- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Drale named chancellor at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:04:45 +0000

The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas today unanimously accepted ��Vlog��ý System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt’s recommendation to name Christina Drale, Ph.D., chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Bobbitt previously named Drale acting chancellor following the resignation of former Chancellor Dr. Andrew Rogerson that went into effect on Sept. 1. The Board voted to approve Bobbitt’s recommendation to hire Drale as permanent chancellor at its regularly scheduled meeting today at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

“I’m very pleased to have been given the confidence and support from Dr. Bobbitt and the Trustees to help guide ��Vlog��ý Little Rock into a new era of improvement in many areas on campus,” Drale said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to bring the campus and the community together and work with our students, faculty, staff and alumni to move ��Vlog��ý Little Rock forward in the most efficient and effective ways possible. I appreciate the supportive reception I’ve gotten so far on campus and in the community, and I look forward to helping make this institution all it can be.”

Drale has served as interim executive vice chancellor and provost at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock since October 2018. She previously served as associate vice chancellor for faculty relations and administration. She earned a doctorate degree in sociology, a Master of Arts in sociology, and a Bachelor of Arts in communications, all from the University of California, San Diego.

“Dr. Drale is widely respected on campus and is equipped with the necessary skillset to guide ��Vlog��ý Little Rock through the challenges it currently faces and help solidify its unique standing as a comprehensive metropolitan university serving our Capital City and the entire state,” Bobbitt said. “I appreciate her stepping in recently to accept the challenge as acting chancellor and look forward to working with her and supporting her efforts to improve the institution.”

The Board authorized Bobbitt to enter into a two-year employment agreement with Drale, which will be executed in the coming days. Drale will also be charged with identifying a new executive vice chancellor and provost to fill her previous position.

Drale named acting chancellor of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Janea Snyder — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 15:03:17 +0000

University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt today named Christina Drale, Ph.D., acting chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Drale has served as interim executive vice chancellor and provost of the campus since October 2018. Drale will serve as acting chancellor as Bobbitt considers a plan for the future leadership of the campus. Bobbitt said he will continue visiting with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock internal and external stakeholders leading up to the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas on Sept. 12-13. “In her time in the provost position, Dr. Drale has shown to be a very capable leader and I am grateful to her for stepping up to serve ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as acting chancellor,” Bobbitt said. “She has my full confidence and support as we work through a long-term plan for the institution.” Drale previously served as associate vice chancellor for faculty relations and administration. She earned a doctorate degree in sociology, a Master of Arts in sociology, and a Bachelor of Arts in communications, all from the University of California, San Diego.

Governor, Congressman to Speak at May 11 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Investiture

Shanna Fitzgerald — Mon, 08 May 2017 19:46:02 +0000

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and U.S. Rep. French Hill are among the distinguished guests scheduled to speak during the investiture ceremony for University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson. Rogerson’s investiture is set to begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 11, in the Jack Stephens Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus, with a public reception immediately following the ceremony. University of Arkansas System President Donald R. Bobbitt and the ��Vlog��ý Board of Trustees, as well as university faculty, staff, students, and alumni, are hosting the event, which is open to the public to formally recognize Rogerson’s appointment to the university’s highest position. Attendees can RSVP by sending an email to investiture@ualr.edu. Dr. Ruben Armiñana, president emeritus of Sonoma State, where Rogerson previously served in a leadership role, will be the guest featured speaker at the May 11 ceremony. Since joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on Sept. 1, 2016, Rogerson has focused on collaboration with the central Arkansas community. In particular, Rogerson continues to concentrate on affordability and accessibility of higher education to benefit the residents, businesses, governments, and communities of the region. He is also focused on increasing student enrollment and graduation rates. Rogerson, who earned a Ph.D. in protozoan ecology, has decades of previous experience, including, most recently, as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Sonoma State University. As a native of Glasgow, Scotland, he is the first internationally born chancellor of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. More information about the celebration is available at .

