VP for Academic Affairs Finalists Selected

Three finalists have been selected in the search for the next vice president for academic affairs at Arkansas Tech University.

The finalists are Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman (photographed, top), professor of electrical engineering and associate vice president for research and graduate studies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Dr. James Ermatinger (photographed, middle), dean of liberal arts and sciences at the University of Illinois at Springfield; and Dr. Russell Porter (photographed, bottom), associate provost and associate vice president for graduate studies and research at Texas A&M University-Central Texas.

There were 48 applicants for the position.

The successful candidate will have primary responsibility for the leadership, administration and development of academic programs at Arkansas Tech. The vice president for academic affairs will also promote continued excellence within the faculty.

Additional areas of oversight include the university library, honors program, museum, the Arkansas Tech Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, veterans services, enrollment management, institutional assessment, international student services, the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning, academic advising, registrar and information systems.

It is anticipated that the new vice president for academic affairs will take office in January 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.

That individual will succeed Dr. AJ Anglin, who came to Arkansas Tech in January 2015 to serve as interim vice president for academic affairs after Dr. John W. Watson, vice president for academic affairs from 2008-14, was granted a change in assignment by the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees so that he could return to full-time teaching at the university. Watson serves in the role of distinguished professor of mathematics.

All three vice president for academic affairs finalists will visit Arkansas Tech to meet with faculty, staff and students during late November and early December. More details about dates, times and locations for public events will be announced in the days to come.

Visit www.atu.edu/vpaafinalists2015.php for more information.