The RESTORE Hub at A-State Names Executive Team

The RESTORE (Research, Education, Service, Transition and Outreach through Reflective Engagement) Hub at Arkansas State University (A-State) is pleased to announce its executive team.

Kristin Johnson, Ph.D., of Jonesboro, serves as director of the newly opened hub. She graduated from Nicholls State University with a specialist’s degree and the University of Southern Mississippi with a doctoral degree in school psychology. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Munroe-Meyer Institute in Omaha, Nebraska.

Johnson has worked with adults and children who have disabilities as a practicing school psychologist for over 20 years. She has consulted legal firms, state departments, families, and school districts on ethical and legal issues. She has authored a book and several articles over the years.

She has been an assistant professor at Mississippi State University and Eastern Illinois in the past and worked as an assistant professor then associate professor at A-State from 2017 until May of 2024. She is the co-director of the H.O.W.L. (Helping Our Wolves Learn) Service Center, director of the H.O.W.L. Transition Program and A.T.L.A.S. (Autonomy through Leadership, Advocacy, and Service) Transition Program. She served as the chair of the Southeast Post Secondary Education Alliance from 2022 to 2024 and communications vice chair from 2020-2022.

Kimberly Smith, of Light, has accepted the position of executive assistant. She graduated from Greene County Tech High School in 1986 and earned a bachelor’s in business administration from A-State in 1990. Previously she was employed as a human resources analyst at A-State for five years. She and her husband of 36 years, John, share three children, Shane, Devin, and Shaylee; one bonus son, Dakota; two daughters-in-law, Lauren, and Corinne; and four grandchildren, Rhett, Bailey, Waylon, and Everlee. The Smith’s spend their free time involved in the Walnut Corner General Baptist Church in Light.

Wakonda Cox, of Brookland, has accepted the position of grant manager. She was born and raised in Blytheville and graduated from Blytheville High School in 1997. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2019, a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2021, and a master’s degree in communication studies in 2023, all from A-State. She is currently pursuing certification in project management from the Project Management Institute. Cox previously spent three years serving A-State as a transfer coordinator in the admissions department. Before joining Astate, she was the founder and director of a youth-based nonprofit named Familie Tiez, which she operated for more than 10 years. She has three children, one granddaughter, and one grandson. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the gym, and traveling.

Jessica Rainwater, of Delaplaine, has accepted the position of marketing and public relations officer. She graduated from Delaplaine High School in 2001. She earned a bachelor’s degree in news editorial journalism in 2013, and a master’s degree in mass communications in 2020; both from A-State. Rainwater has worked as a journalist across Northeast Arkansas and previously worked at Black River Technical College as its communication/public relations specialist. She also previously worked at A-State as a social media manager for the College of Liberal Arts and Communication. She and her significant other of 16-years, Chris McNabb, share two children, 12-year-old Asa and 7-year-old Emma.

Cindy Bode, of Maryville, Missouri, has accepted the position of information systems analyst. She graduated from North Nodaway High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kansas State University in 1983. Bode previously worked as an information systems analyst in A-State’s College of Education and Behavioral Science for 20 years. She and her husband, Barry, share two children, Tara Stephens and Cooper Bode, and one grandchild, Case Stoker.

Lisa Robinson, of West Helena, has accepted the position of financial manager. She graduated from Desoto High School in 2004 and earned a bachelor’s degree in human services from the University of Phoenix in 2015. She previously worked as a pre-authorization reviewer at St. Bernard’s Cancer Center. She also previously worked at A-State for two years as a fiscal support analyst in the College of Education and Behavioral Science. She and her husband, Brian, share three children: 19-year-old Caleb, 17-year-old Brooklyn, and 14-year-old Jacob. She and her family attend Temple Baptist Church.

Jacquanay Buford, of Osceola, has accepted the position of administrative specialist III. She graduated from Osceola High School. She earned an associate of arts in early childhood education in 2021 from Arkansas Northeastern College and a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from A-State in May of 2024. Buford has worked at A-State for almost two years. She previously held work study positions and worked as a learning support coach. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in organizational leadership at A-State.

Trevor Scudder-Tate, of Paragould, has accepted the position of administrative assistant. He graduated from Paragould High School and earned a bachelor’s degree of general studies with a focus on art, art education, and art history in 2015 from A-State. Scudder-Tate has worked at A-State for two years and was previously a transfer specialist in the office of the registrar. He recently married the love of his life Jerica Faye Scudder-Tate. During his free time, he enjoys playing music with friends, is an avid PC gamer, and loves to create, record, edit, and distribute a Dungeons and Dragons centered podcast that focuses on character creation called “Roll Your Stats” with friends.

The RESTORE Hub strives to improve the quality of life for all communities through services, research, education, innovation, and collaboration. Currently The RESTORE Hub is partnering with the Arkansas Department of Human Services on several initiatives.