The PROPS program includes a monthly profile of an A-State staff member that works every day behind the scenes to improve Arkansas State University… because EVERY Red Wolf Counts!
Staff members are selected from a pool of candidates that is created from the PROPS nomination form.
Chris Boothman
Chris Boothman was nominated by Greg Umhoefer and Cindy Brawley for P.R.O.P.S. recognition. Cindy said “In all the times I have worked with Chris he has gone above and beyond for A-State and never asked for any form of recognition. Now that Chris is my director, I see how hard he works for the AOS Department daily and how dedicated he is.” Greg said “...he is eager to empower his employees to share ideas and concerns, and to give them opportunities to grow personally and professionally. I really value the time I had working with Chris, and believe he is key figure in A-State's continued online success.”
P.R.O.P.S. subcommittee members spoke with Chris recently to learn more about him and his experience at A-State.
What do you wish everyone on campus knew about your position?
The scope and complexity of overseeing online programs. We have built an internal structure supporting both students and faculty in the online modality. There is frequently a misconception across campus regarding A-State Online, frequently being referenced as “Academic Partnerships (AP)” or a separate entity from the main A-State campus. A-State Online is a unit within Arkansas State University and serves a population of students (we are projecting to be over 7,000 online students by the end of Fall 2023) that simply take courses in any asynchronous modality. We are all one university, and the philosophy that “Every Wolf Counts” is applicable to our online students just like our traditional students. AP is a marketing company that we partner with to market and promote our online programs, allowing us to gain enrollments in all 50 states and our global footprint continues to expand with initiatives in Qatar, the Bahamas, among others.
The best advice I ever received was….?
“Let your work do the talking” – it’s a philosophy my parents have always shared with me, and perhaps as a single child I have always been rather reserved and simply focused on getting things done. It’s something I pride myself on and I have always believed that people will respect you and listen to you more as it’s no secret that actions speak louder than words.
What is your philosophy on working with students and faculty as a staff member?
I have already been focused on providing the best level of service possible. I have been fortunate to work in several departments, starting in the Registrar’s Office to my current position overseeing our online programs. Through these various positions, I have developed excellent working relationships with constituents across campus, and in my opinion, there is nothing more disappointing and frustrating than to hear someone say, “That’s not my job”. We all have responsibilities, but we have to be willing to step outside of our comfort zones and in some cases, expected job duties, in order to meet the needs of those individuals across campus that we are supporting.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
Outside of golf and football, travel is my passion – I have been fortunate to visit 35 countries and all 50 US states but there is still so much to see. I tend to prefer cooler climates, so one bucket list destination is to take a cruise to Antarctica.
What makes a good university?
A combination of factors but ultimately, it’s the people that are part of the university that make it a place you want to return to time and time again. Whether you are a student, faculty member, or staff, creating an environment that makes you ready to come back the next day is what appeals, and A-State certainly achieves this. I would also add the unique characteristics that sets A-State apart from other institutions in the state – namely the five key components that we can pride ourselves on – (1) Only institution with a medical school; (2)Soon to be the only institution with a veterinary school; (3)Only institution with an international campus (Queretaro, Mexico); (4)Biosciences Research Institute, and (5)Largest graduate school in the state.
The one thing I learned that I would tell my adult self...?
Focus on the things you can control – you cannot control the uncontrollable! We spend too much time worrying about things that are outside of our control, but those things that we can influence, we should be willing to put forth 100% on achieving the best of our ability.
Most recent binge show?
I don’t watch much TV unless it’s sport – given that I am originally from England, I still have to wake up every Saturday/Sunday morning to turn on NBC/Peacock to watch football (or soccer as many will refer to it as here). Ted Lasso is a show I have watched all seasons of, and it’s always interesting to see the perspective of an American in England when talking about “football”.
What do you like most about A-State?
I would say two things – the sense of community and also the willingness to embrace change. Working collaboratively is how you achieve great things, and it is certainly in the best interest of our students, faculty, and staff that we all work together with the common goal of “educating leaders, enhancing intellectual growth, and enriching lives”. As our online programs continue to grow, and our need to enhance student success initiatives is even greater, we have to be willing to embrace change through the use of technology and as long as we work transparently and communicate effectively with our constituents, I am convinced A-State will continue to head in the right direction.
