Dean of Academic Affairs
Melanie Nichols
Melanie Nichols has been teaching at ASMSA since the school opened in the fall of 1992. She served as the Chairman of the ASMSA Mathematics Department from 1992 through 2006. She is currently the Dean of Academic Affairs. Mrs. Nichols earned a BSE degree in Secondary Mathematics from the University of Central Arkansas and a MEd from Arkansas Tech University. She previously taught mathematics at Witts Spring High School, Southside-Bee Branch High School, Russellville High School and Arkansas Tech University. She is currently a College Board Calculus Consultant and President of the Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Mrs. Nichols is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Secondary Mathematics Teaching, the National Milken Educator Award, and the Mathematical Association of America Teacher of the Year Award.  Email: nicholsm@asmsa.org

Dean's Secretary
Kim Singleton
Bio coming soon.  Email: singletonk@asmsa.org

Registrar
Alisha Hogarth
Alisha Hogarth has worked at ASMSA since 2002. As Registrar, Mrs. Hogarth handles attendance, grades, schedules, and transcripts. If you sleep in she will be calling or knocking to get you up. Her office is located within the Academic Office and her door is always open to anyone who needs a listening ear, and she usually has chocolate. Mrs. Hogarth received her degree through Quapaw Technical Institute in Computer Information Systems. She is a CPI certified photographer and a C-Tech Network Cabling Specialist in Copper and Fiber. She placed 1st in the Arkansas Skills USA VICA Competition for Technical Computer Applications in 2002. She then went to Kansas City to represent Arkansas and placed 9th in the National Competition. Mrs. Hogarth is happily married with a daughter named Scarlett, and she is a Junior Girl Scouts Troop Leader.  Email: hogartha@asmsa.org

Mathematics Department

Walt Levisee
In 1994 Walt Levisee earned an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Upon completing his degree he began teaching mathematics at Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High School. Mr. Levisee remained there until 1997 when he came to the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Currently Mr. Levisee teaches AP Statistics, Calculus, Precalculus, and RTT (Research Through Technology).  Website  Email: leviseew@asmsa.org

Charles Mullins, Ph. D.
Dr. Charles Mullins earned a B.S. in Mathematics at Oklahoma State University and his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. In 1967, after one year of teaching at Oregon State University, Dr. Mullins taught abroad. After working in six different countries, he returned to the States in 1989 and taught at the University of Central Arkansas. Currently, Dr. Mullins teaches AP AB Calculus, Number Theory, Differential Equations, Algebra II, Vector Calculus and Trigonometry, along with serving as the sponsor of the National Honor Society.  Website  Email: mullinsc@asmsa.org

Michael Sturdivant
Michael Sturdivant began teaching mathematics at Vilonia Junior High in 1998. In 2001, he was invited to become a mathematics instructor at ASMSA. Mr. Sturdivant has a B.S.E. in Mathematics and an M.A. in Mathematics Education from the University of Central Arkansas. He has presented topics at both regional and national mathematics conferences around the country. He and his wife, who is an instructor in the ASMSA humanities department, have three children.  Website  Email: sturdivm@asmsa.org

Bruce Turkal
Bruce Turkal graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1972. He was a design engineer for several years before entering the teaching profession. Mathematics and physics have been his major teaching areas, and he holds Arkansas certification in both. After teaching several years Mr. Turkal received a Master of Science in Education majoring in Physical Sciences from the University of Central Arkansas. At the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, his courses include Precalculus, AP BC Calculus, Multivariable Calculus, Math Modeling, and Research through Technology. This is his 25th year of teaching in Arkansas.  Email: turkalb@asmsa.org

Josh Ulrey
Josh Ulrey is in his fifth year of teaching at ASMSA. He earned his B.S. in Mathematics in 2000 and his M.S. in Mathematics in 2001 from the University of Arkansas. He taught there for three years before moving to Hot Springs. In addition to teaching at ASMSA, he is the President of the ASMSA Alumni Association and was a member of the 1995 ASMS Charter Class. Currently he teaches Algebra II, Algebra III, Precalculus, RTT, Advanced Geometry, and Topics in Pure Mathematics.  Website  Email: ulreyj@asmsa.org

Science and Computer Science & Engineering Department
Fred Buzen, Ph. D.
Fred G. Buzen Jr., PhD. has been teaching at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and Arts since the fall of 2001. Prior to coming to ASMSA, he was working on his doctorate in Biochemistry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he investigated possible treatments for peanut allergy. In addition to his PhD, he has a Master of Science degree in Plant Pathology from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Henderson State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany from the University of Maine. His work experience includes work as a Research Scientist for the Olin Corporation, a Technical Representative for SKW Trostberg, and a Research Scientist for Ouachita Baptist University. Also, he has experience raising cattle and hay on a small farm in Arkadelphia, where he lives.  Website  Email: buzenf@asmsa.org

