Jeff Hankins Named Vice President of ASU System
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: November 19, 2012
A Little Rock man well known in the media business is moving from the world of publishing to working for his college alma mater.
The Arkansas State University System today named Jeff Hankins as its vice president for strategic communications and economic development, System President Dr. Charles L. Welch announced.
Hankins, a 1987 graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and past president of the ASU Alumni Association, most recently was president and publisher of Arkansas Business Publishing Group.
"Adding Jeff Hankins to our leadership team is a tremendous coup for the ASU System," Welch said. "Jeff is a widely respected businessman and journalist who has an exceptional understanding of the link between education and economic development. This hire further reinforces the ASU commitment to fostering collaboration among our campuses and those responsible for promoting economic development opportunities in our state. We are also committed to increasing our outreach to prospective students, policymakers, and the general public as we communicate the value of a higher education. Jeff brings a unique perspective and unparalleled qualifications to ASU, and I expect him to have a significant impact on higher education in a very short time."
In the new position, Hankins will facilitate all communications and economic development activities for the ASU System and its campuses. Those responsibilities include developing an integrated, multimedia strategy for the system and serving as the system's liaison to statewide business associations and economic development entities to facilitate activities with the campuses.
"Being able to share my passion for and experience in communications, business and higher education with Arkansas State University is an amazing opportunity," Hankins said. "The ASU campuses are doing extraordinary work in educating students and preparing them for the workplace. I look forward to working with Dr. Welch, the chancellors and their teams to make sure all of our constituencies are aware of what we are doing -- and can do -- to make Arkansas an even better place to learn, live and work."
A native of Pine Bluff, Hankins spent 32 years in the publishing and communications industry in Arkansas.
"I'm excited about using my statewide network of relationships with business leaders to enhance the ASU System's role in economic development and job growth activity through progressive partnerships," Hankins said. "Virtually every speech I have given during the past 19 years has included comments on the critical connection between business and higher education."
The ASU System serves over 22,000 students and includes campuses in Jonesboro, Beebe, Mountain Home, Newport, Heber Springs, Searcy and Marked Tree, as well as instructional sites in Paragould and at Little Rock Air Force Base.
"The Arkansas State University System is committed to being an aggressive and progressive system as we strive to meet Governor Beebe's goal of doubling the number of college degrees by 2025," Welch said. "The hiring of Jeff Hankins is yet another major step forward in our effort to further elevate the ASU System."
The Arkansas State University System today named Jeff Hankins as its vice president for strategic communications and economic development, System President Dr. Charles L. Welch announced.
Hankins, a 1987 graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and past president of the ASU Alumni Association, most recently was president and publisher of Arkansas Business Publishing Group.
"Adding Jeff Hankins to our leadership team is a tremendous coup for the ASU System," Welch said. "Jeff is a widely respected businessman and journalist who has an exceptional understanding of the link between education and economic development. This hire further reinforces the ASU commitment to fostering collaboration among our campuses and those responsible for promoting economic development opportunities in our state. We are also committed to increasing our outreach to prospective students, policymakers, and the general public as we communicate the value of a higher education. Jeff brings a unique perspective and unparalleled qualifications to ASU, and I expect him to have a significant impact on higher education in a very short time."
In the new position, Hankins will facilitate all communications and economic development activities for the ASU System and its campuses. Those responsibilities include developing an integrated, multimedia strategy for the system and serving as the system's liaison to statewide business associations and economic development entities to facilitate activities with the campuses.
"Being able to share my passion for and experience in communications, business and higher education with Arkansas State University is an amazing opportunity," Hankins said. "The ASU campuses are doing extraordinary work in educating students and preparing them for the workplace. I look forward to working with Dr. Welch, the chancellors and their teams to make sure all of our constituencies are aware of what we are doing -- and can do -- to make Arkansas an even better place to learn, live and work."
A native of Pine Bluff, Hankins spent 32 years in the publishing and communications industry in Arkansas.
"I'm excited about using my statewide network of relationships with business leaders to enhance the ASU System's role in economic development and job growth activity through progressive partnerships," Hankins said. "Virtually every speech I have given during the past 19 years has included comments on the critical connection between business and higher education."
The ASU System serves over 22,000 students and includes campuses in Jonesboro, Beebe, Mountain Home, Newport, Heber Springs, Searcy and Marked Tree, as well as instructional sites in Paragould and at Little Rock Air Force Base.
"The Arkansas State University System is committed to being an aggressive and progressive system as we strive to meet Governor Beebe's goal of doubling the number of college degrees by 2025," Welch said. "The hiring of Jeff Hankins is yet another major step forward in our effort to further elevate the ASU System."
