Jason Linam, dean of nursing and allied health at Black River Technical College, has been named an Executive Committee member of the Arkansas Deans Association (ADA).
Linam was nominated to fill a vacancy on the committee and then elected by members of the ADA. In the role, he will help with strategic planning and governance, lead conference and event efforts, and support statewide coordination among member institutions.
“Being my first term on the Executive Committee, I hope to gain a better understanding of the organization’s overall mission and bring value and insight to the committee from the perspective of a two-year institution,” Linam said.
Linam noted that the association gives leaders a place to work on challenges facing Arkansas higher education, including the national decline in the college-age population. ADA meetings allow deans from public universities, community colleges, and private institutions to share strategies for enrollment retention, credit articulation agreements, and workforce integration.
The association also supports efforts to close the skills gap between education and employers. Linam said deans must continuously adjust curriculum to meet workforce needs, including through employer-integrated coursework, short-term industry certifications, and stackable credentials, while maintaining academic depth.
In addition, the ADA helps institutions demonstrate the value of a college degree as more high school graduates compare entering the workforce against the cost of college. Joint initiatives, such as transfer pathways between 2-year community colleges and 4-year universities, can help reduce degree costs and shorten time to graduation for Arkansas students.
“Dean Linam has continually provided exemplary leadership for the academic areas that he leads at BRTC,” Vice President of Academic Affairs Brad Baine said. “His outstanding service to his BRTC faculty, staff, and students is being recognized by other colleges and associations, and this selection is a result of his leadership efforts.”
The Arkansas Deans Association is a professional collaborative network for academic deans and higher education leaders at colleges and universities across Arkansas. Its Executive Committee serves as the governing body and operational steering group, managing the organization’s business, setting its strategy, and carrying out its mission throughout the year.
For more information about BRTC, visit the BRTC website.
