A committee has been searching for a person to fill the position since October.
University of Arkansas System President Donald Bobbitt is recommending Christine Holt, D.B.A., J.D., as the next chancellor at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana. Holt, who currently serves as chief of staff for the University of Missouri System, is expected to begin her new role by Sept. 1, according to a press release.
“I always speak of the significance of not only finding quality candidates, but also finding the right person at the right time to lead our campuses. Dr. Holt is indeed the right person at the right time, and I’m excited about the future for UAHT and the community and region that it serves,” Bobbitt said.
Bobbitt’s recommendation is subject to final approval by the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas at its next meeting May 26-27.
Holt has previously served as associate provost at the University of Missouri at Columbia, dean of academic administration at Northern Virginia Community College, executive director at Catawba Valley Community College and attorney-at-law.
She earned a Doctorate in Business Administration at the University of Missouri at St. Louis and also holds a Juris Doctorate from Cleveland State University, a Master of Arts in Adult Education from East Carolina University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Capital University.
“I quickly learned during this process that many of the things I am passionate about — connecting with students, providing opportunities and ensuring that hard work is rewarded in the workforce — are all aligned with the existing mission of this college,” Holt said. “I am grateful for the hospitality and consideration the search committee and the campus community have shown me, and certainly honored that Dr. Bobbitt is entrusting me with the wonderful opportunity to lead UAHT into the future. I can’t wait to get started.”
A search committee formed by Bobbitt began the process to find a permanent chancellor in October 2020, and finalists for the position were announced Mar. 31. Laura Clark, vice chancellor for academic affairs at UAHT, has been leading the campus as its interim chancellor since June 2020.
“I want to thank Ms. Clark for her willingness to take on the challenge of the interim chancellor role and for stepping in and doing a wonderful job during this process,” Bobbitt said. “We’re grateful to the steadfast leadership she provided during the last year which not only provided stability on campus, but also allowed for a thorough and successful search to be completed.”