News Article

Three Candidates Chosen for Henderson State Chancellor Interviews

10/17/2021

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Arkansas State University System President Dr. Charles L. Welch announced today that three candidates will interview on campus for the position of chancellor at Henderson State University.

The candidates are Dr. Charles Ambrose, former president of the University of Central Missouri; Dr. Jay Gatrell, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Eastern Illinois University; and Dr. Alberto Ruiz, former vice president for academic affairs at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. On-campus interviews will be conducted Oct. 24-27.

Invitations to formally interview on campus were extended after recent meetings Welch conducted with the Chancellor Search Advisory Committee. The advisory committee, consisting of 14 members representing faculty, staff, students, and community representatives, reviewed 46 applications for the position. 

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Dr. Charles Ambrose

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Dr. Jay Gatrell

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Dr. Alberto Ruiz

“I am pleased with the progress of the search, as well as the quality of the applicant pool we had for this position,” Welch said. “I appreciate the efforts of our advisory committee through this process and look forward to the upcoming interviews and feedback from Henderson constituencies. The level of interest in this position is a testament to the strength and reputation of the campus, as well as the opportunities ahead for this institution.”

The candidates will meet with the advisory committee, faculty, staff, and students during scheduled interview sessions. The faculty and staff forums will be available by live stream.

Individuals attending the interview sessions will have an opportunity to submit feedback regarding each candidate to the advisory committee.  Following the final interview, the advisory committee will meet to discuss the candidates and provide feedback to Welch. 

Welch said he hopes to appoint a new chancellor before the end of the calendar year. The position and related information are posted on the Henderson website at https://www.hsu.edu/pages/about/administration/chancellor-search-advisory-committee/. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.

Henderson State University is a comprehensive institution of higher education serving the State of Arkansas, particularly the south Arkansas region, and portions of surrounding states with fall 2021 enrollment of 3,342 students. More information about Henderson can be found at https://www.hsu.edu.

The Arkansas State University System, based in Little Rock, serves almost 38,000 students annually on campuses in Arkansas and Queretaro, Mexico, and globally online with an annual budget of $353 million. The ASU System includes Arkansas State University, a four-year Carnegie R2 research institution in Jonesboro with degree centers at ASU-Beebe, ASU-Mountain Home and ASU Mid-South in West Memphis. Arkansas State University Campus Queretaro opened in September 2017. The system's two-year college institutions include ASU-Beebe, with additional campuses in Heber Springs and Searcy and an instructional site at Little Rock Air Force Base; ASU-Newport, with additional campuses in Jonesboro and Marked Tree; ASU-Mountain Home; ASU Mid-South in West Memphis; and ASU Three Rivers (formerly College of the Ouachitas) in Malvern. Henderson State University became the system's second four-year institution member on Feb. 1 under Act 18 of 2021.

FINALISTS BIOS

Dr. Charles Ambrose

Dr. Ambrose most recently served as president and CEO of KnowledgeWorks, a national foundation committed to creating the future of learning. He previously served as president of the University of Central Missouri from 2010-2018 and president of Pfeiffer University in North Carolina from 1998-2010.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology at Furman University, a Master of Arts degree in higher education administration at the University of Louisville, and a Doctor of Education in higher education administration at the University of Georgia.

Dr. Jay Gatrell

Dr. Gatrell has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Eastern Illinois University since 2017. He was vice provost at Bellarmine University in Kentucky from 2014-2017.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science at Eastern Michigan University, a Master of Arts degree in geography at The University of Toledo, and a Doctor of Philosophy in geography at West Virginia University.

Dr. Alberto Ruiz

Dr. Ruiz served as vice president for academic affairs at the University of Louisiana at Monroe from 2019-2021. He was dean of Texas A&M University-Kingsville from 2009-2019.

He received a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, a Master of Science in kinesiology at Texas A&M-Kingsville, and a Doctor of Education in physical education at the University of Houston.

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE

Dr. Jay Gatrell

Sunday, 10/24

4:00 p.m.       Community Tour

5:30 p.m.       Campus/Community Reception

7:00 p.m.       Executive Council Dinner

Monday, 10/25

8:00 a.m.       Breakfast with Academic Deans

9:00 a.m.       Campus Tour

10:30 a.m.     Staff Forum

12:00 p.m.     Lunch with Student Leaders

2:00 p.m.       Chancellor Search Advisory Committee Interview

3:30 p.m.       Faculty Forum

 

Dr. Charles Ambrose

Monday, 10/25

4:00 p.m.        Community Tour

5:30 p.m.        Campus/Community Reception

7:00 p.m.        Executive Council Dinner

Tuesday, 10/26

8:00 a.m.        Breakfast with Academic Deans

9:00 a.m.        Campus Tour

10:30 a.m.     Staff Forum

12:15 p.m.     Faculty Forum

1:30 p.m.        Lunch with Student Leaders

3:00 p.m.        Chancellor Search Advisory Committee Interview

 

Dr. Alberto Ruiz

Tuesday, 10/26

4:00 p.m.        Community Tour

5:30 p.m.        Campus/Community Reception

7:00 p.m.        Executive Council Dinner

Wednesday, 10/27

8:00 a.m.        Breakfast with Academic Deans

9:00 a.m.        Campus Tour

10:30 a.m.     Staff Forum

12:00 p.m.     Lunch with Student Leaders

1:15 p.m.        Chancellor Search Advisory Committee Interview

3:00 p.m.        Faculty Forum

Media Inquiries

Media inquiries and interview requests or requests for documents subject to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act should be sent to Jeff Hankins, Vice President of Strategic Communications, at jhankins@asusystem.edu.

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