ATU names head of alumni relations

Arkansas Tech University in Russellville recently announced that Caroline Kitchens is the new director of alumni relations.

Kitchens’ permanent and full-time appointment was confirmed by the ATU board of trustees during its June meeting. She began serving as interim director of alumni relations after the retirement of her predecessor, Kelly Davis, in May 2021.

“Caroline plays a crucial role on our advancement team,” Jason Geiken, ATU vice president for advancement, said. “She has been extremely successful in the role of interim director of alumni relations and we look forward to her continued leadership of those operations.”

Kitchens began her advancement career in September 2014 as annual giving coordinator at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. One year later, she returned to her alma mater as director of annual giving programs at ATU. She has served in that capacity for the past seven years.

“Dating back to my days as an undergraduate student at Arkansas Tech, I have developed an understanding and an appreciation of the roles ATU alumni play as advocates for our university,” Kitchens said. “Through the programs and initiatives of the ATU Alumni Association, my goal is to engage graduates, former students, current students and community members in support of our institutional mission and vision. When we speak with a united voice about Arkansas Tech’s achievements and opportunities, we have the ability to influence positive change for the benefit of current and future ATU students.”