text: Nine ASUMH students become Women's Business Leadership Center founding class
  Kathy White Loyd, executive director of the Women's Business Leadership Center, called the graduates one by one to give them a certification of recognition during a luncheon Tuesday at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home.
  The graduates, female students at ASUMH, received certificates for completing the Leadership Initiative, or women helping other women (Step up Leadership Initiative).
  Approximately 15 women gathered at Roller Hall in the chancellor's board room around noon to witness the founding class of the Women's Business Leadership Center.
  Nine students completed the Leadership Initiative. Three of them received a $500 scholarship. Two of the scholarship recipients are heading to Arkansas State University-Jonesboro: Sydney Wendfeldt and Brooke Barnes. The other scholarship recipient, Christina Dixon, is a nontraditional student who has overcome an obstacle and has returned to school. She's studying web development at the college.
  In addition to the Mountain Home graduates, 25 students have graduated from the program in Jonesboro, totaling to 34 graduates.
  The Women's Business Leadership Center (WBLC) is a newly-founded group, providing mentorship to female students. The Bulletin reported Feb. 2 that ASU-Jonesboro "serves as the hub: ASUMH is WBLC's second location," and officials hope the program would branch out to other locations statewide, with the participation of more women.
  The first graduating class met weekly. As a part of the training, the women met to discuss success factors, confidence building and interviewing skills that were provided by women that came to talk to them.
  In addition, the women went on a field trip to Jonesboro to attend the Women's Business Leadership Conference, with over 600 participants and a number of inspirational speakers from across the U.S.
  "I'm so excited about the overwhelming support and reception that the Women's Business Leadership Center and the Step Up Reach Back Initiative have received," Loyd told The Bulletin. "The professional women that have given their time and resources have contributed greatly to our first pilot program success."
  Dixon, who was awarded $500, told The Bulletin she's grateful. She said she highly recommends the program — it has potential.
  "This was meant to happen," she said. "It should have happened a while ago."
  She said it was refreshing being around other women. She's been in the company of men, whether it's for work or other circumstances. She added that she feels like she's getting back to herself.
  ASUMH Chancellor Robin Myers told The Bulletin the college is supporting the effort through its staff in assisting the recruitment of students to participate in the Women's Business Leadership Center.
  Before the graduates received their certifications, Myers congratulated each of them, saying that this is the founding class — and "great" things are expected of them.
  "I think it's a wonderful development, not just for the Mountain Home campus, but for all of the women in our region, who now have the opportunity to experience mentorship and develop their leadership skills," Myers told The Bulletin.