New Administrative Appointments announced in Academic Affairs and Research
New administrative assignments in the division of Academic Affairs and Research were announced today by Dr. Lynita Cooksey, interim vice chancellor and provost.
“We are delighted that Dr. Gina Hogue, Dr. Jill Simons, Melissa Jackson, Dr. Don Kennedy, Jeff Bailey and Dr. Larry Salinger have accepted new assignments where each person’s ability and background will best serve Arkansas State University,” Dr. Cooksey said. “These individuals have a lengthy association with ASU, evidence of their professional accomplishments and dedication to the university’s continuing success. Also, Vallary Bingham has been appointed coordinator of the Center for Learning Support Services.”
Dr. Gina Hogue is now interim associate vice chancellor for academic services. Previously chair and associate professor in the Department of History, Dr. Hogue has been a member of the ASU faculty since 1990. She completed her doctoral degree in history at the University of Memphis and her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social sciences at ASU. Dr. Pam Hronek will assume interim leadership of the Department of History.
In her new role, Dr. Hogue will have oversight of several areas in Academic Affairs that directly impact curriculum and student success. Her teaching specialties are social science education and U.S. foreign relations and her research interests include the use of technology in teaching and in enhancing historical thinking skills.
She succeeds Dr. Cooksey, who plans to return to this position after the university names a permanent appointment to the role of vice chancellor and provost. A national search is expected to begin during the fall semester.
Dr. Jill Simons has been promoted to executive director of University College. Dr. Simons has held progressively responsible positions in University College since joining the ASU staff in 1997. She recently completed her doctoral degree in educational leadership at ASU. Previously, she earned a specialist in community college teaching degree at ASU, a master’s in fine arts at the University of Arkansas, and a master’s degree in human development at the University of Rhode Island.
She also succeeds Dr. Cooksey, who has been serving simultaneously as dean of University College.
Melissa Jackson is the new director of advising services in University College, succeeding Simons, who previously held that position. Jackson joined the ASU staff in 2006, and has been serving as director of the Wilson Advising Center. She completed a specialist degree in community college teaching at ASU, a master’s degree in speech communication and theater, and a bachelor’s degree in speech communication, all at ASU.
Currently she also serves as president of the Arkansas Academic Advising Network and co-chair of the Academic Advising Council on Excellence at ASU.
Dr. Donald (Bud) Kennedy, professor of animal science, is interim dean of the College of Agriculture. Kennedy joined the faculty in 1993, and most recently served as associate dean. Dr. Kennedy completed his doctoral degree from Louisiana State University and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Sam Houston State University.
Jeff Bailey is now director of the Dean B. Ellis Library, where he has been a librarian since 1992. He has been circulation librarian, collection development librarian, assistant director for public services, and most recently interim dean. He is a past chair of the Faculty Senate and a former president of the ARKLink Library Consortium.
Bailey completed his master’s degree in library science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree in dual majors of history and geography from Morehead State University.
Dr. Larry Salinger, associate professor of sociology, is interim chair of the Department of Criminology, Sociology and Geography. Dr. Salinger, who came to ASU in 1990, completed his doctorate at Washington State University-Pullman, his master’s at Indiana University, and his bachelor’s at University of California-Irvine.
New to administration is Vallary Bingham, coordinator of the Center for Learning Support Services, which provides tutoring, supplemental instruction and other learning-focused services. Bingham holds a master’s degree in college student personnel from ASU and currently is pursuing a specialist degree in community college administration.
New faculty orientation activities take place Monday and Tuesday, followed by the annual Faculty Conference Wednesday morning in Centennial Hall of the Carl R. Reng Student Union.
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