About Blayne

Hi! I'm Blayne.

In my professional life, I’m Blayne A. Stewart. In my creative life, I go by Blayne Allan. Some friends started calling me B years ago, and it stuck. So, you can call me B.

I never set out to work in education, but somehow, it kept pulling me back. Now, with nearly two decades of experience working in and around higher education, I’ve found my niche in faculty development, instructional technology, and making things work better for educators. I’m not an innovator. I’m not a disruptor. I just do the work—helping faculty teach more effectively, simplifying processes, and making learning better for students. If there’s a way to improve something, I want to find it.

Before settling into my current role, I spent time in PR, marketing, IT, and web development, working with colleges and institutions to refine their branding, improve their digital presence, and support their mission. I’ve been a full-time photographer, a freelancer, and even an IT director at a hospital (long enough to confirm that education is where I belong). Now, as the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at UACCB, I lead faculty support and instructional technology efforts, helping educators navigate the tools and strategies that make learning work in a modern classroom.

At my core, I believe in a simple philosophy: Teach Them. At the heart of education are students but it doesn’t stop there—it’s also about supporting faculty, staff, and the entire academic community in ways that lead to real learning.

Outside of education, I’m a photographer and a lifelong creative nerd. I’ve learned some of the most important lessons of my life with a camera in my hands, and the moments I’ve shared through photography will always mean the world to me. I also have a completely unnecessary number of shoes, which somehow became part of my personal brand. I never planned on it, but here we are.

I live with my wife and our three goofy dogs in downtown Batesville, Arkansas. When I’m not working, I’m usually enjoying a cup of really good coffee, flying drones, or messing with whatever new piece of tech has caught my attention.

Formal Education

  • Northcentral University; Graduate hours in Higher Education
  • Southern Arkansas University; Master of Science in Computer and Information Science
  • University of Central Arkansas; Bachelor of Science in History
  • Ozarka College; Associate of Arts
  • Johnson County Community College; Railroad Conductor Certificate

Licenses & Certifications

Leadership and Service

  • Old Independence Regional Museum, Board of Directors, 2024 - Present
  • Ozarka College, Information Systems Technology Program, Advisory Board Member; 2017 – 2018
  • Arkansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Web Developer; 2008 – 2020

Work Experience

    • Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence
      2023 - Present

    • Project Director: Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant
      2024 - Present

    • Information Technology Accessibility Committee Chair
      2024 - Present

    • Teaching Technology Coordinator
      2021 - 2023

    • Curriculum Chair
      2020 - 2023

    • Computer Science Faculty
      2018 - 2024

    • Adjunct Computer Science Faculty
      2024 - 2025

    • Director of Information Technology / CTO
      2017 - 2018

    • Director of Public Relations and Marketing
      2012 - 2013

    • Web Developer
      2008 - 2009