Gary Compton, who plans to retire June 30 as superintendent of the Bentonville School District, has been appointed executive-in-residence in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas.

Compton said he would like to work on various initiatives in K-12 education that he has discussed with Tom Smith, dean of the college.

"The university experienced a significant enrollment increase this year and expects to have increased enrollment again next year, so I am hopeful I will do some teaching," Compton said. "I started my career in education 40 years ago as a high school teacher so I have come full circle. I'm very excited to have this opportunity to work with the university and with the faculty and staff in the College of Education and Health Professions."

Others who have held the executive-in-residence position in the college are Les Carnine, former superintendent of the Little Rock Public Schools, and David Williams, former chief executive officer of Ozark Guidance in Springdale.

"Dr. Compton has been a very progressive school leader," Smith said. "He tries new ideas and is energetic. We look forward to his contributions to the college and our partnership with the K-12 educational system of Arkansas."

Compton will work with the college's educational leadership faculty. The college offers three graduate degrees in educational leadership.

"Being so recently removed from the K-12 education system, I hope to have different extensions into that world," he said. "The Arkansas Legislature has higher education under its microscope now. K-12 has been there for years so I hope I can bring some insight there as well."

Compton is interested in initiatives to recruit a more diverse teaching corps.

"The university and the major companies in our area have done a great job in recruiting a diverse work force," he said, "and I think our K-12 classrooms would benefit from having a work force that more accurately mirrors the students."

Compton was recently appointed to the education committee of the Northwest Arkansas Council, a nonprofit group of regional business and civic leaders.

Compton was hired as superintendent by the Bentonville district in January 2001. A native of Detroit, he earned degrees from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University.