LiTHIUMLEARNS ribbon cutting
Southern Arkansas University proudly hosted the ribbon-cutting and open house for the LiTHIUMLEARNS initiative on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at its newly dedicated space at 104 Harvey Couch Boulevard. The event drew community members, industry leaders, educators, and elected officials to celebrate a milestone in advancing workforce development and innovation in Southwest Arkansas.
The ceremony began with opening remarks by Sheryl Edwards, SAU associate vice president for strategic initiatives and director of government relations and LiTHIUMLEARNS, who recognized the many industry partners, community leaders, and elected officials in attendance.
Edwards noted, “We want to make sure that we do our part to bring critical mineral independence to the United States, something we can accomplish right here in southwest Arkansas.” She also recognized the presence of industry partners Albemarle, LANXESS, and Tetra, whose involvement strengthens the collaborative foundation of the initiative.
SAU president, Dr. Bruno Hicks, welcomed guests and reflected on the University’s role in workforce readiness and STEM education. He highlighted how LiTHIUMLEARNS has grown to include partnerships with K-12 schools, SAU’s engineering programs, South Arkansas College, and other higher education institutions across the state.
Hicks also praised the ongoing support of industry partners, noting that their collaboration ensures students gain real-world experiences and skills directly connected to emerging opportunities in the lithium sector.
Sheryl Edwards provides welcome and thanks to supporters
“Our industry partners are providing more than just resources — they are offering mentorship, professional development, and research opportunities that prepare students to step directly into critical roles in this growing field,” he added.
Industry leaders echoed the spirit of collaboration. Remi Loiseau, U.S. lithium manager at ExxonMobil, underscored the importance of building not just projects, but an entire industry in Arkansas, supported by strong educational and community partnerships. He reflected on ExxonMobil’s work with SAU, highlighting contributions to research initiatives, engineering programs, and STEM education outreach that are already shaping Arkansas’s workforce pipeline. Loiseau described his company’s investment as more than business development, emphasizing genuine friendship and collaboration with local institutions and residents.
Valarie Smith of Standard Lithium followed, thanking SAU for the opportunity to be part of the celebration. Speaking on behalf of the company’s joint efforts in the region, she noted the strong relationships that have been built from Union County through Lafayette County and into Miller County.
Marcia Moore, assistant director of field operations with Arkansas Workforce Connections, announced the return of employment services to the Harvey Couch facility. She introduced new staff member, Courtney Dunn, who will deliver career support services, including job search assistance and case tracking, directly to the community.
Attendees also included representatives from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Apprenticley, further underscoring the broad coalition supporting this effort.
Industry partners attend open house
Following the remarks, attendees gathered for the official ribbon cutting, symbolizing a new chapter in advancing lithium innovation, workforce training, and economic growth in Southwest Arkansas. After the ceremony, guests were invited to tour the new facility, where they had the opportunity to see firsthand the resources and collaborative spaces that will support the LiTHIUMLEARNS initiative and future workforce programs.
The event was made possible through partnerships with Arkansas Workforce Connections, LiTHIUMLEARNS, LiTHIUMWORKS, the Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster, and Southern Arkansas University.
About SAU:
SAU, located in Magnolia, Arkansas, provides students with a complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today. As part of this commitment, SAU proudly offers the Next Step Guarantee program, ensuring that students receive the necessary resources, career guidance, and support to transition successfully from college to their chosen careers or graduate studies. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.
