College president to exit

LITTLE ROCK — The president of the College of the Ouachitas says he will leave the post at the end of the year, according to a news release.

Stephen Schoonmaker, 56, said in a statement family changes, including the impending birth of his first grandchild, led to his decision. He will seek professional opportunities that will allow him to visit his family in the Pacific Northwest.

“I am grateful to the College’s Board of Trustees for their support of my decision and for graciously allowing me to negotiate a half-year contract,” Schoonmaker said in a statement. “This will enable me to be more available to my grown children and actively assume my new role as Grandpa!”

Schoonmaker has led the Malvern-based community college for four years and has served on the executive council of the Presidents Council, made up of state higher-education leaders. He will lead the search for a new president of the 1,444-student campus.