Public invited to Chancellor Andrew Rogerson’s May 11 investiture

Shanna Fitzgerald — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 18:18:06 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock community, alumni, friends of the university and members of the public are invited to celebrate the appointment of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson. RSVP today Rogerson’s investiture is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at the Jack Stephens Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus, with a public reception immediately following the ceremony. A special gallery showing of Rogerson’s landscape paintings is set to run from May 9 through 31 at Gallery I in the university’s Fine Arts Building. The investiture ceremony formally recognizes and celebrates Rogerson’s appointment to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s highest leadership position. University of Arkansas System President Donald R. Bobbitt and the ��Vlog��ý Board of Trustees, as well as university faculty, staff, students, and alumni, are hosting the event. Attendees can RSVP by sending an email to investiture@ualr.edu. Since joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on Sept. 1, 2016, Rogerson has focused on collaboration with the central Arkansas community. “I feel very strongly about the role that a metropolitan university like ��Vlog��ý Little Rock should play within a community, a system, and a state, even regionally and nationally,” Rogerson said. In particular, Rogerson has focused on affordability and accessibility of higher education to benefit the residents, businesses, government, and communities of the region. He is also focused on increasing student enrollment and graduation rates. Less than a year into his time as chancellor, Rogerson has already put those priorities into motion by developing partnerships with local high schools and community colleges to create a seamless and affordable pathway to the university. The Trojan Pathway agreement with the Little Rock School District and a similar agreement in nearby Jacksonville provide models for future collaboration. Rogerson, who earned a Ph.D. in protozoan ecology, has decades of previous experience, including, most recently, as provost and vice president of academic affairs at . As a native of Glasgow, Scotland, he is the first internationally born chancellor of the university. Dr. Ruben Armiñana, president emeritus of Sonoma State, will be the featured speaker at the May 11 ceremony. More information about the celebration is available at .

About ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a metropolitan research university in the heart of Arkansas that provides quality education through flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. The university prepares its 11,000 students to be innovators and responsible leaders in their fields. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is a driving force in central Arkansas’s thriving cultural community and a major component of the city and state’s growing profile as a regional leader in research, technology, economic development, and job creation.

Chancellor Andrew Rogerson reflects on his first day on the job

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 19:36:35 +0000

Dr. Andrew Rogerson began his journey as the new chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Sept. 1. Rogerson and his wife Janessa came to ��Vlog��ýLR from California, where Rogerson was provost and vice president of academic affairs at Sonoma State University, part of the California State University system. A native of Scotland, Rogerson earned both an undergraduate honors degree in biology and a doctorate in protozoan ecology. He has been a professor, scholar, and senior administrator at leading universities in England, Canada, and the United States, including Marshall University and Fresno State. At the end of his first day as chancellor on Sept. 1, the ��Vlog��ýLR Office of Communications and Marketing met with Rogerson to get the scoop on his move to Arkansas, his first day on the job, riding motorbikes to work, and his surprising past as an artist. Q. How are you and Janessa adjusting to life in Arkansas? A. We are enjoying the transition very much. Everyone has been very supportive. We are thrilled by the Southern hospitality and the generosity of the people we’ve met. A lot of what we’ve been involved with has been meeting members of the community. We have been starting off engaging with the community and university leaders in preparation for the kickoff of my first day. We have felt the warm hospitality of this state and this city. We are thrilled with the chancellor’s house and its potential to become a hub of entertainment. Q. How do you feel about beginning your journey as the chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock? A. I am very excited. It seems like it’s been a long time coming. I accepted the position towards the end of May, and here we are on Sept. 1. However, it couldn’t have happened any faster, because I did have to finish responsibly at Sonoma State and then transition to Arkansas. I have been impatient to get here and get started. I did spend the summer learning a lot about ��Vlog��ýLR, and I’ve had briefings sent to me, all of which has piqued my interest to get here and start this job.

