Amanda Kuttenkuler is the Associate Director of the Arkansas Rrual Health Academy (ARHA). Amanda has more than 10 years of experience working in higher education and non-profit organizations. Amanda has extensive knowledge of workforce education, placement, and training. She is passionate about providing educational opportunities to people in the Arkansas Delta to build stronger communities for the future by advocating for and providing needed resources to make educational attainment for Arkansas Delta residents possible.
Amanda is also a Mental Health Advocate. She is a Mental Health First Aid trainer and has been responsible for training more than 1500 Arkansans in MHFA and Youth MHFA. Amanda was recognized as Arkansas's top Mental Health First Aid instructor in 2022 and 2023. Amanda works with organizations all over the state to facilitate Mental Health First Aid for Arkansans. Amanda’s commitment to Mental and Behavioral Health has been featured in several news stories and magazines.
As the Vice President of Outreach Initiatives, Amanda manages a grant portfolio of 6 grants covering 19 Arkansas Delta counties as well as other portions of Arkansas. Amanda oversees Arkansas Rural Health Partnership’s workforce and mental and behavioral health initiatives. Amanda also gives presentations on Mental Health, Suicide Awareness, and Mental Health in the Workforce and workforce initiatives.
Amanda is involved in many boards and committees across the state including Winthrop Rockefeller’s Health Equity Commission, the ARHP Behavioral Health task force, Arkansas Work Ready Communities, Arkansas Career and Technical Education initiatives, and UAM College of Technology McGehee Allied Health Advisory board. She works with stakeholders and funders to improve education and Mental Health throughout Arkansas.
Amanda received a Bachelor of Science degree in speech communication from the University of Central Missouri and a Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.
Amanda lives in Grant County with her husband and two sons and her three fur babies.
