Two staff members from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Facilities Management office have received the Certified Educational Facilities Professional credential from APPA: Leadership in Education Facilities. 

Leslie Hutchins, assistant director of Facilities Management planning and capital construction, and Ian Hadden, director of energy management, earned the certification on July 23. The credential validates the unique knowledge and competency required of an accomplished professional in the educational facilities field and incorporates advanced training in planning, design and construction, daily operations, and general management.

APPA’s Certified Educational Facilities Professional credential is the only certification that demonstrates the recipient’s qualifications for educational facilities management and their dedication to the educational facilities profession, according to John Morris, chair of APPAs’ Board for Educational Facilities Professionals Certification.

“Credentialing is important, not just to show that you are qualified, but also to show that you have enough dedication in your role to make the effort to earn a professional certification,” Morris said. “Quite often that says more about an individual than the certification itself. By obtaining and maintaining this credential, recipients will further assure forward-thinking relevancy and mastery of the best management practices related to educational facilities.”

APPA promotes leadership in educational facilities for professionals seeking to build their careers, transform their institutions, and elevate the value and recognition of facilities in education. APPA provides members the opportunity to explore trends, issues, and best practices in educational facilities through research, publications, professional development and credentialing. Formerly the Association of Physical Plant Administrators, APPA is the association of choice for 5,200 educational facilities professionals at more than 1,500 learning institutions throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad.