The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) has released the names of 58 individuals who have applied for the Chancellor role. This development follows the resignation of former Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander in June 2024. In the interim, Andrea Stewart has been serving as the acting chancellor.
A Highly Qualified and Diverse Pool
Among the candidates are a variety of well-respected leaders from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), as well as individuals with experience at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) and community colleges. The cadre includes presidents, vice presidents, provosts, and other high-ranking officials from institutions across the country, reflecting the widespread interest in leading Arkansas’ only public HBCU.
Below is the full list of applicants who have thrown their names into consideration for the UAPB chancellorship:
UAPB Chancellor Applicants
- Michael J. Villanella
Assistant Vice President for Online Admissions, Online Advising, Adult Learners Prior Learning Assessment, and Corporate Partnerships
Kean University, New Jersey - Brandon Vinson
Vice President for Enrollment Management
Presbyterian College, South Carolina - Allen P. Vital
Chief of Staff, Office of the President
Southern University System, Louisiana - Xavier L. Whitaker
Vice President for Student Affairs
Clark Atlanta University, Georgia - Dannelle F. W. Whiteside
Vice President for Legal Affairs and Organizational Strategy
Austin Peay State University, Tennessee - Katara A. Williams
Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement and External Relations
Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Louisiana - Freddie E. Wills Jr.
Vice President for STEM Initiatives and Research Partnerships
Harris-Stowe State University - Rick W. Smith Sr.
Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Administrative Projects
Simmons College of Kentucky - Steven Smith
Vice President of Regional Campuses
University of North Georgia - Jamal Allen Sowell
Vice President of Government Relations
Florida A&M University - Nicole Yvette Strange-Martin
Dean, College of Education
Alabama State University - Braque M. Talley Sr.
Vice President of Student Affairs
Alabama A&M University - Jack Thomas
Professor of English and Former President
Central State University, Ohio - Willie L. Todd Jr.
President and CEO
Denmark Technical College, South Carolina - Archie Tucker II
President
Push Pull Solutions - Yolanda W. Page
President
Stillman College, Alabama - Antonius Pegues
Vice President of Finance and Administration
Albany State University - Atif Quarni
Former Associate Director
The Hope Center, Temple University, Pennsylvania - Terrell Emon Robinson
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Lake County Campus
Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana - Robert Scott
President of Research and Development
Kraft Heinz - Darryl Scriven
Interim Executive Director, Cyber Policy Institute
Florida A&M University - Michael Self Sr.
Deputy Provost, Director of Title III, and Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Wilberforce University, Ohio - Sherrille T. Shabazz
Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life (Systemwide)
Berkeley College, New Jersey - Lorenzo M. Smith
Special Assistant to the President for Academic Strategies; Former Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs
Stephen F. Austin State University - Nolan B. McMurray Jr.
Dean, College of Life and Physical Sciences
Tennessee State University - Lewatis D. McNeal
Vice Provost for Regional Higher Education and Partnerships
Ohio University - Robert C. Mock Jr.
Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff
University of Maryland Eastern Shore - Hector M. Molina
Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Technology, and Operations
Fayetteville State University, North Carolina - Johnny M. Moore
Chancellor
Arkansas State University-Newport - Anthony C. Nelson
Dean, School of Business
North Carolina Central University - Gwyneth R. Nelson
Executive Director and CEO
South Carolina Institutes of Innovation & Information, South Carolina Commission on Higher Education - Teresa Merriweather Orok
Executive Director, Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
Alabama A&M University - Keith V. Johnson
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
East Tennessee State University - Walter M. Kimbrough
Interim President
Talladega College, Alabama - Stevie L. Lawrence II
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Lincoln University of Missouri - Albert Lewis Jr.
Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President
Northwest State Community College, Ohio - Pui-Man Paul Low
President and Chief Investment Officer
Deo Gracias Consulting Group - Pamela G. Luckett
Chief Digital Engagement and Transformation Officer
Dallas College - Carla M. Martin
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff - Graham P. Matthews
Program Director of Early Childhood Education
Tennessee State University - John W. McAllister
Associate Professor of Orientation and Mobility/Program Coordinator
University of Arkansas at Little Rock - Maurice D. Gipson
Interim President and CEO
Philander Smith University - Anthony Graham
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina - Kendall T. Harris
Interim Dean, College of Engineering and Sciences
University of Texas Permian Basin - Nelson A. Henry
Chief Innovation Officer
Center for Strategic Leadership & Organizational Coherence - Ernie T. Hughes
Vice President for University Advancement
Truman State University, Missouri - Claude P. Hutto Sr.
Dean, Division of Professional and Continuing Studies; Assistant Vice Provost
Morehouse College, Georgia - David H. Jackson Jr.
Professor of History and Former Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
North Carolina Central University - Alton B. Johnson
Director, Rice Research and Extension Center
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture - Ro’Shaun A. Bailey
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life
Mississippi Valley State University - Vernell A. Bennett
Owner and Executive Consultant
Navigate Higher Education LLC - Darrell L. Cain
Former Interim President
Everett Community College, Washington - Robert Z. Carr Jr.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Fisk University, Tennessee - Marcus A. Chanay
President
College of Health Services and Careers/B1 Foundation, Mississippi - Robert N. Corley III
Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs, College of Agriculture
Virginia State University - W. Franklin Evans
Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Claflin University, South Carolina - Andre L. Fortune
Vice President for Student Affairs
University of West Georgia - DoVeanna S. Fulton
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Southern University
In the coming months, the UA System President will invite a select group of finalists to visit the campus and engage with various university and community stakeholders. These visits will provide an opportunity for broad constituency groups to meet the candidates and assess their fit for the role of UAPB’s next chancellor. The search process is being conducted in partnership with AGB Search.