Donna Hunnicutt Biogrpahy
I am an experienced higher education leader, instructional designer, and accreditation specialist with a strong commitment to strengthening academic quality and expanding educational opportunities. As the Vice President of Instruction at Southeast Arkansas College (SEARK), I oversee academic affairs, faculty development, institutional assessment, and strategic initiatives that support student success and workforce development across our region.
Throughout my career, I have led major institutional projects including Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation, comprehensive program review systems, online learning expansion, and the development of SEARK’s Prison Education Program (PEP). I am passionate about building structures that promote continuous improvement, elevate instructional quality, and create clear pathways for student achievement.
With a Doctor of Education and extensive graduate study in distance education and e-learning, I bring a strong foundation in instructional design, emerging technologies, and faculty development. I believe deeply in collaborative leadership, data-informed decision making, and creating learning environments that are equitable, engaging, and innovative.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to community, student empowerment, and ensuring that all learners, traditional, adult, and justice-impacted, have access to high-quality education that transforms lives.
Education
EdD University of Arkansas at Little Rock December 2008
Higher Education Administration
Dissertation: “Institutional Processes Intended to Achieve Accreditation:
An Investigation of How the Leadership Approaches of Deans of Schools
and Colleges of Education, Organizational Factors, and Environmental
Conditions Influence the Process
MAT University of Arkansas at Monticello May 2002
Teaching Emphasis
BA University of Arkansas at Monticello May 1993
Speech Communications
Minor: Business Administration
Leadership Experience
Southeast Arkansas College October 2024- Present
Chief Academic Officer
ALO for HLC
Shorter College August 2023- August 2024
Chief Academic Officer
Dean of Academic and Student Affairs
Eastern Oklahoma State College January 2023- June 2023
Vice President for Academic Affairs
ALO for HLC
University of Arkansas at Monticello
Coordinator for Graduate Programs/CAEP Coordinator August 2004-January 2023
Faculty Assembly Chair 2014-2016
Faculty Assembly Vice Chair 2012-2013
Research Experience/Grant Funding
Special Assignment from the Chancellor, University of Arkansas
at Monticello 2015-2016
- Feasibility Study
Special Education Resource Academy $1,100,000 2022-2024
Transition to Teaching Federal Grant Continuation Grant $950,000 2006-2009
No Child Left Behind Algebra I $67,000 2011
No Child Left Behind Fostering Algebraic Thinking $63,000 2010
Teaching Experience
University of Arkansas at Monticello Aug 2003-Present
Associate Professor, School of Education
Graduate Students Advised
Average of 350-360 students per year
Presentations and Invited Lectures
Paper Presentation, “Navigating the Student GPS System,” Arkansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, 2019.
Paper Presentation, “Using Blackboard Outcomes in the Real World,” ArBUG, 2018
Paper Presentation, “Conceptual Framework: The Compass for Driving Assessment,” Arkansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, 2017
Paper Presentation, “Universal Design for Learning Making the Move from Principles to Practice,” Arkansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, 2016
Paper Presentation, “Building Teacher Work Sample Portfolios,” Arkansas Association of Teacher Educators, 2016
Invited Panelist, “HLC Assurance Argument,” Higher Learning Commission, 2020 (Conference Canceled COVID).
Workshop, “Getting in Kahoots with Technology,” UAM Professional Development, 2019.
Workshop, “Advance Blackboard Tools,” UAM Professional Development, 2019.
Professional Service
Southeast Arkansas College
Accreditation Liaison 2024-Present
Shorter College
Accreditation Liaison 2023-2024
North Little Rock Chamber Education Committee 2023-2024
Eastern Oklahoma State College
Accreditation Liaison 2023-2023
Oklahoma State Regents AI Committee 2023-2023
University of Arkansas at Monticello
Higher Learning Commission Steering Committee 2015-2022
University Assessment Committee 2018-2022
Chair University Assembly 2014-2016