Jill Cooper
Jill Cooper received a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Henderson State University and a Master of Science from the University of Arkansas. After receiving her degrees she worked as a chemist for 20 years. She has been teaching at ASMSA since 2002 and currently teaches General and Advanced General Chemistry.  Email: cooperj@asmsa.org

Patrycje Krakowiak, Ph. D.
Dr. Krakowiak was born in Poland, but has been in the US since she was 11 years old. Both of her parents are chemists and she has "inherited" the passion for science from them. She teaches AP Biology, Genetics, Anatomy & Physiology, and the biological portion of Biomedical Physics at ASMSA. She obtained her B.S. degree from Brigham Young University in Chemistry with emphasis in Molecular Biology. She went on to earn a Ph.D. degree from University of Utah in Human Genetics. For her thesis, Dr. Krakowiak studied the genetic basis of birth defects that affect the limbs. Based on the conducted research and with help of very large affected families the collaborative group identified specific proteins within the muscle complex as being responsible for causing severe and familial types of clubfeet. Dr. Krakowiak continued her training at the National Institutes of Health as a post-doctoral fellow. There, she studied birth defects caused by inability to produce cholesterol. In addition to analyzing DNA of the human participants, Dr. Krakowiak also created a mouse without a specific enzyme (a "knock-out" mouse) to further study potential treatments for patients in an animal model. Because the enzyme affected had not been carefully studied in human patients, she, along with her colleagues, identified a new disorder: Lathosterolosis. Before coming to ASMSA, Dr. Krakowiak worked as an Assistant Professor at UAMS and ACH for over three years. Her primary role as a researcher was to study common birth defects such as congenital heart defects in a large, national study. She also mentored many summer students and taught portions of the Medical Genetics class to medical students. Early inher career she taught Biology and Genetic courses to undergraduate students.  Website  Email: krakowiakp@asmsa.org

Brian Monson, Ph.D.
Brian Monson has a B.S. in Physics from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a Ph. D. in Physics from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Has previously taught at the University of Tulsa and the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics. He is chair of the science department and teaches AP Physics C, Optics, Biomedical Physics, and Folk Music and Acoustics. He plays the harmonica and the mandolin.  Website  Email: monsonb@asmsa.org

Wilhelm Richter
Wilhelm Richter studied Physics and Mathematics at the Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen Nuremberg/Germany and earned a Master of Science in Physics degree at the University of New Orleans. Mr. Richter is founder and co-sponsor of the Astronomy Club and the Fellowship of Christian Students. He has taught at ASMSA since the school opened in 1993. Prior to that, he was employed as an instructor at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. Currently, Mr. Richter teaches General Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Advanced Topics in Physics.  Email: richterw@asmsa.org

Jon Ruehle, Ph.D.
Is Jon Ruehle a scientist doing art, an artist doing science or someone doing both? Science and art merge in his scholarly studies of morphogenesis and the genetic regulation of development complimented by his fieldwork and depiction of wildlife in bronze sculpture. Dr. Ruehle received his Ph.D. in plant developmental genetics from the UC Davis while his sculptures are in hundreds of public and private collections worldwide including the National Academy of Design in NYC and the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY. These two pursuits represent his fascination with how people understand their world. Dr. Ruehle initially studied anthropology and the cross-cultural formation of personality at UC Berkeley. From this he intended to become an ethnobotanist studying indigenous health practices in South America until most graduate programs in the field shut down. Dr. Ruehle returned to school following a successful career as an artist and completed his Ph.D. He taught at UC Davis, St. Mary’s College of California, and UCA in Arkansas before coming to ASMSA. Currently he teaches Microbiology, AP Environmental Science, Aquatic Biology, Zoology, Immunology, Developmental Biology, and Botany.  Email: ruehlej@asmsa.org

Shane Thompson
Shane Thompson graduated from Henderson State University in 1990 with a B.S. in Physics. He earned my M.S. in Physics from Wichita State University in 1996. He also studied at Oklahoma State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia. Mr. Thompson's research interests have included thermal studies of materials, gamma-ray spectroscopy of crystalline structures, and effects of radiation exposure to human tissue. His current research is in physics education, in particular developing conceptual models for teaching introductory physics. He has collaborated with the Physics Education Research Group at Arizona State University. Currently, Mr. Thompson teaches physics, engineering, and geology at ASMSA.  Email: thompsos@asmsa.org