��ٱ��:

Q. Did Janessa give you any memorable advice today?

Go forth and be wonderful. My wife has a lot of confidence in me. Having spent 14 years in university administration, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. There is not a lot in the way of challenges that can hold me back. Janessa has a lot of confidence in me, so she just wanted to remind me that this will be a very challenging and rewarding job. She did make sure I was respectable for day one. I am famous for having a wardrobe in my office. I used to be notorious for not wearing a suit and tie, and that is mainly because I drove a motorbike to work, which is not conducive to wearing a suit and tie. Even today, I drove a red Ducati, a red Italian sports bike, to work. Q. What did you do on your first day as chancellor? A. It’s important to realize I am on an incredibly steep learning curve. My first day and first few weeks will be spent learning everything I can about this great university. So to start this learning course, today I spent time meeting my senior vice chancellors. I haven’t met with all of them. Today, I got up to speed with development, athletics, and community relations. I also had an intense session on the university’s budget and touched based with the head of the faculty senate, Andrew Wright. Q. What was the most memorable part of your first day as chancellor? A. I think it was all the well wishes from the current faculty and staff on the campus and via email. I also received surprise packages from some of the system presidents, vice chancellors, and deans. Everyone has been very welcoming. Q. Looking back on your first official day as chancellor, are there any thoughts you would like to share with the campus community? A. I am coming back for day two. I have no reservations about coming in for day two, because I have thoroughly enjoyed my first day.

��Vlog��ýLR Chancellor Andrew Rogerson and Janessa Rogerson enjoy a night at the ballpark during ��Vlog��ýLR Alumni Night Aug. 27 at Dickey-Stephens Park.

Q. How would you describe your leadership style and your personal approach to being chancellor? A. I think a good scientist has a lot of the qualities of a good university leader, because you have to be ethical, a team player, collaborative, and resilient. You have to be patient. Scientists have to have a sense of humility, and we have to be good communicators. As for my management style, I am very willing to delegate, trust people to the best of their abilities, and to take my time making important decisions. This is something that Steven Sample, who was the president of the University of Southern California, called “artful procrastination” in his recent book, “The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership.” I also have a very casual manner. I don’t get upset when people make mistakes, because we are all human. All I ask is that people come to work in my office happy. Q. Tell me something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn. A. Although I am a scientist, I have always had a love of art. Since the age of 14, I have painted very seriously in oils. When I was 18, I had to make a decision on whether to become a scientist or go to the Glasgow School of Art. I chose science, but never lost my love of art. Also, not so surprising to those who know me, but I usually commute to work on two wheels or my orange MGB. It’s an old British car from the ’70s. Q. Is there anything else you would like to say? A. I think it’s important to know that Janessa and I didn’t choose this position lightly. Our intention is to stay here for the long haul and to help the University of Arkansas at Little Rock reach its full potential.

Heritage Society to have “Coffee with the Chancellor” Sept. 20

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 17:50:57 +0000

Friends of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock who have included the university in their estate planning can attend a special “Coffee with the Chancellor” event on Tuesday, Sept. 20, to meet the university’s new chancellor, Dr. Andrew Rogerson. The event will be held at 9 a.m. in the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center’s Engel Hall. “Coffee with the Chancellor” is a special event to recognize Heritage Society members — alumni and friends who made provisions in their estate plans for gifts to the university. People can become a member of the Heritage Society by naming ��Vlog��ýLR in a will or trust, by designating the university as a life insurance or retirement plan beneficiary, or by creating some other type of planned gift. Only a statement of intent is required to participate in the Heritage Society. The society, formed in the 1990s, has had about 170 members over the years, who together contributed about $7 million to enrich the lives of future students and help the community. Almost $14 million more is planned, according to Jan Davis, director of gift planning. University staff members want to see the ranks of the Heritage Society grow. Each gift is appreciated regardless of size, said Davis, who encourages people to let the university know when they include ��Vlog��ýLR in their planned giving. “These types of legacy gifts are very special, and we appreciate the opportunity to thank our donors in person for their generous gifts,” Davis said. “Each and every gift makes an important impact on the future of the university, providing funds for scholarships, campus improvements, and new educational opportunities for our students.” If you have included ��Vlog��ýLR in your estate planning and would like to attend the event, or would like more information about how to become a member of the Heritage Society, contact Davis at 501-569-8738 or jpdavis@ualr.edu.

