Mountain Home business and community leader Heather Maxey has been appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to serve on the Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees, bringing North Central Arkansas representation to the system’s governing body.
“When I got the call asking if I would be willing and interested in serving on the ASU Board of Trustees, I was truly surprised. At the time, I was sitting on the Arkansas Department of Higher Education Coordinating Board that the governor had appointed me to in 2023,” Maxey said. “Prior to serving on that board, I really didn’t know a lot about the Arkansas State University System. Over the last couple of years, I’ve had the opportunity not only to learn about the system but also to visit several campuses and meet many of the staff.”
Local higher education officials say the appointment is significant for the region. KTLO News spoke with ASU-Mountain Home Chancellor Dr. Bentley Wallace, who says he was excited to learn of Maxey’s selection, noting her long involvement in workforce development and higher education initiatives.
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Maxey previously served on the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Wallace said her familiarity with local challenges and opportunities will translate into effective advocacy, even though trustees govern the entire ASU System rather than individual campuses.
He added that Maxey’s appointment marks the first time someone from North Central Arkansas has served on the ASU System Board of Trustees, providing a voice for the region at the highest level of governance.
While the board oversees systemwide policy rather than day-to-day operations, Wallace said having regional representation could strengthen the area’s position as the system looks to the future.
Wallace says college leaders are working to get more people educated because it helps economic growth.
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Maxey said her time on the coordinating board allowed her to visit ASU campuses and meet leaders across the system, giving her a strong foundation as she begins her new responsibilities. She described the ASU System as a vital part of the state’s future with significant opportunities ahead.
Maxey will serve a seven-year term on the board, which oversees policy for ASU System campuses across Arkansas, including Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. Wallace expressed confidence she will be a strong advocate for the region while helping guide the system as a whole.
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