Career Coaches

Career Coaches
Career Coaches
Meet our ASU-Newport Career Coaches! Supporting 7th to 12th graders, they offer personalized
guidance in academics, career planning, and college prep.
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Arkansas Works Career Facilitator Program
Established in 2010, the Arkansas Works Career Facilitator Program extends career
guidance services for students moving from high school into post-secondary education
by helping them set and achieve realistic goals and develop the knowledge and skills
they will need to succeed. Key aspects of the program are to:
Increase the number of students who enter and remain in post-secondary education.
Provide knowledge and participation in internships, apprenticeships, and exposure
to all forms of post-secondary career training and certifications.
Improve the effectiveness of post-secondary and career information given to high school
students and their families.
Provide high school students with information about career opportunities in Arkansas.
Encourage individuals to learn about, prepare for, and finance a post-secondary education.
The services of college and career facilitators are available to any Arkansas student,
with special interest given to those youth and adults from low-income backgrounds.
Career facilitators will identify these students while in high school and encourage
them to go to college or be career-ready. To prepare Arkansas students to be college
and career-ready the career facilitators address the following objectives:
Provide career guidance development to secondary students to assist them in preparing
for high school graduation, post-secondary education, apprenticeship or workforce
training, or positive direct placement into the workforce or military.
Adopt and promote the state goals for the quality career development of students from
middle school through high school and beyond.
Assist or work in conjunction with high school guidance counselors and students in
identifying and accessing career information and education and training opportunities
to improve graduation rates, CTE program of study completion, non-traditional placement,
and positive post-secondary placement, thereby decreasing college major changes and
subsequent job dissatisfaction.
ASUN Career Coaches
Kristine Penix
Grant Administration and Compliance Officer
Campus: Newport
kristine_penix@asun.edu
870-512-7757
Missy Clairday
Career Coach
Campus: Marked Tree
melissa_clairday@asun.edu
870-926-5433
Whitney Loftin
Career Coach
Campus: Newport
whitney_loftin@asun.edu
--
Mary Williams
Career Coach
Campus: Jonesboro
mary_williams@asun.edu
870-680-2198
Natasha Baylor
Career Coach
Campus: Jonesboro
natasha_baylor@asun.edu
870-930-6412
Austin Copenhaver
Career Coach
Campus: Jonesboro
austin_copenhaver@asun.edu
870-243-2513
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Charlie Powell
Career Coach
Campus: Jonesboro
charnelsa_powell@asun.edu
870-483-6444
Kristin Wallace
Career Coach
Campus: Newport
kristin_wallace@asun.edu
870-578-2417
Meet the Arkansas Works Career Facilitator Team
Melissa "Missy" Clairday
School served: Brookland Schools
melissa_clairday@asun.edu
870-336-7752
After graduating from Bryant High School, Missy Clairday went on to receive a bachelor's
degree in psychology, with a minor in the interdisciplinary study of families, from
Arkansas State University. It was in college that Missy decided she wanted to be able
to work with youth to assist them in finding a career path they will love. In 2011,
Missy started her Career Coach journey at Harrisburg School District and recently
transitioned to Brookland School District in the summer or 2022. Missy's husband teaches
and her son in Jr. high at Brookland School District. In 2016, Missy received an M.S.
in College Student Personnel Services from Arkansas State University. As an Arkansas
Works Career Coach since 2011, Missy is now achieving her dream while helping students
achieve their dreams.
Whitney Loftin
School served: Tuckerman High School
870-349-2232
After graduating from Newport High School, Whitney Loftin received a bachelor’s degree
in Journalism, with a minor in Sociology from Arkansas State University. While attending
ASU, she competed at the Southeast Journalism Conference, earning first place in the
Journalism Research Paper category. In 2016 Whitney began working in Human Resources
at Arkansas State University-Newport. During her time at ASUN, she saw first-hand
the importance of post-secondary education and valued her time assisting others as
they began their careers. After over 6 years in this role, Whitney is now using many
of those same skills as a Career Coach to assist students at Tuckerman High School
plan for their future.
Mary Williams
School served: Academies of Jonesboro
mary_williams@asun.edu
870-680-2198
Mary Williams' journey began in her hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas. While attending
college classes at the University of Arkansas, Mary worked her way up from the file
room of the Financial Aid Office to becoming a Financial Aid Officer. Seventeen years
ago, Mary made a move to Arkansas State University to complete an undergraduate degree
in social work. She returned to Fayetteville in 2005 and completed her Master's degree
in social work in May 2006. Since 2010, Mary has been putting her education and experience
to good use working as a Career Facilitator for the students at Lepanto High School,
Marked Tree High School, and currently at Jonesboro High School. Mary has been able
to witness some of her students graduate from college and become productive people
in their communities.
Natasha Baylor
School served: Academies of Jonesboro
natasha_baylor@asun.edu
870-933-5881
After graduating from Jonesboro High School in 2002, Natasha attended University of
Arkansas, Fayetteville, where she received her Bachelors in Sociology. While attending
Uof A, Natasha was a Razorback Belle for the Razorback Athletic Department as well
as a Student Ambassador for U of A. After graduation, Natasha returned to Jonesboro
where she began working in her field of study in both Jonesboro and Nettleton School
Districts. While assisting students, Natasha also fell in love with health and wellness
and has been a fitness instructor since 2013. Natasha is so excited to work directly
with students at Jonesboro High School and pour back into the school district that
molded her.
Austin Copenhaver
School served: Academies of Jonesboro
austin_copenhaver@asun.edu
870-243-2513
After graduating from Jonesboro High School in 2009, Austin attended Arkansas State
University to pursue a degree in Broadcast Journalism. During his time in college,
Austin served as the Student Government Association Vice President, a member and officer
of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity and spent four years portraying A-State's
mascot "Howl". In 2013, he began his professional career with East Arkansas Broadcasters
as an administrative assistant and radio personality. Two years later Austin found
himself back at Arkansas State University as an admissions counselor for schools in
Craighead and Greene County. This position allowed him to segue into his current role
as a College and Career Coach for Jonesboro Public Schools. Austin is glad to return
to his alma mater to help prepare students for life after high school.
Charnelsa "Charlie" Powell
Schools served: Trumann Schools
charnelsa_powell@asun.edu
870-483-5301
After graduating from Corning High School, Charlie attended Arkansas State University,
Jonesboro, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Math. After graduation, Charlie
continued her education by obtaining a Masters in Mathematics from Arkansas State
University. After obtaining her masters, she taught math at ASU, Harrisburg and Trumann.
While working at Harrisburg School District, she obtained her Specialist Degree in
Secondary Principalship. Charlie then went on to work in Hoxie School District and
Piggott School District. She is so excited to work directly with students at Trumann
School District and make a difference in students' lives.
Kristin Wallace
Schools Served: Harrisburg Schools
kristen_wallace@asun.edu
870-578-2417
Kristin Wallace is a lifelong resident of Harrisburg and graduated from Harrisburg
High School in 2010. She attended Arkansas State University and pursued a degree in
Middle Level Education. During her time in college, she worked with the youth of the
Harrisburg Middle School After School Program as an activity teacher and basketball
coach. She graduated from ASU in 2015 and began her teaching career at the Harrisburg
School District. Kristin taught math, science and business and also served as an instructional
facilitator and test coordinator. She is excited for this new journey as a career
coach and grateful to be able to serve the students in her hometown!