Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – Aug. 22, 2025 – In recognition of both her career and her vision for young children’s education, Jo Ann Nalley received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual Fall Faculty Conference at Arkansas State University.
Nalley, an A-State staff member for 54 years, enjoyed two standing ovations from her university colleagues.
“Wow, I’m so humbled,” Nalley responded to the surprise recognition as A-State began its academic year. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Almost in the same breath, she gave credit to the staff members who have made her success possible, and thanked the mentors who guided her along the way, adding “They’re the ones that showed me the vision to move forward. It hasn’t been me. It’s been this university that’s given me the opportunity . . . to go serve the community.”
Nalley leads an outreach unit, A-State Childhood Services, that touches every corner of Arkansas, explained Dr. Travis Marsico, vice provost for research, innovation and discovery at A-State.
“It is our profound honor to stand here today to introduce a woman whose name has become synonymous with early childhood education in Arkansas — a woman whose work has not only shaped a field, but shaped futures,” Marsico told the gathering. “Her work has supported licensed early education and youth programs, provided technical assistance, and trained thousands of educators. Under her leadership, the department has grown from a handful of consultants to over 250 employees managing dozens of initiatives.”
Nalley’s impact has resulted in some other very impressive numbers, he continued. She has secured over $256 million in state and federal grants since 2000. The total would be even higher, but institutional records go back only 25 years.
“That funding has fueled in-service training, online courses, statewide coaching, and quality improvement efforts that have elevated early childhood education across the state. And yet, Jo Ann Nalley’s impact is more than numbers,” Marsico emphasized. “She was a pioneer when there were no public kindergartens in Arkansas. In 1969, she stepped into the unknown — leading a model kindergarten program in Jonesboro when trained teachers were scarce. That bold step sparked a lifelong commitment to early learning.”
She redefined what effective professional development looks like — introducing shorter, more reflective sessions, coaching follow-ups, and content tailored to real-world needs. Her work doesn’t just train educators — it empowers them.
“She has been a tireless advocate, speaking with policymakers, business leaders and parents alike,” he told the assembly. “She helped shape the Arkansas Better Chance program, co-founded the Invest Early in Education Coalition, and led initiatives like Arkansas Children’s Week — now in its 30-plus year tradition — celebrating literacy and joyful learning.”
Among those enjoying the recognition were Nalley’s brothers, Johnny Allison and Jerry Allison, and numerous other family members who were in on the surprise.
Often recognized for her work, Nalley previously has received the SECA (Southern Early Childhood Association) President’s Award, the Eugene W. Smith Award for Excellence in Education, and the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families “Friend of Children” Award, among many others.
“But if you ask her, she’ll tell you the real reward is the work itself — whether she’s testifying at the Capitol or singing with three-year-olds on a classroom floor,” Marsico added.
Nalley earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at A-State in elementary and early childhood education. She has never stopped being an ambassador for the university — bringing national attention to programs, involving faculty in statewide projects, and hosting the annual Childhood Services Conference (the 53rd annual edition was earlier this month) that draws educators from across Arkansas.
“So today, as we present her with this Lifetime Achievement Award, we are not just honoring a career — we are honoring a movement . . . A movement that began with one woman’s vision and now echoes in classrooms, homes and communities across the state,” he concluded. “Jo Ann Nalley has spent her life building statewide systems that will outlast us all. Her legacy lives in every confident teacher, every curious child, and every family that’s been touched by her work.”
