On Monday, University of Arkansas System President Donald R. Bobbitt appointed Andrea Stewart as interim chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, effective July 1.
Stewart, currently serving as provost and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, will assume this role until a new permanent chancellor is named, according to a news release.
After 11 years, UAPB Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander will leave the university 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,” 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 received a doctorate in social work from Howard University and a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the interim chancellor of UAPB and thank Dr. Bobbitt for this tremendous opportunity,” 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.”
Stewart has served as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs since August 2022. Prior to that, she was the dean of the UAPB School of Arts & Sciences beginning in 2013, providing leadership to 12 academic departments. She served as coordinator/director of the social work program for 25 years, leading its initial accreditation and subsequent reaffirmations. Stewart served as interim chair of the Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences and president of UAPB’s Faculty and Staff Senate. She successfully supported the Department of Nursing faculty to begin a new nursing program in 2015, according to a news release from the UA System.
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,” Bobbitt said.