Office of the Provost

The Dean B. Ellis Library peeks out from a beautiful line of fall foliage on campus.
The Office of the Provost is dedicated to fostering academic excellence through teaching, research, creative activities and service. Our mission is to support the campus community in generating knowledge that advances discovery, enriches learning and equips students for meaningful careers, lifelong inquiry and responsible global citizenship.

Strategic Priorities

At Arkansas State, our mission must always align with action. These strategic priorities demonstrate our commitment to excellence, access and meaningful transformation across our university and the communities we serve.
Dr. Robert Shields receives a $1.7 million grant for his research at A-State

Research

As a Carnegie-designated research university, we are committed to discovering new knowledge, supporting faculty and student scholarship, and developing solutions to real-world challenges.

From the biosciences and agriculture to education, public policy and the humanities, research at A-State is making an impact. Through innovation, collaboration and hands-on discovery, our faculty and students are advancing ideas that improve lives, strengthen communities and help shape the future.

A student attends New Student Orientation at A-State

Recruitment

At Arkansas State, recruitment is about helping students discover a place where they can learn, grow and succeed. We work to connect prospective students and their families with the opportunities, support and experiences that make A-State a destination for higher education.

Through initiatives like the A-State Promise Plus Scholarship and a commitment to affordability and student success, we are expanding access to higher education and reinforcing our mission to educate the people of Arkansas.

 

Provost Will McLean congratulates a graduate at a recent commencement ceremony.

Retention

Student success doesn't end with enrollment. At Arkansas State, we are committed to helping students stay on track, overcome challenges and reach graduation. That means providing the resources, guidance and support they need throughout their college journey.

From academic advising and student success initiatives to wellness resources and personalized support, we are creating an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive and earn a degree.

Inspiring Minds, Shaping Futures Faculty Resources

The faculty are the enduring heart and soul of a university.  Explore these faculty resources, including guidance on promotion, tenure, and retention, access to the faculty handbook, and information about faculty professional development. 
Faculty member places doctoral hood on graduate during A-State summer commencement ceremony on a dark stage.Faculty member poses with graduate student in front of research presentation.
Faculty member in lab coat uses a microscope for research in a science lab with equipment and supplies in the background.

Find Us in the Knowledge Base

The A-State Knowledge Base is a campus-wide resource with specific information for users to find tutorials on internal processes.

Academic Areas

Learn more about A‑State’s academic structure, including our colleges and the units that support our mission of excellence in teaching, research and service.
Front view of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building framed by trees on a clear summer day.

The academic colleges serve as the primary engine for the intellectual development of Arkansas State’s student body. With more than 16,500 students enrolled across a diverse array of disciplines, the university remains firmly committed to fostering rigorous scholarship, critical inquiry, and academic excellence at every level. 

 

Sunlight shining through glass panels of a rooftop greenhouse on a modern campus building.

Academic Initiatives & Resources

These units advance A-State's academic mission by supporting research, teaching, institutional effectiveness, and providing access to knowledge. Combined, they enrich the educational experience and expand the university’s impact across campus and beyond.

Arkansas Biosciences Institute | Accreditation & Assessment | Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning |  Heritage Sites | Institutional Research | Museum | Research

Leadership Team

William McLean
Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
(870) 972-2030
Chris Boothman
Vice Chancellor for Distance Education & Technology
Chief Information Officer
(870) 680-4830
Fen Yu
Vice Chancellor for Institutional Effectiveness, Innovation and Strategy
(870) 972-3154
Travis Marsico
Vice Provost for Research, Innovation and Discovery
Executive Director of the Arkansas Biosciences Institute
(870) 972-2694
Melanie Wicinski
Associate Vice Chancellor for Accreditation and Assessment
(870) 680-4311
Christopher Brown's 2025 headshot for A-State
Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Operations and Scheduling
(870) 972-2634
Kathy Hicks
Associate Vice Provost for Budget & Planning
(870) 972-2030
Tiffany Keb
Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Policy & Procedure
(870) 972-2030
Cary Nelson
Assistant Vice Provost for Budget & Planning
(870) 972-2030
Madeline Ragland
Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Student Services
(870) 972-2030
Alyssa Wells
Executive Assistant to the Provost
(870) 972-2030
View All Faculty & Staff
Questions?

Contact Our Team

We’re here to help you find your place and succeed. Reach out to us for help.