Kathy Loyd to Serve as Interim Dean, College of Business
JONESBORO – Dr. Kathy White Loyd is appointed as the interim dean of the College of Business at Arkansas State University, Provost Lynita Cooksey announced today.
Serving as the executive director of the Arkansas State University Women’s Business Leadership Center, Loyd agreed to accept the leadership position of the college in addition to her duties with the center.
“The innovation and leadership that Dr. Loyd has brought to Arkansas State made her a natural choice,” Cooksey said. “Her passion for the center and Arkansas State is obvious, and during our transition period to a new chancellor she will bring us a fresh perspective.”
An alumna and long-time supporter of A-State, Loyd brings a diverse background of academic achievement and business executive leadership to the dean’s office.
“It is an honor to be asked to provide leadership to the College of Business,” Loyd said. “This University offered me an opportunity to return to college as a non-traditional student and provided a pathway for my future success. I have been fortunate to be able to work with the faculty in a number of roles throughout my career, and continue to be impressed with their willingness to work with businesses to provide the very best opportunities possible for our students.”
A contributor in the field of information technology and economic development, her ties to the Jonesboro region include being a founding partner of Rural Sourcing, a programming company located downtown. She currently serves on the board of directors for Mattel, Inc., (MAT) and is retired from Cardinal Health, Inc., (CAH) as executive vice-president and chief information officer.
Prior to her business career, she was a tenured associate professor of information technology at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
“I look forward to working with the faculty and administration to further provide pathways for our student retention and their success, strengthening our business collaborations,” Loyd said.
Loyd is replacing Shane Hunt who announced his decision to step down from the dean’s office and return to the classroom earlier in the semester. Loyd’s appointment becomes effective July 1 to coincide with Hunt’s announced departure date.
“I am excited with the selection of Kathy to take over as our interim dean,” Hunt said. “She is an extraordinary leader and entrepreneur, and I have seen first-hand the positive impact her work has had on our students and community. I’m looking forward to working with her.”
Along with his return to teaching, Hunt has been named as the inaugural Robert M. “Bob” Wood Endowed Professor of Sales.
“In recognition of Shane’s work to expand opportunities for students through scholarship gifts and his commitment to building areas like the Wood Sales Leadership Program, it is only fitting that he become our first named professor for this area of the marketing program,” Cooksey said.
Both the professorship and center were made possible by the $1 million gift from the Wood family in 2015. A longtime member of the Jonesboro business community, Bob Wood was one of the region’s leading real estate developers.
“I am so proud to be named the R.M. “Bob” Wood Endowed Professor of Sales Leadership,” Hunt said. “This appointment means a great deal to me, and I am very thankful to the Wood family and Arkansas State University for this honor. I look forward to great things ahead for our students, college and university.”
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