The A-State Alumni Association and Student Philanthropy Council have named four recipients of the 2026 Emerging Young Alumni (EYA) Award, an annual recognition program spotlighting Arkansas State University graduates who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement, leadership, and dedication to their communities and alma mater.
This year’s honorees will be celebrated during a luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 11:30 a.m. at the Cooper Alumni Center, located at 2600 Alumni Blvd. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP by Thursday, Oct. 1, at AStateAlumni.org/EYA26.
Dr. Emily Benefield, a 2014 graduate of Arkansas State, earned her medical degree with honors from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2018. Following a residency and sports medicine fellowship at the University of Alabama, where she also served as chief resident, Benefield became the university’s first director of women’s sports medicine and a team physician for Crimson Tide athletics. She has since returned to Jonesboro to join Jonesboro Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. In addition to providing comprehensive care to athletes and patients of all ages, she serves as a team physician for Arkansas State University and local high schools, where she remains committed to promoting athlete safety and health through evidence-based care.
Sarah Huffstetler, who earned a Bachelor of Science in health promotion from Arkansas State in 2012, has dedicated her career to nonprofit leadership and community service. Currently the marketing, fundraising, and grants coordinator for TLC – The Learning Center of Northeast Arkansas, Huffstetler oversees development initiatives benefiting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her community involvement includes roles with the United Way of Northeast Arkansas, Junior Auxiliary of Jonesboro, and Project CARE, among others. She was named the 2025 Goodwill Ambassador of the Year by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce and serves as chair of its A-State Committee.
Austin Morris, a Sherwood native and 2018 graduate in strategic communication from Arkansas State, completed dual master’s degrees in public service and public health in 2020. Now serving as associate director of donor experience at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Morris has overseen fundraising programs generating over $7 million in philanthropic revenue. Personally responsible for securing $1 million in major and planned gifts, Morris has also earned national recognition for his innovative donor engagement strategies. A life member of the A-State Alumni Association, his commitment to service is further reflected through prior awards and involvement with A-State committees.
Dalton Mullinax, a native of the Arkansas Delta, holds a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business from Arkansas State (2019) and a Master of Business Administration from A-State (2024). As state agriculture liaison and Northeast Arkansas field representative for U.S. Sen. John Boozman, Mullinax works closely with farmers, agribusiness professionals, and rural communities on policy matters affecting the state’s agricultural industry. His career also includes experience in banking and private business management, where he developed expertise in agriculture, rural economic development, and community collaboration.
The Emerging Young Alumni Award program, now in its eighth year, highlights the significant contributions of Arkansas State graduates to their professions, society, and the university community.