Roughly 600 attendees from companies across Arkansas gathered Jan. 9 for the inaugural Catalyst: NEA Economic Development and Leadership Forum, hosted by the Neil Griffin College of Business at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. The half-day event focused on the future of northeast Arkansas and the region’s potential to lead economic growth and innovation through collaboration among industries, educational institutions and community leaders.
The forum included a series of panel discussions featuring experts in steel, healthcare, education, mentorship, wellness and mental health who explored their shared commitment to advancing workforce and leadership development in northeast Arkansas and beyond. Speakers from Lexicon, St. Bernards Medical Center, NEA Baptist Health System, Nucor Corporation, Big River Steel, Arkansas Northeastern College and the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and others provided insights into how collaboration can spark transformative change.
“This forum marks a pivotal moment for northeast Arkansas and A-State. It’s a testament to what’s possible when we unite with a shared vision to drive progress,” said Arkansas State chancellor Todd Shields. “The connections and ideas generated by these discussions will serve as the foundation for years of innovation, economic growth and leadership development.”
Patrick Schueck, CEO of Lexicon, who spoke on both the steel and workforce development and the mental health and wellness panels, highlighted the potential for the steel industry to continue growing and strengthening the regional economy.
“Northeast Arkansas has become the steel capital of the United States, and the collaboration showcased at Catalyst will help ensure this region remains at the forefront of innovation for years to come,” he said. “These discussions revolved around not only the technical aspects of sustaining our growing industries, but also highlighted ways we, as employers, can take a comprehensive approach to supporting our workforce and the needs of our teams in collaboration with higher education entities like A-State and Arkansas Northeastern College.”
Arkansas Northeastern College President Christopher Heigle, who also spoke on the steel and workforce development panel, emphasized the value of educational and public-private partnerships in preparing today’s students for cutting-edge jobs in booming industries.
“By working together, we can bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application,” he said. “Catalyst has shown how collaboration between two-year colleges, four-year universities and industry leaders can prepare our students to make meaningful contributions to their communities while addressing critical workforce shortages.”
Panelists also discussed the vital role of high-quality health care in supporting the needs of growing communities. Health care leaders, such as Sam Lynd, administrator and CEO of NEA Baptist Health System; Michael Givens, administrator and COO of St. Bernards Healthcare; and Shane Speights, Dean at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) at Arkansas State University, spoke on that topic and the importance of aligning education with industry needs to meet workforce demands.
“When it comes to health care, northeast Arkansas is a leader in training tomorrow’s physicians and responding to the needs of the entire state,” said Speights. “The NYITCOM partnership makes A-State the only university in the state that allows students to progress seamlessly from college freshman to physician without ever leaving campus, and more than 60% of our residency graduates are matched in Arkansas or the Delta. We are proud to be a part of healthcare solutions that drive the region and the entire state forward.”
The forum marks the first in a series of annual events designed to stimulate conversation and action around northeast Arkansas’ future. The next Catalyst forum is tentatively scheduled for this fall.
“These robust discussions demonstrated the power of mentorship in shaping future leaders. From fostering emotional intelligence to equipping professionals with technical expertise, Catalyst proved that investing in people is key to driving sustainable growth and innovation,” said Heather Nelson, first-ever executive in residence at the Neil Griffin College of Business and one of the forum’s creators. “This forum was just the start. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more connected region.”
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