Dr. Meredith Adkins, assistant research professor at I3R, and Dr. Kimberly Haynie, associate professor in human sciences at University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, were recently awarded the inaugural Educator Innovator Award from the Arkansas Capital Corporation. The recognition is designed to honor leaders in the state who are committed to empowering entrepreneurs through education.
The Arkansas Capital Corporation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering economic growth in Arkansas, chose the duo for their collaboration across institutions and commitment to developing entrepreneurial students exhibit the spirit of the corporation’s EDGE initiative (Education to Develop and Grow Entrepreneurs), and honored them at the annual summit.
“I am honored to receive this inaugural award alongside my colleague, Dr. Haynie. Together, we are committed to entrepreneurship initiatives that will make a tangible difference in Arkansas’ food systems, food equity, and the lives of our residents,” Dr. Adkins explained.
Drs. Haynie and Adkins are co-investigators on a $28,936 VentureWell-funded course and program grant for the project, “Using Entrepreneurship Curriculum and Strategic Partnerships to Empower Students to Address Food and Nutrition Equity,” led by principal investigator and interim chair of UAPB department of human sciences Dr. Marilyn Bailey at UAPB. Dr. Bailey describes the project as “an exciting opportunity for an 1890 HBCU Land-Grant institution to work in collaboration with an 1862 Land-Grant institution to provide educational experiences for students that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on food and nutrition equity.”
As part of the project, the team has developed a pioneering course in food and nutrition entrepreneurship as part of a state-wide partnership I3R and UAPB have forged to educate and empower the next generation of diverse food business and food tech entrepreneurs situated in a historically underserved area.
“Drs. Haynie and Adkins are not only shaping the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders but also contributing to the creation of a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. Their efforts will empower students with the skills and mindset needed to drive innovation, launch successful ventures, and make lasting economic impacts in their communities and beyond,” said Tiffany Henry, Vice President of Arkansas Capital Corporation’s Education to Develop and Grow Entrepreneurs (EDGE) Initiative.
Dr. Haynie noted her gratitude, adding, “Our goal is to develop a course that empowers students to use innovation and entrepreneurship to address food insecurity and lack of healthy food access in underserved communities.”
Throughout the semester, the awardees have partnered on an entrepreneurship course at UAPB, for which Dr. Haynie serves as lead instructor assisted by Dr. Adkins as a guest instructor. The course shares I3R’s model of convergence research (involving academic, industry, government and non-profit sectors) for societal impact and exposes students to innovation curriculum for developing scalable solutions for community challenges.
To learn more about I3R and UAPB’s partnership, visit: https://news.uark.edu/articles/70421/u-of-a-at-pine-bluff-and-i-r-partner-to-stimulate-entrepreneurship-and-innovation.