Less than two weeks after University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson announced his resignation, his acting replacement will now serve officially in that role.
The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas System on Thursday unanimously accepted system President Donald Bobbitt's recommendation to name Christina Drale to the position. Drale had been named acting chancellor following Rogerson's resignation on Sept. 1.
In a news release, Drale thanked Bobbitt for the appointment.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to bring the campus and the community together and work with our students, faculty, staff and alumni to move UA Little Rock forward in the most efficient and effective ways possible," Drale said.
Drale has served as interim executive vice chancellor and provost at UA Little Rock since last October. She holds doctorate and master’s degrees in sociology, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in communications all from the University of California, San Diego.
Bobbitt said Drale will be well-suited to leading the institution.
"Dr. Drale is widely respected on campus and is equipped with the necessary skillset to guide UA Little Rock through the challenges it currently faces and help solidify its unique standing as a comprehensive metropolitan university serving our Capital City and the entire state," Bobbitt said.
Rogerson resigned as chancellor following three years in the role, which saw UA Little Rock undergo budget cuts and drops in enrollment. He will serve as a tenured professor until Aug. 2020 when he will retire from the school.
Drale will enter into a two-year employment agreement with the UA System which is expected to be finalized within the coming days.
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