Two Arkansas universities began searching for new leadership this week. Both the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro are looking for someone to fill the role of chancellor for the institutions.
The University of Arkansas launched a website Thursday devoted to its search for a permanent new chancellor. The site includes a description of the position’s responsibilities, an overview of the search process and other relevant information.
In a press release, the UA said the live site marks the official launch of the search process. Charles Robinson has served as interim chancellor for the flagship Fayetteville campus since August of last year following the resignation of Joe Steinmetz.
“This is an exciting milestone in the search as we share our vision for our next chancellor publicly for the first time and begin looking for the best person to lead the university moving forward,” said Kim Needy, chair of the chancellor search committee and dean of the UA’s College of Engineering. “I’m thankful to all of those on the search committee and those we have consulted so far for their thoughtful approach and wisdom at every step of the process.”
The search committee includes faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of the university and has been meeting regularly since February to “develop the position description and overall framework for the search process,” according to the UA. The committee will advise UA System President Don Bobbitt as he considers candidates.
Arkansas State University System President Chuck Welch announced the official launch of the search for the next chancellor for the A-State campus in Jonesboro on Tuesday.
Review of applications will begin in late May with on-campus interviews expected in June, Welch told university constituencies. The Chancellor Search Advisory Committee, which consists of faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of the university, has also been appointed.
“This committee will assist me in the search for our next chancellor,” Welch said. “The committee is composed of faculty, staff, students and alumni/community representatives. It is my hope that this committee will provide a broad base of perspective and input during our search process.”
Duties of the committee will include screening all applications, selecting candidates for preliminary and on-campus interviews and providing final feedback and recommendations to Welch.
The new Arkansas State University chancellor will succeed Dr. Kelly Damphousse, who recently announced he will resign June 30 after five years in the role, to join Texas State University as president.
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