1974 (yes, I am that old!!!). I attended SAU and graduated in May 1977 with my bachelor’s degree in English Education. After marrying my wonderful husband in September of that same year, we moved to Little Rock. My 2 sons were born there, and in 1990 we moved to Texas.  

I have been back in South Arkansas for the past 16 years. I have worked most of that time with Career Pathways, but recently moved to Advising full time.  I love what I do, and one of the best “perks” of my job is watching our students walk across the stage at graduation!

Vince Dawson

Kevin Seymore, Academic Advisor

  • Nursing
  • Surgical Technology
  • Physical Therapy Assistant students.

870-875-7207
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ECC 259 (located in Student Services)

About Kevin

Hello, if you clicked here, it means I might be seeing you soon! Here is some information before our meeting about who I am and where I come from. I was born here in El Dorado and have deep family ties to Union county, but was raised in Crossett where I grew up doing a lot of the activities, such as hunting and fishing along the Ouachita river, that mark life in South Arkansas. My father graduated from Oil Belt (now the East Campus) and provided for his family from the machine shop certificate that he earned, so I know from direct experience how impactful and beneficial an education from South Arkansas College can be.

My own educational path has been one of studying the humanities, English and history, and student services. Education for me has opened doors to teaching at Old Main in Fayetteville, to teaching on an aircraft carrier (USS George Washington), to more recently working as an academic advisor for seventeen years at Oklahoma State University where I helped students earn degrees in economics, history, psychology, liberal arts, and American Studies. Now I am excited to start helping the students of South Arkansas College become nurses, surgery techs, and physical therapy assistants! What wonderful, helpful professions!

 For fun, I still enjoy getting out in the woods and waters of South Arkansas, but in recent years I have added a brush and paint to my enjoyment of the Natural State. In my office, you will find on display my oil paintings of places in Arkansas you might have visited yourself. I also follow the Razorbacks closely and am always in the mood for talking about the Hogs, even after painful losses, talk therapy, haha. I look forward to working with you and helping you reach your goals.  Please don’t hesitate to call on me for assistance. If I don’t know the answer right away, I promise I will seek it out and get back to you.

Sarah Sullivant

Sarah Johnson, Academic Advisor/Retention Specialist

  • Automotive
  • General Technology
  • Industrial Engineering Technology: Industrial E&I and Maintenance
  • Industrial Engineering Technology: Chemical Process Technology
  • Welding
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Paramedic
  • Medical Coding
  • Radiologic Technology

870-875-7233
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ECC 255 (located in Student Services)

About Sarah

SouthArk has wonderful programs, and I truly believe the opportunities we have here can help you achieve success. I transferred several credits from SouthArk to Louisiana Tech University which helped me complete my Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2013, and I am thrilled to be working as an advisor! My door is always open for you; if I don't know the answer, I promise I will work to point you in the right direction.

I love to read, travel, golf, kayak, hike, and listen to live music. I live by the motto "It always seems impossible until it's done" -Nelson Madela. Come by my office or send me an email. You are always welcome!

Susan Spicher

Susan Spicher, Education and Early Childhood Program Director  

  • Education

870-864-7184 
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Whitfield classroom building, 2nd floor, north end  

About Susan

I consider advising and learning as a partnership. We all work together and we all learn together. Even after all these years I have plenty to learn about children, teaching, administration, and just life in general. My goal is to be a resource and a mentor to each of my students and advisees so you may work continually toward your full potential and goals.

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio and I am the fourth of nine children.   I can't really remember a time that I did not enjoy being with children. At the age of 10, I was already developing my teaching and nurturing skills. In high school I took a DCT training program that allowed me to go to school half day and work half day. My first position was as a teacher's aide in a 3 year old class. This first experience helped me to confirm that education was my calling.

What I have learned through life is there is nothing that can stop you when you set a goal and focus on accomplishing that goal. Life happens for all of us. When I went to undergraduate school I was able to attend full time for two years and then after getting married attended part time. It took me 15 years to get a Bachelor’s degree that came about through several major life changes and realigning of goals.

My career path has led me through 7 years as an Early Childhood Teacher, 20 years as an Early Childhood Program Director that included being the principal of a private elementary school. I have worked as a consultant in the reimagining and design of several early childhood programs.  I was an adjunct professor in Early Childhood Education for 11 years in the Los Angeles area before moving to Arkansas to take my position as Education Program Director in 2012. Through the years I continued my formal education acquiring a Master’s degree in Education and a second Master’s in Early Childhood Education in addition to course work for a PhD in Early Childhood Education.

My little family includes my husband of 40 years and my youngest brother, Andy, who is an adult with developmental disability. Then of course there is our dog, Diamond, who brings so much joy to our lives. In my spare time I love to oil paint, draw, crafting, crochet, and sing gospel/Christian music. I love to laugh and strive to bring joy into the lives of all those I encounter.

There are always going to be obstacles in life, but we must keep our eye on the goal. My little family does what we need to do to keep going toward the goal. Years ago when my mother gave me my first "grown up" Bible she wrote on the inside of the front cover, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13. So this has become my life's motto. Good times or bad, abundance or famine...there is nothing that I cannot handle.

1. How are advisors assigned to students? Advisors are assigned to students according to major.

2. How do I schedule an appointment with an advisor? Click to schedule an appointment with an advisor: http://www.southark.edu/admissions-enrollment/student-advising-coaches and click the Schedule Appointment button.

3. How does an advisor help students? Advisors help students realize the appropriate number of classes to attempt each semester to help them achieve their goals. They assist with schedule planning, time management suggestions, referrals and suggestions to other people or departments who might be able to assist students with whatever challenges they are facing, intervening when students are at risk of not passing classes, and graduation paperwork.

4. What are your hours of operation? Monday -Thursday 8:00-5:30; Friday 8:00 - noon. 

5. Do you ever advise by phone or email if a student can’t come to the campus? Yes, advisors are available in-person, virtually, and by phone. 

6. If I want to go to SouthArk for two years and then transfer to a four year university, what should my major be at SouthArk? An Associate of Arts degree will transfer seamlessly to a four year university. You may also wish to speak with our transfer advisor as we have multiple 2+2's with university partners that may be of interest to you as well.

7. Am I able to take a course that is not on my degree plan? It is imperative that students receiving financial aid or scholarships only take classes on their degree plan. If a student is taking a class that it is not on their degree plan, then the student would be responsible for paying for that class out of their own pocket.

8. How do I know if a class I took will transfer? Arkansas schools use a helpful website we refer to as ACTS, which stands for Arkansas Course Transfer System. The website is maintained by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education. For schools outside of Arkansas, check with your advisor and the receiving institution.

9. Can I register for classes online? Students with a 2.5 GPA and who have earned 12 or more hours are eligible to register online.

10. How do online classes work? Online classes are taken through Blackboard. There is a link to Blackboard on the SouthArk website. Some instructors might require test to be proctored on campus, but some or all of the work in an online class is done online.

11. What is a hybrid class? A hybrid class usually meets once per week rather than twice, and the remainder of the courses is done online.

12. If I need to add or drop a class, can I just call? If you call, we will talk you through the process of where you can find the Add/Drop form on our website. A student’s signature is required in order to make changes to a schedule.

13. What if I need assistance off campus? A list of community resources can be found here.

14. What is academic probation and/or suspension? All SouthArk students are expected to make satisfactory academic progress in all the classes they take. Students are expected to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA or higher while enrolled.

Please review the academic probation and suspension policies listed in the College Catalog located here: SouthArk Catalog Academic Standards. Please contact your Academic Advisor if you still have questions after reviewing the academic policies.

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