Fulbright College’s Development and External Relations Team is Here to Help

Our Fulbright College development and external relations team doesn’t let the distance stop them from having their morning coffee together during their team meetings. Meet from top right, Michael Stoker, Andra Liwag and Betsy Bushmiaer; from middle right Olivia Kays, and Carl Riley; and from bottom right Melody Kouchehbagh, Robert Hopper and Erin Cowger.

Although the team is now working remotely, serving the college’s students, alumni, donors, faculty and staff remains the top priority for the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences’ Development and External Relations team.

“We have a fantastic team who specialize in relationship-building, fundraising, scholarship administration, communications and creative services,” said Melody Kouchehbagh, senior director of Development and External Relations.

Kouchehbagh has served Fulbright College for more than three years, the past year of which she served as interim senior director before being named to the position permanently this fall.

Building a strong team and serving its constituents has always been her focus, but even more so now while our community, state, country and beyond battle COVID-19, she said.

“We hope all are safe and well during this time,” Kouchehbagh said. “While we definitely look forward to the time we can visit with folks face to face again, we want to let all know we are still working for you and are available to help in any way we can.”

Kouchehbagh also wanted folks to meet her team. “As you may have seen in this recent Fulbright REVIEW story, we’ve added new team members and promoted others.”

This includes:

• Betsy Bushmiaer being named Director of Constituent Relations after serving Fulbright College for the past eight years.
• Erin Cowger being named Associate Director of Development after serving Fulbright College for the past three years.
• Robert Hopper joining the team as Assistant Director of Development, after previously serving the college in band operations in the Department of Music for nearly seven years.
• Michael Stoker joining the team as the college’s Director of Creative Services, after serving in a similar role at another Arkansas higher education institute.

“And Olivia Kays, our communication project manager, Andra Liwag, our director of communications, and Carl Riley, our associate director of scholarships, complete this amazing team,” Kouchehbagh said.

“We are excited to connect with you – our Fulbright College family – and to continue to provide assistance and service in a variety of avenues. We remain an email or phone call away,” she said.

If you would like to visit with someone from our development team, please contact Betsy Bushmiaer at betsyb@uark.edu, and Development and External Relations-related requests can also be made online.