Sympathy to the Family and Former Colleagues of Sandra Combs

10/27/2025

JONESBORO - The university community extends sympathy to the family, friends and former colleagues of Sandra Combs of Jonesboro, former associate professor of multimedia journalism, who died last week.

Combs was retired from the faculty of the School of Media and Journalism, where she also served as adviser to The Herald, the student newspaper, during her 17-year career at Arkansas State University. She came to A-State in 2008 after teaching at two other universities, and concluded her career earlier this year.

A native of Orlando, Combs completed her bachelor's degree at the University of Florida and her master's degree at Michigan State University.

Active in several professional organizations and university committees, Combs was a Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for Advancement of Women in Communication Fellow, and she was recognized by the Craighead County NAACP with its Unsung Hero award, both in 2020.

The National Association of Black Journalists called Combs a dedicated story teller, educator and mentor in a Facebook post, adding that she embodied the spirit of excellence, service and community. Her professional memberships also included the National College Media Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Combs authored a chapter in "The Diversity Style Guide," was editor of two books and proceedings, and wrote numerous articles in professional journals about media issues. She also made presentations on campus and for numerous professional organizations with which she was involved.

Visitation will be 5-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Woodard Funeral Services, followed by the funeral at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at First Baptist Church, both in Jonesboro.

Arkansas State University will darken the tower of the Dean B. Ellis Library Friday evening in memorial tribute to Combs for her contributions to A-State and higher education.