UA System President Names Interim Chancellor

Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Appointed Effective July 1

On Monday, June 17, University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt appointed Dr. Andrea Stewart as interim chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), effective July 1. Dr. Stewart, currently serving as provost and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, will assume this role until a new permanent chancellor is named. After eleven years of service, Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander will leave UAPB at the end of the month to become chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint.

“I am pleased that Dr. Stewart has accepted this appointment as we embark upon the comprehensive search for the next chancellor,” Dr. Bobbitt said. “While I hope we can complete the search expeditiously, I feel it is much more important that we work carefully to find the right person for this critical position. Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Stewart, we have the opportunity to be deliberative and strategic in our work.”

Stewart was named provost and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs in 2023, following a year-long interim tenure. Prior to her interim position, she served as the dean of the School of Arts & Sciences from 2013 to 2022. Dr. Stewart received a doctorate in social work from Howard University and both a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s in sociology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

“I am deeply honored to serve as the interim chancellor of UAPB and thank Dr. Bobbitt for this tremendous opportunity,” Dr. Stewart said. “This institution holds a rich legacy of academic excellence and community impact, and I am committed to advancing its mission during this transitional period.”

President Bobbitt will soon establish the Chancellor’s Search Committee to advise him and the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees on identifying and vetting candidates, interviewing semi-finalists, and scheduling visits to Arkansas for finalists, ensuring the entire campus community is engaged in the process.

“Their insights will be invaluable as we identify, evaluate, and ultimately appoint the next chancellor who will guide UAPB into its next chapter of growth and success.”