A former state representative who now serves as the senior associate director for academic affairs at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education has been named the agency's next interim leader while a search for a permanent replacement is found.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Friday that Ann Clemmer will serve as interim director when Brett Powell steps down as Higher Education director later this month to become the vice president for finance and administration at Henderson State University.
Clemmer has been with the department since 2015. She previously served as a faculty member at UALR and as a program director at Arkansas Northeastern College.
Clemmer, of Benton, served in the Arkansas House from 2009 to 2013.
"With her 30 years of experience in higher education, I am confident that Ann is well equipped to lead the department forward during this time of transition," Hutchinson said in a statement. "I look forward to working with Ann and the future director to ensure that our state higher education institutions have the leadership and expertise they need to effectively fill the needs of the state.”
A nationwide search is planned to find the next director.
Powell's resignation is effective July 29.
Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.