Arkansas State University System President Dr. Todd Shields commended the close relationship between Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH) and the surrounding community during a visit earlier this week. Speaking Wednesday at the 45th annual Health Fair and Expo held at the Mountain Home Community Center, Shields pointed to the high level of local involvement as a distinguishing feature of the campus.
“The level of community involvement was evident throughout the event,” Shields noted, emphasizing the participation of dozens of organizations and the attendance of hundreds of local residents.
Shields described the connection between ASUMH and the community as reciprocal, with the campus contributing to the area’s growth while receiving strong local support in return. During his campus visit, he observed students pursuing a variety of educational and career pathways, exemplifying how ASUMH plays a vital role in advancing opportunities for its students.
“The variety of students and career paths illustrates the role ASUMH plays in helping people continue their education, change careers, and develop new skills,” Shields said. He stressed that collaboration among the university, the community, and local industries is essential for expanding opportunities, noting that collective effort yields far greater results than singular efforts.
The annual Health Fair and Expo showcased the partnership between the campus and the broader community, demonstrating a shared commitment to education, workforce development, and public well-being.