South Arkansas College Foundation

A message from SouthArk's Career Pathways Initiative: You must meet some of the basic eligibility requirements listed below to be eligible for Career Pathways: Basic eligibility requirements include the following: You must be an Arkansas resident AND You must be a parent with children under the age of 21 (both married and single people are eligible) AND You must have an annual family income below 250% of the federal poverty level (about $78,000 annually for a family of four). Career Pathways may assist you with books, gas vouchers, childcare, and tuition while you are a student here at SouthArk. The application link to complete & submit is included below. The application contains a release form, responsibility agreement, TANF form, Individual Career Plan & Individual Employment Plan, and a listing of documentation required for our program. Also attached is a fillable/printable application. You can bring the application with your documents to the SouthArk Admissions Office in the El Dorado Conference Center on the second floor, or upload your documents with the links below. DO NOT SEND PERSONAL DOCUMENTS THROUGH EMAIL FOR SECURITY PURPOSES. If you would like to send your printed application & documents in, please use the Student Portal link below. https://form.jotform.com/222775087247060 (Career Pathways Application & Document Upload) https://form.jotform.com/222766683277065 (Student Portal – upload documents only) We will be happy to review it once we receive it. We'll reach out to you if we have any questions. When all the information is received, we will schedule an intake appointment (Zoom meeting or in person) with Bre, our Career Pathways Director. Without all of your documentation, you will not be able to receive any possible benefits for which you may qualify.

Congratulations to Mandi Haynes! Mandi was this year's winner of the prestigious Thomas G. Baumgardner Student's Choice Award! Mr. Baumgardner, a long-time resident of El Dorado, taught classes at the college from 1981 to 1995. Active in community affairs, he served on numerous boards, including the South Arkansas College board of trustees. This award is determined by students and presented annually to a faculty member who has been the most helpful and supportive to their students. The winner receives a $500 check to be used for faculty development activities such as the purchase of materials to enhance classroom teaching and attending conferences or seminars. Congratulations Mandi!

🚀 Success takes flight from a solid launchpad. At the SouthArk Foundation, that launchpad is built by you, our generous donors. Your support fuels bright futures, big dreams, and boundless possibilities. 🌌✨ Thank you for helping our students reach for the stars. 🌠 🌟 Be the reason someone soars—donate today at www.southarkfoundation.com!

🍭✨ Sweet Success! ✨🍭 Today’s Candyland-themed Employee Recognition Lunch was a colorful celebration of the amazing people who make our college community so special! A heartfelt thank you to all our incredible employees — your hard work, dedication, and passion are the true ingredients that make SouthArk such a wonderful place to learn and grow. 🍬👏 And a very special thank you to our planning committee for turning a fun idea into such a memorable event. Your creativity and effort made the day truly unforgettable! 🙌🎉 Here’s to celebrating YOU — the sweetest part of our campus! 🍫💼🌟

Students, Stop into the Mahony Family Library and take advantage of all the fantastic resources they offer!

🎉 ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! 🎉 Today we celebrate culture, community, and resilience. Wishing our students, alumni, and friends a joyful and safe Cinco de Mayo!

🌸 Happy May Day from the SouthArk Foundation! 🌸 Today we’re celebrating the season of growth, renewal, and opportunity—just like the journey of our incredible students. Thanks to our generous donors, scholarships are helping students bloom into the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. Want to help more students flourish? 🌷 Join us in planting seeds for the future! Here’s to bright days ahead! ☀️ #MayDay #SupportStudents #BloomWithUs

🌎 Happy Earth Day from the SouthArk Foundation! 🌱 Today, we’re reminded of the power we have to protect and preserve our planet. Whether it's recycling, planting, or supporting campus sustainability projects—every small action matters. Let’s keep working together for a greener future! 💚 #EarthDay

🎉 Save the Date! 🎉 The SouthArk Foundation is thrilled to invite you to our Annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo — a day packed with fun, food, and family-friendly excitement! 📅 Mark your calendars — you won’t want to miss: 🎶 Live Music 🚗 Car Show 🏃‍♂️ The Hero 5K 🎨 Student Art Competition 🔥 Rib Cook-Off 🧒 Kids Activities 🛍️ Vendors & Exhibitors 🍔 Food Trucks Galore …and so much MORE! Bring the whole crew and help us celebrate everything that makes our community amazing! Stay tuned for more details – we can’t wait to see you there! #SouthArkOutdoorExpo #SaveTheDate #FamilyFun #SupportSouthArk

🌟Student Spotlight🌟 We are excited to announce Alexis Bougher as this month's Student Spotlight! Demonstrating exceptional academic performance, Alexis holds the highest grade average in her microbiology course. Her ability to think critically and apply learned concepts to real-world scenarios sets her apart, consistently leading to thoughtful and practical solutions. All coursework—including assignments, lab investigations, quizzes, and exams—is submitted promptly and with care. Such dedication, intellect, and consistency make this student truly an inspiration to her peers. It is our honor to feature Alexis Bougher as our SouthArk Foundation Student Spotlight! Congratulations, Alexis, on all of your incredible achievements! We celebrate you and your incredible educational journey!

