Dr. Julie Mikles-Schluterman, Arkansas Tech University professor of sociology, is part of a statewide collaborative effort that earned an $8 million National Science Foundation grant for the establishment of the AR-NETWORK (Arkansas Nexus for Excellence in Technology, Workforce, Outreach and Research Knowledge).
According to a news release issued by the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) on Monday, July 21, AR-NETWORK is “designed to amplify Arkansas’ research capacity, accelerate commercialization and expand STEM career pathways.”
The funding will be distributed over a four-year period.
“ATU has always been committed to serving Arkansans, and this partnership deepens that mission,” said Mikles-Schluterman. “Through AR-NETWORK, we’re strengthening connections between research, workforce development and industry to drive economic growth across the state. This initiative creates new pathways for our students…from the classroom to real-world careers…while giving our faculty access to resources, partnerships and opportunities that expand the impact of their work. It’s about keeping Arkansas talent in Arkansas and making sure our students are ready to lead the future of this state.”
Joining Mikles-Schluterman as fellow co-principal investigators on the grant project are Dr. David Hinton, University of Arkansas; Tiffany Henry, ACC Capital Foundation; and Dr. Emad Badradeen, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
AR-NETWORK is led by principal investigator Sarah Burnett Smith, who recently joined the ARA as a program director. Smith will be supported by ARA team member Dr. Doug Hutchings and the co-principal investigators.
Mikles-Schluterman will serve as co-lead for the workforce development core of the AR-NETWORK project.
“This elevates ATU as a hub for inclusive STEM training across the state and aligns programs with Arkansas industry needs,” said Mikles-Schluterman. “In this effort, we will establish the Center for Community Engagement and Academic Outreach on the ATU campus. We will launch interdisciplinary, project-based learning courses and oversee an on-campus innovation hub. The focus of the workforce development core is to expand this model to other underrepresented and non-flagship campuses across the state.”
Mikles-Schluterman explained that AR-NETWORK will provide ATU faculty and students with access to industry partners and new research opportunities that will allow them to help resolve challenges facing people in Arkansas and beyond.
“ATU’s faculty and students bring incredible talent, creativity and drive to the table,” said Mikles-Schluterman. “This is a chance for our university community to apply their skills in meaningful ways…to help solve problems, support innovation and contribute to the greater good, both locally and statewide. It’s about leveraging what we do best at ATU and connecting it to where it’s needed most.”
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