Dr. Lonnie Williams appointed assoc. vice chancellor for student affairs
downloadable photo, Dr. Lonnie Williams]

An Arkansas native with extensive experience in student affairs administration will be the new associate vice chancellor for student affairs at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Dr. Lonnie R. Williams of Fayetteville was introduced today at the ASU Board of Trustees meeting, where his appointment to the position was confirmed.  He will officially begin his duties April 16 according to Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor for student affairs.

Dr. Williams currently serves in a similar capacity as assistant vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Arkansas.  A native of Stephens, in Ouachita County, Williams has worked in higher education for 26 years, the last 22 of which have been in student affairs.

Dr. Stripling emphasized that ASU will benefit from Williams’s experience in working with students, faculty and staff.

“Lonnie Williams is highly respected in the student affairs profession throughout the state, and he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with him,” Stripling said.  “As associate vice chancellor, he will be involved in all of the day to day operations of the 13 departments which comprise our Division of Student Affairs.  He also will give special attention to our diversity initiatives, and he is a strong community leader who has exemplified those skills.”

As assistant vice chancellor of student affairs at UAF, his duties have included supervision of as many as 10 departments and other administrative roles.  Prior to his current position, he became assistant vice chancellor of student services in 1991.  Earlier in his career he has served as assistant dean of students, coordinator of minority affairs, and night manager of the Student Union.

 “I have a genuine desire, commitment and enthusiasm for impacting students’ lives,” Williams said, in accepting in the position at ASU.  “I look forward to moving to Jonesboro and becoming associated with a fine institution like Arkansas State University.”

            Williams earned all four of his degrees at UAF.  His bachelor’s degree is in business administration, and his master’s is in education.  He earned a specialist degree in higher education administration, then his doctoral degree in adult education.

            He also has directed and served as grant administrator of the Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) program for five years, administrator of the USDA food grants program that supports YOU, and several scholarship programs.

            Active in professional and civic affairs, his achievements include election as president of the Arkansas College Personnel Association in 1999.  The UA Black Student Association created the Lonnie R. Williams Bridging Excellence award in 2001 to honor his leadership and dedication to multiculturalism on the UA campus.

            He and his wife, Mary, are the parents of seven children and eight grandchildren.

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