A University of Arkansas provost and the executive vice chancellor is leaving Fayetteville to take a similar role in North Carolina.
Jim Coleman will be stepping down at the end of the current fiscal year to assume the role of provost and executive vice chancellor, as well as professor of biology at University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
In the wake the Coleman’s departure, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Charles Robinson will serve as an interim provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs.
Robinson has served as vice chancellor for student affairs since 2016 and previously served as vice chancellor for diversity affairs. Joining the U of A faculty in 1999, Robinson became a full professor of history and served as the director of the university’s African American Studies program.
“I’d like to congratulate Jim on his new opportunity, while recognizing his significant impact on our campus,” Chancellor Joe Steinmetz said in a statement. “Jim’s leadership in all aspects of academic affairs has ushered in new directions in research and innovation, diversity and inclusion, student success and resource development. His leadership roles on our campus have helped advance many exciting developments from the Student Success Center to a new research institute. He has also brought some very outstanding people to campus as well with key hires and promotions.”
According to a U of A news release, the university will conduct an internal search for a new provost. This search is expected to begin in late 2020 or early 2021.
Multiple university units report to the provost. These units include all of the university’s colleges and schools, as well as the Global Campus, administrative and academic units including Academic Initiatives and Integrity, ROTC units of the Army and Air Force, Enrollment Services, Faculty Development and Enhancement, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, Student Success, University Libraries and the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center.
However, the Office of Research and Innovation and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion are moving away from the provost’s oversight and will report directly to the chancellor.
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