HSRC Employee of the Month November 2006

Cornelious Hollinshed

Cornelious Hollinshed is, according to his staff, "an excellent leader in that he leads from the front…he works all the jobs in his section; not just his coordinator and supervisory jobs, but he answers phones and assists his staff any way he can to make the section run smoothly."

Hollinshed has been a member of the ARS family for 18 years, first as Counselor out of the Hot Springs local office, and for the past three and a half years as Admissions Coordinator at the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center.

A graduate of Dumas High, Hollinshed went on to study Sociology and Social Work at Henderson State University, receiving his BS Degree in 1977. He took his knowledge and skills to Hot Springs' Ouachita Children's Center, an emergency shelter for 16-to-18-year-olds, spending the next 11 years working to reintegrate youth into the mainstream by way of home review, counseling, and through the myriad avenues of the juvenile court systems.

The point came, Hollinshed realized, when "I needed a change… the kids had changed, the danger and the rise in the use of weapons… all that told me it was time." Searching the unemployment office's listings for jobs in the counseling field, he found the notice for ARS Field Counselor. "It was the best move I've ever made," he says today.

The differences he discovered between his old job and new one were insightful. "I was now in a place where, every day, I could witness people wanting to help themselves, to develop special skills to take them to a better place, and to aggressively work toward a better future for themselves. It was just such a revelation."

During the years, Hollinshed had worked closely with both Richard Kuhn and Charles Tapp, and when Tapp retired, leaving the Admissions Coordinator position vacant, Hollinshed applied. Today, he reviews cases from field counselors which have been submitted for HSRC/ACTI admission consideration; through the screening process, he explores what services are available for the applicant and considers their use in the plan worked up by the vocational counselor. The prescreening phase includes input from Medical and Psychological professionals as well as the field counselor. "We work as a team," he explains, "and it's a very skilled and experienced team we have. We look for providing the safest environment for the student, and if there is an outlet that we come up with that has not been suggested, we present that as well. We're here for the student and we provide the best options available to assist in their success and independent skill development. It's a challenge I enjoy. And I like the fact that, in my job, I meet the student at the beginning of their journey and can see the progress they make throughout the program."

Co-workers appreciate his commitment to the job and the Center. "He is a role model for anyone…always making the students feel welcome and that he cares that they succeed in their rehabilitation program. It is a pleasure to come to work and see his smiling face…. He is very deserving of this honor."

Not only does he give his best efforts to the job, but Hollinshed is also an ordained pastor for two churches in Rosston, Arkansas – Mt. Vernon and Pine Grove AME Churches. He accepted his calling in 1999 and was ordained, after four years of training, in 2003. He is also a family man, married for 24 years to Virginia, who is a paralegal for Centers for Arkansas Legal Services, and a father of four: daughters Senedra Moore, who has completed an RN degree at Henderson, and Telesha Bennett, who is employed at the Rehabilitation Center in the Basic Education Program sponsored by National Park Community College. Telesha is returning to school in the spring to complete a degree in Childhood Education; and sons Cornelious Jamaal, currently at NPCC but soon to transfer to the University of Arkansas to become a veterinarian, and Leray Davis, who recently moved to Dallas.

Concerning his Employee of the Month selection, Hollinshed says, "I have an excellent staff in Judy Wynn, Joni Byars and Lance Albaugh… they are super, taking care of business as needed. And," he laughs, "I realize from this announcement that they can be conniving too!

"Also I would like to thank Mae Robinson, my immediate supervisor, and Mrs. Barbara Lewis for all of their support. The entire staff at ACTI/HSRC is a special family and graciously appreciated by this recipient."

In whatever area he's involved, Hollinshed will bring enthusiasm and 100% dedication to the table. Asking, "What is retirement?" he says hopes to see himself through his 30 or 35 years of service with the state, and then concentrate on his pastorate... enthusiastically, we're sure.