Jonesboro, Ark. – Arkansas State University’s Center for Leadership Excellence is celebrating its 10th anniversary, a milestone that reflects a decade of empowering students through mentorship, internships and scholarship opportunities. Founded on Nov. 10, 2016 by Kathy White Loyd and 28 other women, the center has become a cornerstone of student development on campus and in the broader community.
Impact Over Ten Years
Since its inception, the Center for Leadership Excellence has facilitated hundreds of student internships and awarded more than 145 scholarships to promising leaders. Participants have logged thousands of hours in mentoring sessions and mock interviews, gaining real‑world experience that prepares them for post‑graduation careers.
How the Mentoring Programs Work
The center offers three primary programs: Step Up, Reach Back Mentoring, and the Service Program. Volunteers commit to one‑hour online sessions with small groups of students once a month. The Center provides suggested discussion topics, but mentors are also welcome to meet students in person or conduct mock interviews. “The day revolved around connecting with new friends and reconnecting with friends we have known for a decade,” said Patricia Quinn Johnston, the center’s executive director, after the annual conference held earlier this fall.
Student Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Beyond virtual mentorship, the center organizes service trips that broaden students’ horizons. Recent trips have taken participants to New York City, Atlanta, Nashville, Tennessee, and Little Rock, where they engage in community service projects while honing leadership and career skills.
Call for New Mentors
With about 100 students signed up for mentoring this semester, the center is actively seeking additional volunteers to expand its reach. Prospective mentors can learn more and sign up by emailing [email protected]. The university hopes that increased community involvement will sustain the center’s mission of cultivating the next generation of leaders.
Why It Matters to Jonesboro
The Center for Leadership Excellence exemplifies the power of community‑driven education. By linking local professionals with university students, the program strengthens family values, encourages personal responsibility, and supports the economic vitality of Jonesboro and the surrounding region. As the center looks ahead to its next decade, the emphasis remains on fostering leadership rooted in faith, family and individual liberty.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
