FAYETTEVILLE -- A vice chancellor overseeing diversity and community programs will take over in an interim role as the top student-affairs officer at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, the university announced Thursday.
Charles Robinson will begin July 24 as interim vice provost for student affairs, taking over for Danny Pugh while UA conducts a national search for Pugh's permanent replacement.
Pugh is leaving UA after 10 years to become vice president for student affairs at Texas A&M University.
Robinson, who joined UA as a faculty member in 1999 and at one time directed UA's African and African-American Studies program, was appointed by Ashok Saxena, UA's new provost.
"I am honored that Provost Saxena asked me to take on this important role," Robinson said in a statement released by UA. "At the University of Arkansas we put students first, and that means the division of student affairs is central to our mission."
The appointment comes at a time of transition at UA, with an ongoing search to replace UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart, the top campus leader who is retiring at the end of July. Saxena replaces Sharon Gaber, set to start July 1 as president of the University of Toledo. The new chancellor will be free to appoint a new provost.
In addition to his new role, Robinson will continue as vice chancellor for diversity and community, a position he's held since 2013. At the time of his appointment, UA described his job as involving the recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff members from underrepresented groups.
Before that, he did similar work under the title of vice provost for diversity affairs.
His new salary for both positions will be $232,000. In his current role, Robinson earns $209,100.
Pugh earns $197,498 annually at UA and will make $292,000 at Texas A&M University.
Metro on 06/26/2015