The provost of Pulaski Technical College resigned Thursday afternoon, a spokesman for the school said.
Michael DeLong, who also was the college's executive vice president, held the position since April 2012. According to an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article in April, his annual salary was $118,450.
Pulaski Tech spokesman Tracy Courage said President Margaret Ellibee notified faculty and staff of the resignation in an email.
Courage said she did not know the reason for DeLong's departure or his plans.
Ellibee appointed Mike McMillan as interim provost and said she expects to open the position to applicants during the spring semester. McMillan is currently the school's dean of business and information technology.
In the email, Ellibee wrote that DeLong "tendered his resignation, effective immediately."
"He expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of those he has worked with at [Pulaski Technical College], but felt the need to pursue opportunities that continue to support his career goals," she wrote.
"We appreciate Dr. DeLong's hard work and I wish him the best in his career," she added.
In a brief interview Thursday night, Ellibee said, "I know Mike is looking at new career opportunities."
Ellibee declined to say whether any controversy led to the resignation or whether DeLong was asked to resign.
"It's a personnel matter," she said. "I can't speak to that, but what I can say is, I certainly appreciate his service to the college. ... I know he will be successful in the future."
There is no phone listing in the Little Rock area's directory assistance for a Mike or Michael DeLong.
At Pulaski Tech, DeLong had been reviewing all of the college's programs to determine which should be scrapped or redone.
The two-year college, based in North Little Rock, has an enrollment of 6,576, according to its website. That sum compares with 11,946 students in 2011.
DeLong previously was vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Ozarka College in Melbourne. Before that, he worked at Oklahoma State University. He is retired from the U.S. Air Force.
Pulaski Tech offers associate degrees and certificate programs for students who in some cases plan to transfer to four-year colleges.
The school's board of trustees voted unanimously in May to join the University of Arkansas System. UA System trustees unanimously approved the move later that month.
Merging of schools has gained traction nationwide as states' higher-education funding has declined. Legislators and educators see it as a way to reduce administrative costs and redirect those savings to where they are most needed.
Information for this article was contributed by Aziza Musa of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
State Desk on 12/16/2016