Big News From the Mahony Family Library! Tutoring has officially moved into the library! 🎉 This exciting change is part of our broader vision to transform the library into a full-fledged Learning Commons — a vibrant hub where students can find support, explore ideas, and thrive. From research help to technology assistance, from good reads to great study vibes, we want the library to be the go-to space for everything students need to succeed. 📅 Check out the schedule below and help us spread the word! Whether it’s English, Math, Science, or Tech — our tutors are here and ready to help.

🌟New Board Member Introduction🌟 It is our pleasure here at the SouthArk Foundation to introduce our three newest additions to our Board of Directors, Felisha Aaron, Kristy Hayden, and Wil Hegi! Felisha Aaron serves as the esteemed community president of Simmons Bank in El Dorado, where she has built a remarkable career spanning over 30 years. Renowned for her dedication and leadership within the banking sector, Felisha has also made significant contributions to the community. She plays a vital role as a board member for both the Union County Community Foundation and Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family Services, passionately advocating for initiatives that uplift and support the residents of her community. Kristy Hayden is the refinery controller for Delek US in El Dorado, where she demonstrates her commitment to the community through various initiatives. As a board member of Main Street El Dorado, an active Praise Team Member at Westside Baptist Church, and a Co-Leader of Campfire Group 22, she fosters connections among residents and emphasizes growth. Her extensive volunteer work showcases her dedication to positively impacting El Dorado. Will Hegi serves as a senior private wealth strategist at Simmons Bank Private Wealth, where he expertly guides clients in managing and growing their financial assets. Beyond his professional achievements, Will is deeply committed to enhancing his community. He actively volunteers with the El Dorado Civil Service Commission, contributing to the betterment of local governance, and lends his time and talents to the El Dorado First Baptist Church. We are honored to have these three dedicated and passionate leaders join the team of great minds that help serve the college and our community!

🌟 Your Gift, Their Future 🌟 Here at the SouthArk Foundation, every donation helps shape the future of our students. Your generosity has the power to open doors, create opportunities, and change lives. 🎓✨ Whether it's funding scholarships, providing resources, or supporting essential campus programs, your contribution directly impacts the academic and personal growth of the next generation of leaders. Every gift—big or small—adds up to a brighter, more prosperous future for our students. With your support, we can continue to provide the tools and experiences that empower them to achieve their dreams. Thank you for investing in the future of education and making a lasting impact on the lives of those who will make a difference in the world. ❤️ #GivingBack #MakeADifference #InvestInStudents #CollegeFoundation #TogetherWeGrow

🌟Alum Spotlight🌟 We are excited to feature KoKo Donahue as this month’s South Arkansas College Foundation Alum Spotlight! KoKo Donahue graduated from SouthArk in 2017 with her Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy. KoKo, in her professional life, currently serves her community as a Respiratory Director at South Arkansas Regional Hospital; however, her impact far exceeds the lives she touches while working at our hospital. KoKo serves on the Women’s Wellness Board, helping to empower women as healthcare consumers. KoKo helps to further the mission of the Women’s Wellness Board by participating in its two major community events, Healthy Heart Healthy You and Girlfriend Giggles, where they create dialogue about effective healthcare and life management choices. This month we honor KoKo and her extraordinary efforts to keep the people in our community healthy and happy. Thank you, KoKo, for all you do for our community. You are indeed an inspiration to us all!

Student Scholarship Recipients, We are excited to announce the date of our annual Donor and Scholar Lunch. This is a wonderful time to meet the donors who funded your scholarship. It is essential that you RSVP no later than Monday, April 1ST. If you have a class schedule conflict, please let us know immediately by emailing foundation@southark.edu, and we will ask your instructors for an excused absence for this one hour. We look forward to seeing you there! To RSVP, simply fill out the form using the below link. https://www.southarkfoundation.com/o/soe/page/donor-scholar-lunch