Committees are the backbone of our association, driving collaboration, innovation, and progress across all areas of our mission. Each committee is comprised of dedicated members who bring their expertise and passion to specific focus areas, ensuring the association meets the needs of its members and achieves its goals. From shaping policies and planning events to addressing emerging challenges and fostering professional growth, our committees play a vital role in advancing the work of the association. Explore our committees below to learn more about their purpose, initiatives, and how you can get involved in making a meaningful impact.

Advocacy & Public Engagement Committee

This standing committee is charged with coordinating with the Arkansas Department of Education's Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to keep the association informed of the needs of the profession in the area of certification, licensure and academic standards. The chairman of the committee shall be appointed by the President for a three-year term. Other members of the committee are appointed by the President with recommendations from the chair for a three-year term.

Contact: Leigh Walters (Little Rock Central High School)

Arkansas State Championship Committee

This standing committee is charged with the planning and execution of, and the verification of qualifications to, the Arkansas Forensics & Debate State Championship Tournament held each Spring. The committee includes rotating service, where each member serves a defined role on the committee rotating positions each year, until ultimately serving as chair of the committee. The chair works with a permanent tournament director, who is appointed every five years, to coordinate the committee and administrate the Arkansas State Championship Tournament.

Contact: Jessica Skordal, Chair (Bentonville West School) & Rosie Valdez-Block, Director (Little Rock Central High School)

Arkansas Student Congress Committee

This standing committee is charged with the planning and execution of the Arkansas Student Congress event. ACTAA's Student Congress (STUCO) is the state's (and perhaps the nation's) oldest model legislative competition. The committee includes rotating service, where each member serves a defined role on the committee rotating positions each year, until ultimately serving as chair of the committee. The chair works with a permanent tournament director, who is appointed every five years, to coordinate the committee and administrate the Arkansas State Championship Tournament.

Contact: Leigh Walters, Chair (Little Rock Central High School) & Martene Campbell, Director (Episcopal Collegiate School)

Belonging & Inclusion Advocacy (BIA) Committee

This special committee is charged with developing strategies for the association to ensure it is responsive to the needs, promotes the contributions of and strategically considers its diverse membership. The committee was appointed by Jacki Reiff, 2020-2021 ACTAA President, and has been reappointed every year since by Brandon Box-Higdem, 2021-2024 ACTAA President. The 2021 Summer Workshop was focused on brainstorming strategies and initiatives for ACTAA to adopt to help advance the mission of diversity, equity, & inclusion, In August 2021, the committee issued a report proposing initiatives to implement in association. Link to Report from the ACTAA 2021 Summer Workshop on Inclusion & Engagement. On January 5, 2025, the board renamed the committee the Belonging and Inclusion Advocacy (BIA) Committee to align nomenclature with the nation-wide practices.

Contact: VACANT

Ethical Practices Committee

This standing committee is charged with the promotion of ethical and professional practices within the association and in all of the activities sponsored by the association. The committee serves as a hearing body for allegations of unethical practices. The committee consists of a chair and three members appointed by the President.

Contact: Dr. John Gale, Chair (University of Central Arkansas, retired)

new member Support Committee

This standing committee is charged with disseminating information about ACTAA to the association to teachers in the disciplines of debate, forensics, professional communication, and theater across Arkansas. With a focus on adding and retaining new members, this committee coordinates new member activities such as, but not limited to, the mentor program, workshops at meetings, and resource contacts. The committee is also responsible for developing a membership retention plan for the association. The chair is appointed by the President for a three-year term. Other members of the committee are appointed by the committee chair for a three-year term. The Executive Secretary and the 2nd Vice-President are ex-officio members of the committee.

Contact: Eric Gamble, Chair (Dardanelle High School)

Nominations Committee

This standing committee is charged with nominating candidates to the general membership for election of the following positions: 2nd Vice President, Debate Representative, Forensics Representative, Professional Communication Representative, and Theatre/Dance Representative. Additionally, the nominations committee solicits nominations and selects the recipients of ACTAA Teacher of the Year, ACTAA Administrator of the Year, and Spirit of ACTAA awards.

Contact: Brittney McGloflin, Chair (Fayetteville High South)

Publicity & Promotion Committee

This standing committee is charged with disseminating information about the association and the disciplines of debate, forensics, professional communication, and theater. The committee manages the association's social media and merchandise store at tournaments. The chair is appointed by the President for a three-year term. Other members of the committee are appointed by the committee chair for a three-year term. the 2nd Vice President serves as an ex-officio member.

Contact: Greer King Chair (Washington Junior High School)

Scholarship Committee

This standing committee is charged with the administration and selection of the association's several scholarships; namely: the ACTAA High School Scholarships (one debate and one theatre arts), the ACTAA College Scholarship and the Jennifer Akers Memorial Scholarship. The Executive Treasurer serves as the chair, and the President appoints three additional members.

Contact: Jenny Moses, Chair (Mount St. Mary's Academy)

Tournament Advisory Committee

This standing committee is charged with aiding tournament directors and coaches who implement and attend tournaments when questions, problems, and issues exist. This focuses on providing a public forum for discussion about competition and aiding new coaches who might need guidance before, during, and after a tournament. The committee consist of seven members, including the President, the ASC Permanent Director, and the Student Congress Permanent Director serving ex-officio and four general members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Executive Council.

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ACTAA Committees