HOPE – University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Chancellor Dr. Ricky Tompkins has been elected to serve on the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON) Board of Directors. Presidents and chancellors from colleges across Arkansas elected Tompkins to represent the state’s higher-education institutions on the board. ARE-ON is a university-based technology services organization that supports most higher-education institutions across Arkansas. The board’s work influences the development and delivery of technology services for higher education and healthcare institutions across Arkansas. “I am honored to have been selected by my fellow presidents and chancellors to serve on the ARE-ON Board of Directors,” Tompkins said.