Ozarka College is proud to announce that Amber Rush, Vice President of Finance, has been selected to participate in Leadership Arkansas Class XXI, a prestigious statewide program that brings together professionals from across Arkansas to strengthen leadership skills, build connections, and gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the state.

Rush serves as Vice President of Finance at Ozarka College, where she provides strategic oversight of the College's financial operations, budgeting, accounting, compliance, and long-range planning. With more than 15 years of experience in higher education finance, Rush has established a strong record of fiscal stewardship, operational excellence, and collaborative leadership.

"Amber is an outstanding leader and a tremendous asset to Ozarka College," said Dr. Josh Wilson, president of Ozarka College. "We are proud of the work she does for our institution, and I know Leadership Arkansas will provide valuable opportunities for her to grow, build connections, and contribute her perspective to leadership across our state."

Rush earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Arkansas State University and a Master of Business Administration from Arkansas Tech University. Her educational background, combined with extensive experience in governmental and higher education accounting, has provided a strong foundation for her work in financial management and institutional strategy.

Before joining Ozarka's executive leadership team, Rush served as Controller at the College, where she led financial reporting, audits, and institutional budgeting. She also served as a Finance Lead for the University of Arkansas System's Workday ERP implementation, supporting campuses across the system through financial system modernization and process improvement initiatives.

Throughout her career, Rush has remained committed to advancing student success through responsible stewardship and strategic planning. She is passionate about mentoring finance professionals, improving organizational processes, and developing practical solutions to complex challenges.

Leadership Arkansas, a program of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas, is designed to develop and connect established and emerging leaders from throughout the state. Participants gain firsthand knowledge of Arkansas industries, communities, economic development initiatives, and public policy while building relationships with leaders from a variety of professional backgrounds.

Ozarka College congratulates Rush on her selection to Leadership Arkansas Class XXI and looks forward to the knowledge, connections, and experiences she will bring back to the College and the communities it serves.