Three Academic Leaders Taking Part in Development Program

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Two University of Arkansas associate deans and one department chair have been chosen to take part in the academic leadership program sponsored by the Southeastern Conference Academic Consortium. Mark Boyer, chair of landscape architecture in the Fay Jones School of Architecture; Javier Reyes, associate dean for undergraduate studies in the Sam M. Walton College of Business; and Lona Robertson, associate dean in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, have been named the university’s 2010-11 SECAC Academic Leadership Development Program Fellows. Kathy Van Laningham, vice provost for planning, will continue to serve as the University of Arkansas campus liaison to program.

The program, in its fourth year of operation, was an early initiative of the leadership of the academic consortium. The program identifies and mentors the next generation of higher education leaders in the Southeastern Conference universities. Fellows participate in two regional workshops as well as in programs specific to each campus over the course of the academic year.

Kathy Van Laningham

Van Laningham will help with planning the regional workshops and with the development and implementation of a campus Academic Leadership Development Program to supplement the consortium’s program. 

“The fellows selected for this Southeastern Conference Academic Consortium program represent all the best qualities of the faculty at the University of Arkansas,” said Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “I’m very pleased with this group of Fellows and appreciate their interest and willingness to participate. They are excellent representatives of the university and its academic leaders."

The fellows, who received strong recommendations from their deans, were selected through a nomination process among chairs and academic administrators who have been recently appointed in their departments. The three will attend workshops, along with their SEC colleagues, in October at the University of Kentucky and in February at Auburn University. 

Mark Boyer

Mark Boyer has served three years as chair of the landscape architecture department. He is a four-time department faculty teaching award recipient, has been inducted into the University of Arkansas Teaching Academy, was awarded the Tau Sigma Delta silver medal for excellence in landscape architectural education and received the national Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture Award of Recognition for teaching, research and service.

 He has also served as chair of the Faculty Senate nominations and elections coordination committee and as a member of the improving graduation rate and election task forces. He has been twice nominated co-director of the UA Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center.

Javier Reyes

Javier Reyes was named associate dean for undergraduate studies in 2010 and has been director of the Walton College honors program since 2009. He joined the Walton College in 2003 as an assistant professor in economics. His research interests include monetary theory, policy issues in emerging economies and international economics. Reyes received the university’s Faculty Gold Medal Award in 2008. He was named the Walton College All-Around Faculty Member in 2009. In 2011, Reyes was selected as one of the “40 under 40” individuals by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal.

Lona Robertson

Lona Robertson joined the faculty of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences in January 2006 as an associate professor and area coordinator for the apparel studies program. In February 2011 she was named associate dean for Bumpers College. Since joining the University of Arkansas faculty she has published five manuscripts in refereed journals or proceedings and has made eight presentations at national or international meetings. Robertson has represented Bumpers College on the academic standards committee, served on the assessment committee, and Bumpers College commencement committee.

As vice provost for planning Kathy Van Laningham manages budget and personnel issues in the provost’s office as well as providing support on a range of academic and fiscal issues. She also supports the chancellor and provost on data collection and analysis.