CONWAY— The Arkansas Coding Academy (ArCA), a program of the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement at the University of Central Arkansas, has hired Dr. Donald Walker as its director.
In his new role, Walker will oversee the administration and everyday operations of the program. He began on June 3.
“I’m very happy to be in central Arkansas and joining the team at UCA. I started my professional life at Little Rock Air Force Base, and my family is happy to be back home. I hope to continue building ArCA’s contribution to our community and information technology workforce,” Walker said.
Walker has 30 years of experience as an officer in the United States Air Force, where his job duties included network management, software engineering and computer programming. Walker obtained his doctoral degree in computer science from Colorado Technical University.
Prior to this, he earned a Master of Science degree in telecommunications from Southern Methodist University in 2002 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in management information systems from Texas Lutheran University in 1994. Walker is also a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College, a year-long professional military education program at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
“UCA is excited to announce Dr. Walker’s appointment to serve as director of the Arkansas Coding Academy. With extensive technical and managerial experience in software development and management information systems, he is prepared to take the academy to the next level,” said Amy Whitehead, assistant vice president for Community and Workforce Development at UCA.
Under Walker’s leadership, UCA will continue to expand its training curriculum to meet the growing workforce demands in the information technology sector.
Established in 2016, ArCA at the University of Central Arkansas strives to create a talent pipeline from the classroom to the workforce for individuals seeking careers in programming, information technology or software development. It seeks to equip students with the skills needed to gain employment and succeed in the information technology sector. Classes are offered throughout the year in various formats to fit students’ needs.
To learn more about ArCA’s coding programs, please visit arkansascodingacademy.com or email arcoding@uca.edu.
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