University District accepting applications for Anderson Scholarship

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 14:24:31 +0000

The Friends of University District organization is accepting applications for a $1,000 scholarship created in May to honor longtime University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Joel E. Anderson. The Joel E. Anderson University District Scholarship will be awarded to a deserving ��Vlog��ýLR student who resides within the University District for the 2016-17 school year. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. To be eligible, applicants must be a full-time ��Vlog��ýLR student who has resided within the University District boundaries for a minimum of three years. Undergraduate students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, while graduate students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students who demonstrate financial need will be given preference for the scholarship. Anderson, who retired on June 30 after 45 years at ��Vlog��ýLR and 13 years as chancellor, helped establish the University District Department in 2006, and the was incorporated in 2008. On May 4, the board of directors for the University District Development Corp. voted to create the scholarship in Anderson’s honor, recognizing his “vision and steadfast support of the University District and its programs and initiatives.” The district includes the neighborhoods of Broadmoor, Fair Park, Point O Woods, University Park, South of Asher, and War Memorial. In March, residents voted to add a new neighborhood association — the University West Neighborhood — to the district. Members of the Friends of the University District seek to build community relationships for University District initiatives and programs. The group assists the district in communicating its mission to the community at large and developing both volunteer and funding resources to revitalize the University District area. The scholarship application form can be downloaded from the University District Partnership website at www.ualr.edu/universitydistrict. Completed application forms can be sent to University District Director Ron Copeland by email at rrcopeland@ualr.edu, by fax at 501.683.3967, or by mail to University District, 2801 S. University Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72204.

Zulma Toro named interim chancellor of ��Vlog��ýLR

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 19:16:14 +0000

University of Arkansas System President Donald R. Bobbitt has named Dr. Zulma Toro, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, as interim chancellor of the institution upon longtime Chancellor Joel E. Anderson’s retirement on June 30. Following an eight-month search for Anderson’s replacement that ended in May, Bobbitt chose Dr. Andrew Rogerson, currently provost and vice president of academic affairs at Sonoma State University, as ��Vlog��ýLR’s 10th chancellor. Rogerson will begin his appointment on Sept. 1. Toro, who currently oversees ��Vlog��ýLR’s 500-plus, full-time faculty members and nearly 12,000 students, will work closely with Bobbitt from July 1 to Aug. 30 to lead the institution in the interim. “Dr. Toro has a wealth of previous leadership experience and is in a good position to ensure continuity in the day-to-day operations of the institution,” Bobbitt said. “Dr. Toro and I are committed to making sure that the institution’s faculty, students, staff, and the community are well-served and that ��Vlog��ýLR continues its upward trajectory in anticipation of Dr. Rogerson’s arrival.”

Institute on Race and Ethnicity to be renamed in honor of Chancellor Anderson

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 27 May 2016 18:52:14 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Institute on Race and Ethnicity will be renamed in honor of retiring Chancellor Joel E. Anderson, who was instrumental in the establishment of the institute in July 2011. “I am truly honored,” Anderson said. “It pleases me that my name will be associated with an ongoing work to understand and eliminate racial and ethnic prejudice and discrimination in Arkansas.” Institute Director John Kirk requested the name change, which was approved by the institute’s advisory council. The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees approved the request at its May 26 meeting. “Dr. Anderson’s 45 years at ��Vlog��ýLR, with some 39 of those years spent in various leadership positions, has allowed the young man from Swifton to live out his commitment to see ��Vlog��ýLR achieve a pivotal role in pursuing racial and ethnic justice in Arkansas,” Kirk said. “I can think of no more fitting and rightful tribute to this distinguished career than for the Institute to be renamed the Joel E. Anderson Institute on Race and Ethnicity.” Anderson is retiring from ��Vlog��ýLR at the end of June after a 13-year tenure as chancellor. He created the Chancellor’s Committee on Race and Ethnicity in 2006. Out of the committee’s work, the Institute on Race and Ethnicity was created to work with Arkansas communities to end racial and ethnic injustice. The institute has recently been recognized for its work by the Arkansas Historical Association. It received the Diamond Award for the in recognition of its excellence in public history engagement and an award of merit for the Arkansas Civil Rights History Tour App created with the City of Little Rock, which offers residents and visitors a new way to explore the city’s rich civil rights history. In addition, the institute also oversees the annual Racial Attitudes in Pulaski County Conference. In the upper right photo, Chancellor Joel E. Anderson walks to the stage during the 2016 spring commencement at Jack Stephens Center. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III.

