Dr. Robin Hickerson, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Special Projects at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, was honored with the prestigious Leadership Texarkana Leader of the Year Award at the 15th Annual Lunch with Leaders.

 Leadership Texarkana Executive Director Ruth Ellen Whitt spoke to the motivation of the organization’s annual awards program, quoting Albert Schweitzer, who said, “Example is not the main thing; it is the only thing.”  As an organization committed to growing a community of leaders who help lead the way for community excellence, Leadership Texarkana lifts up exemplary leaders in our community as models for us all, showing what is possible if we choose to serve one another by investing time and effort in our community.” 

 The Leader of the Year Award is the highest award given by Leadership Texarkana annually to honor outstanding alumni of the Leadership Texarkana program; it is given in memory of Idalee Raffaelli Hawkins, who set a lasting and inspirational example for her willingness to serve our community.

 This year’s highest Leader of the Year honor was presented to Dr. Robin Hickerson, a 2012 graduate of Leadership Texarkana, for her decades of community service, through which she has played integral roles in shaping our community's fortunes for today and for the future!

 Texarkana is filled with many dedicated citizens who volunteer their time, while Robin goes above and beyond that by taking leadership roles in the many organizations she has served.  Fellow citizens describe Robin as exceptionally loyal, passionate, and professional in all that she does–an excellent communicator who works with others to get to the root of issues and find real solutions. 

 Dr. Hickerson has had an esteemed career educating with over three decades of experience – as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent, serving in both the Texarkana Texas Independent School District and Texarkana Arkansas School District, with countless lives having been improved through our honoree’s investment in them.  Robin has received the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of her work. 

 Over the years, Robin Hickerson has held multiple leadership positions, including:

• Executive Committee for the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce Economic Development              
• President of the Wilbur Smith Rotary Club
• Leadership Texarkana board member
• Chair (with husband David) of the United Way Campaign
• Founding board member of the Farmers Bank & Trust Live United Bowl
• Pitch It Texarkana Committee Member
• Texarkana Airport Authority member and past president
• Junior League of Texarkana sustainer president
• Chair of the Administrative Board of First United Methodist Church, Texarkana, AR

 Robin continues her educational journey as the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Special Projects at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. Dr. Christine Holt extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Hickerson and appreciates how she uses her talents and skills to be a goodwill ambassador for the college. We are fortunate to have someone so well respected in the community as a part of our UAHT team.

 Dr. Hickerson is incredibly honored to receive this award and is thankful to the University of Arkansas Hope Texarkana and the Foundation Board for the opportunity to continue serving her community in Miller and Hempstead Counties as well as the greater southwest region of Arkansas.