Jennifer Methvin has been named chancellor of Arkansas State University, Beebe, according to a statement released Friday by Arkansas State University System President Charles L. Welch.
Methvin previously spent 23 years in Arkansas higher education and returns to Arkansas after spending the past four years as president of Crowder College, a public two-year institution in Neosho, Mo., that has 5,580 students in a nine-county service area with an annual budget of $46 million.
She will begin her duties July 1.
"ASU-Beebe's long and rich history of providing quality educational programs sets the standard for Arkansas comprehensive community colleges," Methvin said in the statement. "I am encouraged by the opportunities I see ahead, impressed with the dedication of the faculty and staff, inspired by the students I met at each campus, and exceptionally humbled to rejoin the institution where I taught my first community college course as an adjunct faculty member."
Methvin began her higher education career as an adjunct instructor at ASU-Beebe before being hired as assistant professor of English at the Newport campus of ASU-Beebe in 1993. She served from 2005-2014 as vice chancellor for academics at University of Arkansas Community College at Hope.
"Her vast community college experience -- from faculty member to CEO -- makes her an ideal choice," Welch said. "I appreciate her willingness to return to Arkansas and lead the state's third-largest two-year institution."
Methvin was chosen from a group of 63 applicants by a 14-member advisory committee made up of faculty, staff, students and community members.
She received a bachelor of fine arts degree in creative writing and English at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, a master of arts in creative writing and English at Oklahoma State University, and a doctor of philosophy in community college leadership at Walden University.
State Desk on 04/22/2018