Photo by Amber Rowe

Student Services Coordinator - Mitch Powel will join the UAM-College of Technology Crossett beginning March 19.

   The University of Arkansas at Monticello’s College of Technology Crossett campus has brought in with the New Year a new student services coordinator. Mitch Powel will join the staff Monday, March 19. 

   “I’ve really enjoyed meeting the staff,” said Powel. 

   The three main areas of Powel’s work will include working with existing students on issues such as financial aid, making schedule changes and helping the student with anything they need. He will also recruit new students, as well as working together with Linda Rushing on communicating with the industry and business contacts to find out from them what they are looking for in future employees.  

   “We are very pleased to have Mr. Powel as our Student Services Coordinator on the Crossett campus. He has a passion for education and a genuine interest in students,” said Linda Rushing on her new staff member.  

   As for Powel’s favorite part of his job, he said he is most excited about interacting with the students.  

   “There’s such a variety of people on the campus; there’s students as young as high school all the way up to middle-aged and older adults,” Powel said.  

   The first thing noticed about Powel is his bubbly personality, “I’m a big people person; I’m fine with being behind a desk, but sooner or later I have to get out and meet new people,” Powel said.  

   Powel, born and raised in Little Rock, graduated from McClellan High School where he took part in the popular sport football. Powel spent three years at Central Baptist College in Conway, before going on to graduate from Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas, receiving his BS in general studies and making the Presidents List.  

   As for Powel’s family, his wife Sandy, a women’s aerobics instructor, has always worked at banks as a manager at different branches but will be pursuing a degree in teaching at UAM soon. Powel says this has always been a passion of hers.  

   Powel’s three children are his oldest daughter C.C., who has a son Jonathan and is expecting a baby girl, Greg, his 19-year-old son who attends college in Texarkana and may transfer to UAM and his youngest son Tyler, a 15-year-old who will be going to school at Woodlawn. Powel and his family will reside in the Rye community, where Powel’s mother was born and raised.  

   Music and playing the banjo are just a few of Powel’s hobbies. “Whenever I’m new to a community, the first thing I do is seek out the people who play musical instruments so that we can join and play music together,” Powel said. 

   When asked about inspirational quotes or comments, Powel said, “Have you seen the new movie ‘Facing the Giants?’” Powel previewed the movie and stated, “the theme the movie follows is never loose faith, never give up and always put God first; and I live that.”