Key Takeaways
- • Arkansas State University's Delta Center for Economic Development has relaunched its Leadership in Banking Series for the 2026-27 academic year, featuring six monthly professional development sessions targeting regional banking executives and managers.
- • The program series costs $450 and convenes experienced banking professionals from Northeast Arkansas to discuss contemporary industry issues, trends, and leadership skills through facilitated workshops and peer networking.
- • Faculty leadership includes Dr. David Kern (Contemporary Issues in Banking), C. David White of Farmers Bank and Trust (Leadership in Lending), Dr. Hilary Schloemer (Management Issues), Dr. H. Steve Leslie (Business Communication), Dr. Katie Hill (Sales and Marketing), and Dr. Cliff E. Jones (Leadership Fundamentals).
- • Sessions run monthly from September 2026 through February 2027, combining academic instruction from the Neil Griffin College of Business with real-world banking insights, peer networking opportunities, and practical exercises designed to enhance professional leadership capabilities.
- • The program originated in 2023 as a collaborative initiative between the Delta Center for Economic Development and the Neil Griffin College of Business, establishing an annual professional development model for regional banking sector talent development.
Summary
Arkansas State University's Delta Center for Economic Development has reinstated its Leadership in Banking Series for the 2026-27 year, resuming an educational initiative that began in 2023 as a collaborative partnership between the center and the Neil Griffin College of Business. The program is structured as six consecutive monthly sessions held at the Delta Center's facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas, with a program fee of $450 per participant.
The series convenes experienced banking professionals from across Northeast Arkansas for focused professional development addressing current industry challenges and opportunities. According to Dr. Cliff E. Jones, deputy director of the Delta Center for Economic Development, the sessions prioritize topics critical to modern banking operations. "The sessions cover topics that are important to the modern banking industry. Instructors share best practices and encourage feedback from participants. The opportunity to network with fellow banking colleagues is another benefit of the program," Jones stated.
The 2026-27 curriculum features specialized tracks spanning core banking competencies. Dr. David Kern, associate professor of finance and McAdams Frierson Chair of Bank Management, will facilitate the opening session on "Contemporary Issues in Banking" on September 10. C. David White, chief lending officer at Farmers Bank and Trust in Magnolia, will lead the October 8 session on "Leadership in Lending," bringing field-level expertise to the program. Subsequent sessions include Dr. Hilary Schloemer conducting "Management Issues in Banking" on November 12, Dr. H. Steve Leslie hosting "Business Communication for Banking" on December 10, Dr. Katie Hill leading "Sales and Marketing for Banking" on January 14, and Dr. Cliff E. Jones concluding with "Leadership Fundamentals for Banking" on February 11.
Participants engage in structured exercises designed to deepen professional knowledge, participate in moderated discussions with peers and faculty, absorb real-world banking insights, and expand professional networks within the regional banking community. The program combines academic rigor from the Neil Griffin College of Business faculty with practitioner perspectives, positioning the series as a regional talent development platform for banking sector leadership advancement.
The series convenes experienced banking professionals from across Northeast Arkansas for focused professional development addressing current industry challenges and opportunities. According to Dr. Cliff E. Jones, deputy director of the Delta Center for Economic Development, the sessions prioritize topics critical to modern banking operations. "The sessions cover topics that are important to the modern banking industry. Instructors share best practices and encourage feedback from participants. The opportunity to network with fellow banking colleagues is another benefit of the program," Jones stated.
The 2026-27 curriculum features specialized tracks spanning core banking competencies. Dr. David Kern, associate professor of finance and McAdams Frierson Chair of Bank Management, will facilitate the opening session on "Contemporary Issues in Banking" on September 10. C. David White, chief lending officer at Farmers Bank and Trust in Magnolia, will lead the October 8 session on "Leadership in Lending," bringing field-level expertise to the program. Subsequent sessions include Dr. Hilary Schloemer conducting "Management Issues in Banking" on November 12, Dr. H. Steve Leslie hosting "Business Communication for Banking" on December 10, Dr. Katie Hill leading "Sales and Marketing for Banking" on January 14, and Dr. Cliff E. Jones concluding with "Leadership Fundamentals for Banking" on February 11.
Participants engage in structured exercises designed to deepen professional knowledge, participate in moderated discussions with peers and faculty, absorb real-world banking insights, and expand professional networks within the regional banking community. The program combines academic rigor from the Neil Griffin College of Business faculty with practitioner perspectives, positioning the series as a regional talent development platform for banking sector leadership advancement.
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