This student-first approach has guided every role he鈥檚 held at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and now forms the foundation of his leadership as dean of CHASSE.

Ecke joined the university in 2012 as an assistant professor of English and has since become a familiar presence on campus and within CHASSE. Over the past 14 years, he has taken on many academic and administrative leadership roles, such as chair of the Department of English, director of undergraduate research, director of the Signature Experience Research and Creative Works Program, associate dean of college operations, and, most recently, interim dean. Each position has given him a better understanding of the college鈥檚 strengths and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Ecke views his interim-dean tenure as a time of intentional growth and preparation, laying the groundwork for initiatives that are now ready to move forward.

鈥淭hat interim period was really about building some of the structures,鈥� Ecke explained. 鈥淲e focused on donor and alumni development, impact learning, and strengthening our current units. Now, the exciting part is making those structures operational, turning plans into action.鈥�

For Ecke, this progression is at the heart of his vision for CHASSE. He recognizes the strength of the college鈥檚 existing programs, people, and partnerships and wants to build on that foundation, creating even more opportunities for students to connect what they learn in the classroom with real-world experiences.

A key goal is to expand high-impact learning, such as internships, service learning, undergraduate research, creative projects, and study-away experiences. Ecke wants more students to link their academic work with communities outside campus, so they can see how their skills apply in professional and civic life.

鈥淎ny student in CHASSE should have an opportunity to participate in a high-impact learning experience,鈥� Ecke said. 鈥淭hat helps students and the community see how the skills they learn here can be used directly.鈥�

One example is a recently renewed grant for Community Programs, which works with the Little Rock School District to bring social-emotional learning into local schools through lessons, activities, and daily engagement. The program involves a new partnership with the School of Social Work, giving social work students a chance to do internships in schools. Ecke hopes these opportunities will grow to include students in applied communication, education, and other fields, so more students can use what they learn in hands-on, real-world experiences.

For Ecke, partnerships like this show how CHASSE can connect academic programs with community needs and give students valuable experience before they graduate.

This approach also applies to faculty research and scholarship. Ecke wants to give more support to faculty research, knowing that stronger scholarly and creative work can also give students more chances to join research, creative projects, and other high-impact experiences with their professors.

Ecke鈥檚 vision also includes the physical spaces where learning, creativity, and collaboration occur. Over the past year, CHASSE completed three major infrastructure projects: Little Rock Public Radio moved into new studios in Stabler Hall with upgraded equipment; University television was renovated under Director Brant Collins and videographer Cole Clevenger, who prepared the facility and student internship opportunities; and the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall was retrofitted and modernized.

Soon, both the university community and the public can experience these improved spaces in person. On Sept. 10, Little Rock Public Radio will host an and ribbon-cutting at its new studios. Later, on Nov. 5, the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall and Fine Arts galleries will welcome guests for the university鈥檚 Centennial Campaign Celebration.聽

Ecke views this work as a foundation for future progress.

鈥淭hese are the spaces where students do the work,鈥� Ecke said. 鈥淣ow we build from here.鈥�

Ecke also plans to convert an underused space in the Fine Arts building into a shared lounge for faculty, staff, and students. This space would encourage collaboration and idea-sharing beyond traditional classrooms or offices. The concept builds on recent updates to the student lounge on the ground floor, which has quickly become a popular gathering place.

鈥淚 would like to build that space up as a CHASSE Innovation Hub,鈥� Ecke said.

He envisions it as a space where faculty, staff, and students can develop ideas and collaborate in informal and spontaneous ways.

For Ecke, these connections matter especially in a college as wide-ranging as CHASSE. The college brings together disciplines ranging from education and psychological science, journalism, communication, history, public affairs, the arts, and the humanities. These areas may have different ways of learning and creating, but they all shape and serve the communities where graduates work — and Ecke sees that breadth not as a challenge to manage, but as one of CHASSE鈥檚 greatest strengths.

鈥淓ach discipline has its own way of knowing, a way to learn and share information,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 would love for people to see how important it is to have this variety of ways of knowing.鈥�

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As dean, Ecke will lead one of the university鈥檚 most interdisciplinary colleges, which prepares students for careers in education, the arts, public service, communication, social sciences, and related fields while advancing research, creativity, and community engagement across Arkansas.

鈥淒r. Ecke鈥檚 extensive experience in a variety of academic and administrative leadership roles at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has prepared him well for this position,鈥� said Provost Ann Bain. 鈥淗is broad understanding of the college and the university will allow him to transition seamlessly into the role and continue the important work in CHASSE.鈥�

Ecke earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of California at Davis and a Ph.D. in English with a linguistic emphasis from the University of California at Berkeley in 2009. His scholarly work focuses on poetics, linguistics, and the history and structure of the English language.

He joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2012 as an assistant professor of English and has held numerous academic and administrative leadership roles at the university, including interim dean of CHASSE, interim associate dean of college operations for CHASSE, director of undergraduate research, chair of the Department of English, director of the Signature Experience Research and Creative Works Program, and student success coordinator for the Department of English.

鈥淚 am honored to serve as dean of CHASSE and continue working alongside our outstanding faculty, staff, students, and community partners,鈥� Ecke said. 鈥淭his college plays a vital role in shaping creative thinkers, educators, and leaders who make meaningful contributions throughout Arkansas and beyond. I look forward to building on our momentum and expanding opportunities for our students and programs.鈥�

Provost Ann Bain also thanked Dr. Brian Berry, who chaired the national search, for his leadership throughout the search process.

鈥淒r. Berry has provided exceptional leadership during the search and helped facilitate a thoughtful and inclusive process,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淲e appreciate his dedication and service to the university.鈥�

The College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education serves thousands of students through a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs and plays a central role in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 mission of education, research, and community engagement.To learn more about the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, visit the college鈥檚 website or email chasse@ualr.edu.

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Dr. Jeremy Ecke has been appointed interim dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE) following the departure of Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, who has accepted a deanship at Wichita State University.聽

He previously served as associate dean for college operations and chair of the Department of English and will lead the college while a national search for the next dean takes place.  

鈥淐HASSE is home to a vibrant group of faculty and students doing meaningful work in the classroom, on stage, in studios, and in the community,鈥� said Ecke. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a privilege to support that work and help ensure a smooth transition during the upcoming academic year.鈥�

Additionally, Joli Livaudais has been named the director of the School of Art and Design. Livaudais has worked to leverage the university鈥檚 world-class Windgate Center of Art and Design to enhance student experiences, support faculty practice, and expand public programming.

鈥淥ur students and faculty bring such creativity and passion to their work,鈥� Livaudais said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to continue supporting their efforts and building momentum for the school鈥檚 future.鈥�

In the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (DCSTEM), Dr. Annie Childers has been named chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. 

A longtime faculty member, Childers has served in a variety of leadership roles, including interim associate dean of the college and graduate coordinator for all applied mathematics and statistics programs. 

鈥淢athematics and statistics are essential to a wide range of disciplines,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to serve the department in this new role and to continue supporting our students and faculty.鈥�

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain said the appointments reflect the university鈥檚 strong momentum and the caliber of leadership rising across campus. 

鈥淭hese leaders represent the best of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 鈥� dedicated scholars and collaborative professionals who care deeply about our students and the future of their fields,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淭heir leadership will help us continue building momentum across campus, and I鈥檓 excited to work alongside them.鈥�

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