Arkansas State University System President Chuck Welch said he is hoping to fill the chancellor's post at the Jonesboro campus with a long-term interim leader within the next 30 days.
For the time being, Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is set to begin a new school year with Lynita Cooksey, the school's provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and research, at its helm. She was appointed to fill the role temporarily earlier this month after former chancellor Tim Hudson resigned after two audit reports.
The audits reported that Hudson and his wife, Deidra, used their positions to secure special privileges and had conflicts of interest with a third-party vendor with which the university was working. The audits also showed that the study-abroad program, run by Deidra Hudson, was poorly managed.
On Friday, Welch said he had some preliminary conversations with potential candidates for the long-term interim position but had not made an offer.
The long-term interim likely will be someone who has served as a president or chancellor before, he has said. That person will help with the healing process and help clear up any lingering concerns or discussions before a permanent chancellor steps in, he said. That person also could help him learn what the campus community wants in a permanent chancellor, he added.
Welch said he anticipates starting a search for a permanent chancellor later this year.
Metro on 08/22/2016