Arkansas names new vice chancellor of academic affairs

The University of Arkansas has appointed Jim Coleman, Northern Arizona University vice president for academic affairs, as its new executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost.

“We are looking forward to welcoming a seasoned administrator to help us enter the new year, and implement the campus planning work we’ve spent the past year actively engaged in,” Joseph Steinmetz, U of A chancellor, said. “I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Professor Peter Ungar, chair of the search committee, and each member of that committee for their steadfast efforts that led to Jim’s appointment. I have a great deal of confidence in their work. Also, I’d like to thank Ashok Saxena for dutifully and effectively serving as provost and providing me with so much support during my first year on the job.”

Coleman will take over the position vacated by Ashok Saxena. Coleman will also serve as professor of biological sciences.

“The search committee was thorough and diligent in its task of reviewing leaders across higher education to make recommendations,” Ungar said. “We were pleased by the diversity of the pool of candidates in terms of ethnicity, gender and particularly institutional experience.”