Hunter Epperson
Hunter Epperson is currently a teacher of computer science and engineering at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Mr. Epperson holds a B.S.E.E. and M.S.E.E. in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Previous engineering positions at AT&T included work in plant construction, product research and design, automation in assembly and testing, pioneering "smart card" start up, and information systems. Awards at AT&T twice included the Outstanding Special Engineering Achievement award for contributions outside the company. Other teaching positions were instructor in math and engineering at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Mr. Epperson has been a G.T. Coordinator for ASMSA, is a multiple nominee for Who's Who Among America's Teachers, a National Teacher Conference presenter, an ASEE presenter, a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. He is certified in Math, Physics, and Physical Sciences. He has developed new curricula in programming (Visual Basic and C++), Introduction to Technology (now RTT), Circuits, Electronics, Business Applications, Computer Aided Design, and Special Engineering Problems.  Website  Email: eppersoh@asmsa.org

Carl Frank
Carl Frank earned a Master in Computer Science at the University of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at Henderson State University. He has taught Computer Science at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA) since 1995. He has coached the varsity baseball team for eight seasons and has served as the programming coach and the botball coach. He sponsors ASMSA chapters of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). He lives in Traskwood, Arkansas, located in Saline County. At home, he is involved in the community through the Glen Rose School Board, where he serves as President and the Saline County Democratic Central Committee, where he serves as the Chairman. He is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership Program at Henderson State University.  Email: frankc@asmsa.org

Daniel Moix
Daniel Moix, a graduate of the ASMS class of 1998, teaches computer programming, networking, database, ethics, animation, and research in ASMSA's Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Moix holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Henderson State University and is obtaining a Master in Learning and Teaching from Western Governor’s University. Mr. Moix is a former database administrator for Arkansas's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Program and has experience in network administration, and compressed videoconferencing support. In his spare time, Mr. Moix manages his department's computing resources and grades SAT open response questions after hours.  Email: moixd@asmsa.org

Humanities Department
Mary Alice Chambers
Ms. Chambers has a Master of Music Education in Instrumental Music from the University of Central Arkansas. She has served as an ASMSA adjunct instructor and/or Band Director since 1994.  Email: chambersm@asmsa.org

Anne Greenwood
Anne Greenwood received a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. Her thesis work there focused on neo-romanticism in the work of contemporary authors such as Marilynne Robinson. Previous to teaching at ASMSA, she taught at Louisiana Tech, an engineering-emphasis college in Ruston, Louisiana. At ASMSA, she teaches Junior and Senior Composition as well as Painting and Drawing.  Email: greenwooda@asmsa.org

Clifford Happy
Clifford Happy spent 22 years in the Marine Corps, retiring from active duty in 2003. He has taught history in public schools ever since. He joined the ASMSA faculty in August 2006 teaching American History and Government. He has a Master's Degree of Interdisciplinary Studies from the Texas A&M System.  Email: happyc@asmsa.org

Donna Hutchison
A teacher since age 20, Mrs. Hutchison has taught both visual arts and English at three Arkansas high schools, as well as teaching art history at Ouachita Baptist University before coming to ASMSA. A member of the original faculty, she has been at the school since 1993 and has been humanities department chairman since 1997. She was named the Air Force Association State Teacher of the Year in both 1999 and 2000 for her work with science research projects at ASMSA. She has presented seminars at both regional and national educational conferences. In her free time, Mrs. Hutchison is a whitewater kayaker, a professional watercolorist, and a superb organizer of her husband's life. She teaches Junior and Senior English Composition, American Studies, and AP US History.  Email: hutchisd@asmsa.org

James Katowich
James Katowich was born in Michigan but grew up in the hills of Northwest Arkansas. After earning a B.A. in English and a M.F.A. in Creative Writing at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, he worked for five years as a college instructor, most recently at Louisiana Tech University. He has had short fiction published in a number of journals, including The Louisville Review, Carolina Quarterly, Turnrow and River Styx. Currently, Mr. Katowich teaches Junior English Composition, Senior English Composition, Philosophy and Film, American Literature, and Southern Literature.  Email: katowichj@asmsa.org

Dan Kostopulos, Ph. D.
Dr. Dan Kostopulos teaches Junior English Composition, Senior English Composition, British Novel, and World Studies. He received a B.A. in English from Hendrix College, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in English from the University of Mississippi. He has taught at the University of Mississippi, Pulaski Technical College, and the Arkansas Governor's School for the Gifted and Talented. Dr. Kostopulos's publications and conference presentations have largely centered on the work of British novelist Evelyn Waugh, on whom he completed his dissertation. However, he has a broad interest in various British and European authors, works, and genres. Courses: Junior English Composition, Senior English Composition, British Novel, and World Studies.  Email: kostopud@asmsa.org

