Dr. Jennifer Methvin Appointed Chancellor of Arkansas State University-Beebe
BEEBE, Ark. – Arkansas State University System President Dr. Charles L. Welch today announced the selection of Dr. Jennifer Methvin, who previously spent 23 years in Arkansas higher education, as the next chancellor of ASU-Beebe. Methvin returns home to Arkansas after spending the last four years as president of Crowder College in Neosho, Mo., and will begin her duties effective July 1, 2018. From 2005-2014, she served as vice chancellor for academics at University of Arkansas Community College at Hope, where Welch was chancellor from 2005-2008. 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.
“I hired Dr. Methvin on my executive team at Hope and worked with her closely, so I am well aware of the talent and experience she will bring to us at ASU-Beebe,” Welch said. “Her vast community college experience – from faculty member to CEO – makes her an ideal choice. I appreciate her willingness to return to Arkansas and lead the state’s third-largest two-year institution.”
At Crowder College, Methvin oversaw a public two-year institution with many similarities to ASUBeebe. Both institutions have campuses in multiple cities and offer on-campus housing. Crowder has 5,580 students in a nine-county service area with an annual budget of $46 million.
“I am honored to be invited to serve as the next chancellor of Arkansas State UniversityBeebe. ASU-Beebe’s long and rich history of providing quality educational programs sets the standard for Arkansas comprehensive community colleges,” Methvin said. “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.”
A 14-member Chancellor Search Advisory Committee – with members representing faculty, staff, students and the community – reviewed 63 applications for the position.
“I appreciate the committee’s exceptional counsel and assistance during the process,” Welch said. “I also want to thank Roger Moore for doing an outstanding job as interim chancellor during the past year. I’m very grateful for his leadership, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as he returns to his role as vice chancellor for finance and administration.”
Prior to her work at UACC in hope, Methvin served in various roles – including Division Chair of Arts and Sciences – at University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville from 1999- 2005. She was assistant professor of English at ASU-Newport from 1993-1999.
She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in creative writing and English at Arkansas Tech University, 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.
ASU-Beebe has an average enrollment of more than 4,500 students and is an operationally separate two-year institution of the ASU System with additional campuses in Heber Springs, Searcy and the Little Rock Air Force Base, as well as online programs. The university offers associate degrees, certificates, and non-credit training for business and industry. The Beebe campus also collaborates with Arkansas State University, a four-year research university in Jonesboro, to offer baccalaureate and graduate degrees.
The ASU System serves 23,300 students throughout Arkansas and also includes Arkansas State University, a four-year research institution in Jonesboro with an additional campus in Queretaro, Mexico, and an instruction site in Paragould; ASU-Newport, with additional campuses in Jonesboro and Marked Tree; ASU-Mountain Home; and ASU Mid-South in West Memphis.
