Jill Simons to Serve as AVC for Retention and Completion

JONESBORO – Dr. Jill Simons moved into a new role for Arkansas State University as the associate vice chancellor for retention and completion, A-State Provost Lynita Cooksey announced this week.

Simons was previously assistant vice chancellor for undergraduate studies in the university’s Division of Academic Affairs.

“With the chancellor’s new initiative to increase our student retention rates, Dr. Simons was the perfect choice to head up the new commission,” Cooksey said.  “She was our leader in many areas that are components of this initiative, and by promoting her to become our designated campus point person we can keep a continued focus on student success.”

Simons is an Apple Distinguished Educator, and was one of the leaders of the iPad Initiative, which twice earned Apple Distinguished Program status.

As the associate vice chancellor for retention and completion, Simons continues as the leader for the undergraduate studies program area, which includes concurrent high school enrollment, transition studies, the campus Early Alert system, the First-Year Experience program, the Honors College, the Learning Commons, Student Support Services and the Wilson Advising Center.

She will chair the upcoming Chancellor’s Commission on Completion, a campus-wide initiative of Chancellor Kelly Damphousse to increase the overall retention of A-State students and raising the graduation rate.

In the new role, Simons will handle student academic concerns, review academic policies related to student completion and serve as the liaison for student programming for the provost.  Her position reports to the provost and works collaboratively with the senior associate vice chancellor and deans.

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