Sharon Strong Named Director of Arkansas Scholarship Lottery

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 13, 2024) – Jim Hudson, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), today announced Sharon Strong has been appointed Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. The Scholarship Lottery is a division of DFA

Strong joins the Lottery from the Office of Attorney General Tim Griffin where she served as Senior Assistant Attorney General. In this role, Strong supervised a team of special agents and attorneys who investigate and prosecute criminal fraud and abuse. She also played a key role in drafting and supporting legislation to protect vulnerable Arkansans.

“Sharon has been an advocate for Arkansans throughout her career. She understands the mission of the Lottery is supporting Arkansas’ students through scholarships, providing resources to allow them to thrive.

“Sharon has been an advocate for Arkansans throughout her career,” said Secretary Hudson. “She understands the mission of the Lottery is supporting Arkansas’ students through scholarships, providing resources to allow them to thrive. She will build strong relationships with all our partners, including the Arkansas General Assembly, to maximize Lottery’s impact in a responsible manner. I’m proud to welcome her to the Scholarship Lottery and DFA.”

Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, Strong served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Pulaski County and Perry County. She was also a Staff Attorney for the Public Service Commission and Disability Rights Arkansas.

“I am thankful to the Governor and Secretary Hudson for the opportunity to lead the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery,” said Strong. “Lottery has a senior leadership team with decades of experience and institutional knowledge. Working as a team with all stakeholders, the Lottery will positively impact future generations of Arkansans.”

Strong is a Little Rock native. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Policy from Southern Methodist University. Strong obtained her law degree from The American University, Washington College of Law. Immediately following law school, she served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Frederick County, Maryland, and a Public Defender for the State of Maryland.

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery was approved by voters in 2008. Since that time, the Lottery has provided students more than 770,000 scholarships totaling $1.4 billion.

Find more information at www.myarkansaslottery.com.

SOURCE: Arkansas Scholarship Lottery / NASPL.