Director
Janet Hugo, Ph.D.
Dr. Hugo is beginning her second year as the Director of ASMSA after having served as the Dean of Academic Affairs for five years. Dr. Hugo received her B.S. in Rehabilitation Education from Penn State University, her M.S. in Gifted Studies from Mississippi University for Women, and her Ph.D. in Technology and Education, minor in Secondary Education, from Mississippi State University. She previously held the position of Director of Academic Affairs at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) before moving to Hot Springs. In addition, Dr. Hugo serves as the President of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (NCSSSMST). She has recently co-authored a white paper with The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation in Washington, DC on the importance of specialized math and science schools.  Email: hugoj@asmsa.org

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 of Residential Affairs
William Currier
William Currier has a Master’s in Counseling from Illinois State and an MBA from Tarleton State (Texas). Some of the colleges and universities that Mr. Currier has worked at include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, The Culinary Institute of America, and Penn State University. He has had two articles published with the Association of College and University Housing Officers International. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, he has been in student affairs for 25 years.  Email: currierb@asmsa.org

Director of Institutional Advancement
Mike Carpenter
Mike Carpenter joined Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts as Director of Institutional Advancement in 2006. Mike has a Bachelor Degree in Business and Organizational Management from John Brown University and has an extensive background in the area of development research. Active in the field of development and development research since 1999, Mike is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and has served in several positions for the international and state chapters of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA). As a seven year member of the APRA Arkansas Board of Directors where he served a two-year term as President, Mike has been afforded the opportunity to speak for many professional organizations such as APRA's International, Arkansas, and Southwest Chapter conferences, the National Council on Planned Giving (NCPG) and AFP Arkansas. Prior to joining the ASMSA administrative team, Mike served as Director of Prospect Research and Management at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.  Email: carpenterm@asmsa.org

Director of Finance & Administration
JaNan Abernathy
Bio coming soon.  Email: abernathyj@asmsa.org

Director of Outreach & Distance Education
Chris Robbins
Chris Robbins serves as Director of Outreach at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, where he leads one of the country’s largest K-12 distance education programs. Active in the field of distance education since 1995, Chris’s programs have been nationally recognized for excellence by the American Association of Community Colleges and the United States Distance Learning Association. Chris also oversees ASMSA’s Information Technology and Institutional Research offices as well as it’s continuing education and professional development programs. Prior to joining the ASMSA administration, Chris served as Dean of Enrollment and Information Services at Mississippi University for Women.  Email: crobbins@asmsa.org

Director of Admissions
Jeff Nixon
Jeff Nixon is a longtime supporter of residential high schools for academically advanced juniors and seniors. He graduated from the Louisiana School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (LSMSA) in 1987 then attended the University of Tennessee and Louisiana College, where he earned his degree in Journalism in 1991. Nixon spent most of the 1990s as an award-winning sports writer and assistant sports editor for The Alexandria (La.) Daily Town Talk, covering events ranging from youth soccer to LSU athletics and the New Orleans Saints. In 1998, he left the sports writing field to return to LSMSA as Assistant Director of Admissions. He held that position until coming to ASMSA in 2001, where he has served as Director of Admissions and Public Relations.  Email: nixonje@asmsa.org