Andrew Rogerson selected to lead ��Vlog��ýLR

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 20 May 2016 18:33:27 +0000

University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt announced today that he will recommend Andrew Rogerson, Ph.D., to the ��Vlog��ý Board of Trustees as the next chancellor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Bobbitt’s recommendation to the Board of Trustees will be considered at its next regularly scheduled meeting May 25-26 at Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas. Rogerson is expected to begin his role as ��Vlog��ýLR’s 10th chancellor on Sept. 1. Current ��Vlog��ýLR Chancellor Joel E. Anderson, who has spent more than 45 years at the institution and 13 as chancellor, is retiring June 30. “Entering into the search process the expectation was that a very competent and high-level pool of candidates would be identified and that the right person would rise to the top,” Bobbitt said. “With the help and input of faculty, staff and students, along with the search committee and search firm, a very impressive group of finalists were brought to campus. Frankly, all three offered significant — but different — strengths and have the potential to do the job, but I feel Dr. Rogerson brings a complete skill set to match ��Vlog��ýLR’s needs and is the right person for the job at this time.” Rogerson is currently provost and vice president of academic affairs at Sonoma State University, part of the California State University system. A native of Scotland, he earned both an undergraduate honors degree in biology and a doctorate in protozoan ecology there. He has been a professor, scholar and senior administrator at leading universities in England, Canada and the United States, including most recently at Marshall University and Fresno State. A complete bio can be found here. “I feel very strongly about the role a metropolitan university like ��Vlog��ýLR should play within a community, a system, and a state … even regionally and nationally,” Rogerson said. “There’s a unique synergy that can be created when programs and research are interwoven into a growing community and economy, and my goal is to tap into that to help ��Vlog��ýLR reach its maximum potential. I am very thankful for the hospitality and professionalism that’s been shown to me during this process by everyone involved, and I am extremely excited to get to Little Rock and get to work.” Rogerson’s selection ends an eight-month process led by a search committee established by Bobbitt and supported by Greenwood/Asher & Associates Inc., a leading executive search and consulting firm. The search committee, chaired by Bob Denman, former vice chancellor for advancement at ��Vlog��ýLR, included a diverse group representing the ��Vlog��ý Board of Trustees, university faculty and staff, and the private business sector. “As a committee, we certainly felt extremely confident that ��Vlog��ýLR’s next chancellor was among the finalists we brought to campus,” Denman said. “Dr. Rogerson is a unique individual and someone I quickly came to admire as a person and as an administrator, and I’m certainly pleased that he is the candidate Dr. Bobbitt feels is the best fit for ��Vlog��ýLR.” The three finalists individually visited campus and participated in public forums, ultimately leading to Bobbitt’s recommendation of Rogerson to the ��Vlog��ý Board of Trustees. “The feedback received from the campus community was extremely helpful in this process, and I’d like to thank all of those who took part in the forums, asked questions of the finalists and shared their thoughts,” Bobbitt said. “I also want to thank everyone involved, especially Bob Denman and the search committee, for their hard work and dedication to this process and congratulate them on their help to identify, recruit and welcome Dr. Rogerson to Little Rock.” Anderson, who is retiring June 30, spent more than 45 years at ��Vlog��ýLR, beginning as a political science professor out of graduate school and rising to the ranks of chancellor the past 13 years. “Dr. Anderson is not only someone the campus grew to respect and admire, but also the community,” Bobbitt said. “He has earned a great deal of respect through the years and his presence at the helm of ��Vlog��ýLR will be missed by many. I know that he is invested in ��Vlog��ýLR’s continued growth, and he should feel confident about its future with Dr. Rogerson.” For more information about Rogerson and the search process visit here. Pictured at upper right is Andrew Rogerson, Ph.D.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Drale named chancellor at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Drale named acting chancellor of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Governor, Congressman to Speak at May 11 ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Investiture