South Arkansas College announces 3 finalists for its next president
The South Arkansas College Board is pleased to announce that its current search for a new president has resulted in three finalists, chosen from among 22 applicants. The finalists will be on campus April 9, 10, and 11, for a final round of interviews. There will be an open forum for anyone interested in attending from 3:30-5:00 p.m. each of those days in the Mahony Family Library on campus.
The finalists include Dr. Tyrone Jackson, current president of Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead, Mississippi; Dr. Ted Lewis, current president and provost of Bluefield State University-Beckley in Beckley, WV; and Dr. Stephanie Tully-Dartez, interim president of South Arkansas College.
With an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from Delta State University, Dr. Tyrone Jackson currently serves as president of Mississippi Delta Community College (2019-present). Prior to that position, he served in a variety of administrative roles at the following colleges in Mississippi: Hinds Community College in Raymond (2013-2019), Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston (2008-2013), and Delta State University in Cleveland (1994-2008).
With a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Community College Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Ted Lewis has served as president of Bluefield State University-Beckley in West Virginia since 2018. His prior positions include Vice President of Academic Affairs at Pellissippi Community College in Knoxville, TN (2012-2018); (Founding) Dean of Instruction at Lone Star College-CyFair in Cypress, TX (2003-2012); and Professor and Department
Chair at Collin County Community College in Frisco, TX, (1990-2003).
Dr. Stephanie Tully-Dartez, who earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University, has served as the Interim President of South Arkansas College since August 2023; Vice President for Academic Affairs since April 2021; Interim Vice President for Student Affairs from September 2022 – June 2023; Associate Vice President for Institutional Planning and Academic Support from July 2019 – April 2021; Associate Vice President for Planning and Career Education from July 2018—July 2019; Associate Vice President for Workforce and Career Education from July 2017 (Interim until February 2018)– June 2018; Chief Institutional Effectiveness and Advancement Officer from July 2013 – July 2017; Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness from September 2009 – June 2013; and National Science Foundation GK12 Grant Fellow at Louisiana Tech from 2007-2009.
Board Chair Steve Cousins stated that the Board plans to announce the new president by mid-May. The finalist selections resulted from a three-month long process conducted by a Search Committee made up of board members, faculty, staff, and community leaders.