The University of Central Arkansas recently announced that Michael Hargis will be the next provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs.
In this role, Hargis will preside over UCA's five academic colleges -- College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; College of Business, College of Education, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics -- the Schedler Honors College, Graduate School and the broader academic division. He begins on July 1, 2024.
"I am thrilled and deeply honored to be selected to serve as the next provost and executive vice president at UCA. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with the dedicated faculty, staff, students, and executive team at UCA to advance our mission. I also want to thank the search committee and everyone who participated in the search process. The energy and excitement on the campus is palpable, and I am excited to get to work," Hargis said.
Hargis earned a bachelor's in psychology from Hendrix College. He earned a master's and Doctor of Philosophy in industrial-organizational psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Prior to joining UCA, Hargis was an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has been at UCA since 2006 starting as an assistant professor in the College of Business (COB). At the rank of professor, Hargis currently serves as dean of the COB, a role he began in 2014. He also has served as interim dean of the COB and interim provost and executive vice president.
"Dr. Hargis has been a distinguished leader in Arkansas higher education for almost two decades, and under his leadership, UCA will accelerate our momentum and reach new heights," said UCA President Houston Davis. "He will also guide strategic planning and develop a strategic direction that supports our university's mission, advocates for student success and builds upon our strengths."
Hargis is a current member of the Conway Development Corporation and the Arkansas Governor's Council of Economic Advisors. He previously served as a member of the Arnold Innovation Center Planning Committee, the Conductor Steering Committee and Start-up Conway Steering Committee. Hargis is an active Peer Review Team leader and mentor with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Hargis succeeds Patricia Poulter who retires as provost and executive vice president in June.