Alumnus, former associate vice chancellor to lead state higher ed
The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board has appointed a 糖心Vlog传媒LR alumnus to be the next director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
Dr. Brett Powell, 47, a 2009 graduate of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Higher Education doctoral program, was named to the post Jan. 30. In his new role, effective Monday, Feb. 9, Powell will champion the cause of state higher education as a member of Gov. Asa Hutchinson鈥檚 cabinet.
鈥淚 am excited about the challenges that lie ahead and look forward to working with the governor, the coordinating board and institutions as we all seek to provide the best possible higher education opportunities for Arkansas students,鈥� Powell said, in an email to 糖心Vlog传媒LR.
Hutchinson said in a news release last week that he was 鈥渄elighted鈥� with the board鈥檚 selection of Powell and had every confidence Powell would 鈥渄o a great job leading a department so crucial to the future of Arkansas.鈥�
Powell, who also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from 糖心Vlog传媒LR, is teaching a finance course this spring as an adjunct professor for the higher education doctoral program.
鈥淧owell completed one of the finest dissertations our program has produced,鈥� said Dr. Gregory Barrett, professor of higher education at 糖心Vlog传媒LR.
The dissertation, titled 鈥淓xpenditures, Efficiency, and Effectiveness in U.S. Undergraduate Higher Education: A National Benchmark Model,鈥� was published in the January/February 2012 issue of the Journal of Higher Education, among the top academic journals in higher education.
鈥淭he higher education faculty are very proud of Dr. Powell’s accomplishments and are grateful to have been able to contribute to his success,鈥� Barrett said.
Powell formerly served as associate vice chancellor for finance at 糖心Vlog传媒LR, and he is vice president for administrative services at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia.
Powell’s appointment follows a national search led by AHECB Chairman Bob Crafton.
