FORT SMITH (KFSM) — Arkansas Colleges of Health Education announced Tuesday (July 5) the hiring of former Fort Smith Superintendent Benny Gooden to the Executive Director of Institutional Relations position.
President and CEO Kyle Parker said he contacted Gooden after learning of his retirement after 30 years as superintendent.
Gooden will work with public schools throughout the state to set up educational programs aimed at engaging school-age children in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. He will also work with other institutions of higher learning for cooperative training programs that lead to certificates or degrees.
Parker said Gooden will specifically educate public schools about the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine to get students excited about going into a healthcare profession.
The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine is currently recruiting 150 students for its inaugural class, which is set to begin July 2017.
