Northeast Arkansas is on the threshold of unprecedented economic and industrial growth, and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is proud to play a key role in driving this transformation. Through advanced research, innovative workforce development programs, and powerful partnerships with industries and communities, A-State helps shape a brighter future for the region and the entire state.
Collaboration is at the heart of that mission. A-State partners with leaders from Craighead County, nearby communities and industries across Arkansas to ensure the region grows stronger. By combining efforts, that collaboration helps workers develop both technical skills, such as operating machinery or using new technology, and soft skills, such as communication and teamwork. It also allows industries to train current employees to stay competitive. The partnerships improve industries, health care systems and the overall quality of life, making northeast Arkansas a better place to live and work while fueling economic growth for everyone in the region.
During A-State’s inaugural Catalyst: NEA Economic Development & Leadership Forum in early January, we emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving economic prosperity. From cutting-edge progress in steel and advanced manufacturing to health care innovation and leadership development, A-State brings stakeholders together to tackle challenges and seize opportunities.
In partnership with ASU-Newport and Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville, A-State revolutionizes workforce training with initiatives fueled by a $10.5-million grant from Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Commerce. The programs focus on stacked credentials in advanced automated manufacturing, food processing and steel production, aligning academic offerings with industry needs. The result is a pipeline of skilled workers ready to drive economic vitality across northeast Arkansas and throughout the state.
Modern steel production exemplifies the transformative impact of those collaborations. With Mississippi County established as the steel capital of the U.S., A-State works closely with industry leaders like Big River Steel, Nucor and Lexicon. The Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing integrates artificial intelligence and data science into the steel industry, ensuring companies that are already leading the way in innovation and green production remain efficient and maintain global competitiveness for decades to come.
Health care is another critical area where collaboration yields transformative results. A-State, home to Arkansas’s largest undergraduate population of nursing and health professions students, partners with leading providers such as St. Bernards Healthcare and NEA Baptist Health System to bridge academic training with clinical practice. The efforts address health care challenges while preparing students to meet the region’s growing needs.
A-State’s partnership with the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine enhances that impact by offering a seamless path from “freshman to physician” on our Jonesboro campus. These efforts address Arkansas’ physician shortage, particularly in rural areas, and improve health outcomes across the Delta. Looking ahead, the A-State College of Veterinary Medicine, set to open in 2026, will address critical gaps in animal health care, benefiting the agricultural economy and the state as a whole.
Beyond technical skills, A-State focuses on developing leadership, resilience and interpersonal abilities. Programs such as the Women’s Business Leadership Center, Empower the Pack and Brother 2 Brother build mentorship networks that equip students with the skills to excel in a rapidly evolving workplace. A unique partnership with Coursera enhances those efforts by providing tailored training programs related to data analytics, artificial intelligence and leadership while integrating credentials in well-being and emotional intelligence. This ensures that both new graduates and current employees are prepared to lead in dynamic environments.
By working hand in hand with county leaders and industry partners, A-State demonstrates the power of collaboration to drive regional growth. The partnerships strengthen not only the local workforce but also the broader economy, health care systems and quality of life in Arkansas. Together, we are creating a future where industries thrive, communities prosper and northeast Arkansas reaches its full potential.
A-State invites those ready to join the transformative effort to contact my office at catalyst@astate.edu and mark their calendars for the next Catalyst event at the Red Wolf Convention Center and Embassy Suites in Jonesboro Nov. 6. Stakeholders can help turn today’s ideas into tomorrow’s achievements. Together, we can unlock a future of shared success for Arkansas.
Todd Shields is the chancellor of Arkansas State University’s flagship campus in Jonesboro.
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