Jennifer Lefevre
Jennifer Lefevre earned a Diplôme Supérieur in French Civilization from the University of Paris (Sorbonne), a B.A. in English and French with secondary teaching certification from Central College in Pella, Iowa, an M.A. in French (with honors) from Arizona State University, and a Licence spéciale Certificate in International Business from the University of Mons-Hainaut in Belgium. She also attended Bryn Mawr College’s Institut des Études françaises in Avignon, France, where she played the lead female role in the student production of Jean Tardieu’s Les amants du métro. Before coming to ASMSA in 2005, she taught English and foreign languages in Iowa, Arizona, France, Belgium and England, as well as working in journalism and corporate communications. She attended an intensive, residential program in Holocaust Studies at Royal Holloway University of London in 2005, and is currently finalizing her doctoral dissertation on The ersatz Comœdia 1941-1944: Writing between the Lines in Occupied Paris. Her creative writing was published in undergraduate and postgraduate literary magazines, and her book review “Men of Ideas, Men of Action: French Intellectuals’ Impact on Post-War Politics” was published in 2003 in the Journal of European Studies. Her review of The Last English Revolutionary, a biography of Tom Wintringham, 1898-1949, was published in the July 2006 issue of Rethinking Marxism. In her article "TPR Gestures? There's a Language for that!" published in the Fall 2006 Bulletin of the Arkansas Foreign Language Teachers Association, Ms. Lefevre called for the use of real American Sign Language to replace made-up Total Physical Response (TPR) Storytelling gestures. She teaches French, German, and Genocide & Human Rights Studies at ASMSA, and served on the Arkansas Department of Education's Foreign Language Framework Revision Committee in 2007. Thanks to a nomination by ASMSA alumnus Marquez Staples, who is currently attending Yale University, Ms. Lefevre received the Yale Teaching Award in 2007 from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions of Yale University. She is co-sponsor of the Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) along with Mr. Richter.  Email: lefevrej@asmsa.org

Ronald L. Luckow
Ronald Luckow graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with an M. A. in History. Prior to being employed at ASMSA, Mr. Luckow taught at Henderson State University and National Park Community College. Currently, Mr. Luckow teaches World Studies, American Studies, Senior English Composition, Comparative World REligions, and Comic Books in America at ASMSA.  Email: luckowr@asmsa.org

Dan McElderry
Dan McElderry is a veteran teacher of Spanish and Art for nearly 25 years. He has taught both subjects in all levels from Elementary students, Middle Schools, High Schools and at Universities. He started his career in Utah after graduating with a B.A. in Spanish from Brigham Young University. He moved back to Arkansas in 1978 and has continued to expand his experiences while working at Pulaski County Special School District, Arkansas Tech University and finally here at ASMSA. During this time he completed a Master’s Degree in Spanish Education from the University of Central Arkansas. His career has taken him and/or his students to México, Costa Rica and Spain. While working as the Director of the International Languages at ATU, he gained much experience with immersion language programs and tries to incorporate this philosophy into his regular classroom teaching. He currently serves as the liaison between ASMSA and UALR in providing summer Advanced Placement training for hundreds of Arkansas teachers each summer. In 1997, he was awarded the Outstanding Foreign Language Teacher of the Year from the Arkansas Foreign Language Teachers Association.Courses: Spanish II, Spanish III, Advanced Placement Spanish Language, Advanced Placement Spanish Literature, Multi-Dimensional Art, and Science & Art of Black and White Photography.  Email: mcelderd@asmsa.org

Lynn Payette
Ms. Payette is the ASMSA adjunct choir director. She earned a Bachelor of Sacred Music from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master of Music in Organ Performance from the Illinois State University. She currently serves as the Director of Music at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Hot Springs.  Email: payettel@asmsa.org

Ernestine Ross
Ernestine Ross teaches a variety of courses for the Humanities Department, including African American Literature, Sociology, Psychology, American Studies, and Junior English Composition. She received a B.A. in Sociology and an M.A. in Counseling from Henderson State University. Before coming to ASMSA, Mrs. Ross was the Area Director for the federally funded JTPA program, which provides job training for high school students. Mrs. Ross is involved in community work and her local church. She is a member of the Institutional Review Board at St.Joseph's Hospital, as well as a former member of the Webb Center, Senior Companions’ program, Red Cross Review Committee, and the Grand Jury Selection Committee. Ross is the COGIC's II Jurisdiction State President of the Business and Professional Women's Federation. She is also the supervisor of the Hot Springs District Women's Department.  Email: rosse@asmsa.org

Fred Zipkes
Bio to come.  Email:zipkesf@asmsa.org