AR AIMS Staff – Arkansas AIMS

Rhonda Riggin

Executive Director

rlriggin@araims.org

(479) 849-6656

Rhonda received a BSE and MSE from Henderson State University. She served as an Instructor in the Biology Department at Henderson before moving to Texas where she taught at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor and Central Texas College. Her affiliation with AR AIMS began in 2009 when the high school where she was teaching AP Biology and AP Environmental Science, Booneville High School, became one of the first schools accepted into AR AIMS. AR AIMS encouraged Rhonda to become a Certified LTF Trainer, a consultant for the National Math and Science Initiative, and an AP Biology Reader for CollegeBoard. Rhonda worked as a curriculum writer for AR AIMS, and taught AP Biology at Summer Boot Camps at the U of A, ASU, and UALR. In 2015 she served on the ADE Committee that set the Accelerated Biology Standards when Arkansas adopted the Next Generation Science Standards. Rhonda came to work full time for AR AIMS in 2018 and in 2024 became the Executive Director. She continues to serve as a Table Leader for the AP Biology exam and enjoys being able to work with teachers and students at AR AIMS workshops.

Susan Skinkle

Director of English Programs

slskinkle@araims.org

870-356-9422

has been the AR AIMS English Director since 2018. Prior to accepting this role, she worked closely with AR AIMS as a teacher in an AR AIMS school and by working as a presenter for student and teacher activities and events.

Susan taught English in both Texas and Arkansas for more than 25 years and retired from the classroom after spending 18 years at Centerpoint High School in Amity, Arkansas. While teaching at Centerpoint, Susan developed the AP English program teaching Pre-AP English 10, AP English Language, and AP English Literature. During that time, Susan traveled the United States as a NMSI consultant working with many teachers and students. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher, a College Board AP Advocate, a certified trainer for Laying the Foundation, as well as a Google certified teacher. Susan continues to serve as a Table Leader and Reader for the AP English Language exam; she has been a reader since 2010.

Wes Davis

Director of Math Programs

Wes Davis is a lifelong Arkansan and a graduate of Jacksonville High School (1991). He earned both a Bachelor of Science degree (1995) and a Master of Science in Education degree in Mathematics (1999), building the foundation for a distinguished career in mathematics education.

A National Board Certified Teacher, Wes has dedicated his career to helping students achieve success in mathematics. Throughout his teaching career, he has taught a wide range of rigorous courses, including AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and AP Precalculus.

Beyond the classroom, Wes has contributed extensively to mathematics education at the state and national levels. From 2008 through 2024, he served as a Reader and Table Leader for the AP Statistics Exam, helping to ensure the quality and consistency of exam scoring for students across the country. He also worked with the Arkansas Initiative for Mathematics and Science (AIMS) during its early years as a presenter in Calculus and Statistics, helping students review for the AP Exams.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to mathematics education, Wes was selected as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2021, one of the nation's highest honors for K–12 STEM educators.

Wes remains committed to advancing mathematics education and inspiring students to develop the analytical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for success in college, careers, and life.

Tanya Ruble

Director of Science Programs

tlruble@araims.org

870-403-6888

lives in Arkadelphia, AR and has been the Science Director for AR AIMS since 2020. Tanya spent 22 years in the science classroom before working for AR AIMS. She taught chemistry, Pre-AP chemistry, AP® chemistry, biology, physical science, and ACT prep. In 2015 and 2016, she worked on a project in conjunction with the College Board and New Tech Network to integrate Project Based Learning (PBL) into the AP Chemistry curriculum. Mrs. Ruble served as an AP Chemistry Saturday Prep teacher for the Pulaski County Special School District for several years, wrote the AR AIMS PAP chemistry curriculum, and presented summer workshops for AR AIMS from 2015 to 2020. Tanya is also a College Board Reader for the AP Chemistry exam. Tanya is currently a doctoral candidate at Arkansas State University researching declining student enrollment in Arkansas high school chemistry, physics, and specific AP® science courses.

She enjoys family time with her husband, children and spouses, and five grandchildren in her spare time. Canoeing and kayaking Arkansas rivers and streams bring her relaxation from work and educational pursuits as well as her keen interest in the flora and fauna of the Natural State.

Ginger Abernathy

Program Administrative Assistant

ginger@araims.org

501-213-5824

a graduate of Henderson State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and Marketing. After 13 years as a senior management associate at JCPenney, Ginger was a stay-at-home wife and mother. In 2009, she became a substitute teacher for the Bryant School District. BSD hired her as the Administrative Assistant for their Gifted & Talented and AP Programs in 2012. She began her career at AR AIMS in 2014 as the Program Administrative Assistant. Ginger is married to Robert Abernathy and has one daughter, Annalise Robbins. When she is not working, she enjoys the outdoors boating on Lake Ouachita or riding in the woods on their ATV.

Mark Milhollen

Director of Finances

mdmilhollen@araims.org

is the Finance Director for AR AIMS. He is a graduate of Harding University with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. He served the Little Rock School District for 31 years retiring as CFO. He was invited to join eStem Public Charter school as the founding CFO. He retired in June 2024 as Interim CFO. Mark joined AR AIMS in July, 2014 as Finance Director.