Graduate College Staff

Dr. Richard Schoephoerster

Dean, Graduate College and Research
Phone: (479) 968-0398 (Ext: 2670)
E-mail: rschoephoerster@atu.edu  

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering - University of Iowa 
• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering - University of Iowa 
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering - University of Iowa 

Dr. Richard Schoephoerster joined the ATU Faculty in 2020. He previously served as Professor and Dean of the College of Engineering at the American University of Sharjah for three years. Prior to that he served as Professor and Dean of the College of Engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso for 8 years. He served at Florida International University from1990-2007 and was the Founding Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Wallace H. Coulter Eminent Scholars Chair.

Dr. Schoephoerster also oversees ATU's research initiatives and sponsored programs.

   Kaitlynn Beaird

Coordinator of Graduate and International Recruitment
Call or Text: 479-888-2421 (Ext: 2528)
Email: kbeaird@atu.edu

• M.A. in Higher Education Administration - The University of Alabama 
  
• Graduate Certificate in Collegiate Advising - Arkansas Tech University 
• B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications -University of West Alabama 
  

Kaitlynn joined the ATU family in May 2020. She is the main point of contact for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree, as well as all international students. A first-generation college student, Kaitlynn received a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications with summa cum laude distinction and as an honors scholar from the University of West Alabama in December 2017, a M.A. in Higher Education Administration from The University of Alabama in May 2020, and a Graduate Certificate in Advising from Arkansas Tech University in August 2021. In her free time, she is a freelance graphic designer and enjoys attending concerts, visiting family and friends, and playing with her Australian Shepherds, Bane and Talia.

   Denise wallis

Direct Assistant to the Dean
Phone: (479) 968-0398 (Ext: 2672)
Email: cwallis@atu.edu

Denise Wallis started working for Arkansas Tech University in 2016. She has recently transitioned to the position of Administrative Specialist for the Graduate College. Her roles include collecting and recording student information to assist them with the graduate school application process and assisting in overseeing graduate assistants.

Denise is a lifelong resident of Pope County and currently resides in Dover with her husband, Randall, and their two sons, Baxter and Kenlee.

Farhana Khandoker

Graduate Assistant
Phone: (479) 996-43624 (Ext: 2674)
Email: fkhandoker@atu.edu

• MBA in Human Resource Management - The University of Asia Pacific (Bangladesh) 
  
• BBA in Human Resource Management - The University of Asia Pacific (Bangladesh) 

Farhana Khandoker is a Graduate Student and currently pursuing her Master of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. She has started working as a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Research and Graduate Studies in September 2021. She is from Bangladesh and has completed her first Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resource Management in 2016 there. Her roles include maintaining the webpage, and social media platforms, taking meeting minutes, supporting the graduate student council as a member, among other responsibilities directed from the dean.