ASU System Board of Trustees Accepts Welch Resignation, Approves Initial Search Process Plans for Successor
11/15/2023
LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees today accepted the resignation of System President Chuck Welch and discussed plans to search for his successor.
At a special meeting by videoconference, the board agreed to serve as its own search committee and chose Trustee Price Gardner of Little Rock as chair of the search. The board also asked Welch to assist in development of a new job description, seek input from constituencies regarding the job description and present recommendations for a national search firm at the Dec. 8 regular board meeting.
Welch announced Tuesday that he would resign after 12 years as president of the system and become president and chief executive officer of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities effective Jan. 15, 2024. Welch was named the second president of the ASU System in November 2010 and officially began the position in April 2011. He will leave as the longest-tenured higher education president or chancellor in Arkansas.
Following an executive session, the board formally voted to accept Welch's Nov. 10 resignation letter and waive his contract's 120-day resignation notice requirement.
The board anticipates selecting a search firm, paid by private funds, at the December meeting.
Welch said the board serving as its own search committee is a "viable option consistent with similar searches for a system head." He added that use of a search firm would assist the board with logistics of the process.
The position likely will not be advertised until after Jan. 1, Welch added.
