Communications Personnel

Contact any of our specialists to get your project started.

Leadership


Mary Hightower portrait

Mary Hightower

Chief Communications Officer
Division of Agriculture


Oversees internal and external communications efforts across the Division of Agriculture.


Tracy Courage portrait

Tracy Courage

Director of Communications
Cooperative Extension Service


Guides communications efforts to highlight the resources and work of the Cooperative Extension Service.


Nick Kordsmeier portrait

Nick Kordsmeier

Director of Communications
Agricultural Experiment Station


Guides research communications efforts to highlight the research innovations from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

 

News


Ryan McGeeney portrait

Ryan McGeeney

Content Specialist
Cooperative Extension Service

 

Writes and edits news stories

Takes photos

Produces social media content

Edits publications

 


Rebekah Hall portrait

Rebekah Hall

Content Specialist 
Cooperative Extension Service

 

Writes and edits news stories

Takes photos

Produces social media content

Edits publications


John Lovette

John Lovett

Content Specialist
Agricultural Experiment Station

 

Writes research news releases

Research news photographer

Generates content for social media

Monthly research newsletter

 

 

 

Video


Kerry Rodtnick portrait

Kerry Rodtnick

Video Specialist
Cooperative Extension Service

 
Shoots and edits video

Manages video livestreams

Trains faculty/staff in videography best practices

Manages 4-H Video Team

Coordinates annual Ross Photography Contest


Ben Aaron picture

Ben Aaron

Video Specialist
Cooperative Extension Service

Shoots and edits video

Provides creative concepting, scripting and voiceover

Manages video livestreams

Trains faculty/staff in videography best practices

501-671-2068


Paden Johnson portrait

Paden Johnson

Video Specialist
Agricultural Experiment Station


Produces promotional and educational video content

Generates content for social media

 

 

Design and Publications


Chris Meux portrait

Chris Meux

Graphic Designer
Cooperative Extension Service

 

Creates graphics/design

Manages Media Production Center

Supervises UADA Print Shop

501-671-2125


Julie Thompson portrait

Julie Thompson

Graphic Designer
Cooperative Extension Service

 

Creates graphics/design

Designs publications


Gail Halleck portrait

Gail Halleck

Publications Editor
Agricultural Experiment Station

 

Reviews and edits research papers for recurring research publications

Coordinates with faculty editors to evaluate content

Formats and publishes research publications


Oliver Williams portrait

Oliver Williams

Publications Specialist
Cooperative Extension Service

 

Designs publications

Creates graphics


Emily Davis portrait

Emily Davis

Publications Specialist
Cooperative Extension Service

 

Designs publications

Creates graphics

501-671-2023

 

Digital Media Team


Melissa Johnson portrait

Melissa Johnson

Social Media Manager
Cooperative Extension Service

 

Manages Arkansas Extension on Facebook and Instagram

Provides social media support

 

 

Social Media Resources: 
uada.edu/social-media

501-353-7798 (leave voicemail)


Ashi Franke

Ashi Franke

Accessibility Manager
Cooperative Extension Service


Manages CES Digital Media Accessibility

Trains employees on accessibility best practices

Provides accessibility support

 

Accessibility Resources:
uada.edu/accessibility

 


Sarah Cato portrait

Sarah Cato

ANR Comm Specialist
Cooperative Extension Service

 

Updates Arkansas Row Crops blog
arkansascrops.uada.edu

Creates ANR weekly Constant Contact E-newsletter

Manages ANR Media Accounts

Writes ANR news stories

Communication liaison for ANR specialists

Web Help Resources:
uada.edu/web-help

Vacant Position

Digital Media Tech Writer
Cooperative Extension Service


Assists with managing and updating CES web content on uaex.uada.edu and uada.edu/employees

Manages county webpages and provides web support

Trains employees on editing website

Provides website, calendar, Constant Contact and web analytics support


Web Help Resources:
uada.edu/web-help