Charles Robinson Appointed to Lead Newly Aligned Student Affairs Division

Photo by University Relations

Charles Robinson

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Charles Robinson has been named vice chancellor for the newly aligned Division of Student Affairs effective May 1. University of Arkansas Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz made the announcement at the Silas Hunt Legacy Award Celebration in Little Rock on Friday, April 29. Robinson has served as interim vice provost for student affairs since July 2015, while also serving as vice chancellor for diversity and community.

“We couldn’t ask for a better fit than Charles Robinson to oversee this important division, one that impacts every one of our students,” Steinmetz said. “The reach of the office of diversity and community for our students has grown steadily under his direction. He will continue all of those initiatives in his new role while expanding efforts to increase retention and graduation and enhance the overall student experience at the U of A.”

The new alignment of the division is based on recommendations made by a committee of students, faculty and staff appointed by the chancellor to research the most effective way to support student engagement and success while enhancing the university’s diversity initiatives.

The Student Affairs Division will continue to manage student activities, student media, university housing, career services, the Pat Walker Health Center, university programs, student standards and conduct, the Veterans Resource and Information Center, New Student and Family Programs, Greek Life and many other offices and programs while adding the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education, TRIO programs, the College Access Initiative and the new Accelerated Student Achievement Program (ASAP).

The reorganization establishes a senior-level group of three current associate vice chancellors that will manage the major components of student affairs operations including a dean of students, the executive director of the Pat Walker Health Center and a third associate vice chancellor to oversee university housing, business services and the office of assessment and strategic planning.

In addition, the realignment includes converting the former vice chancellor’s position for diversity and community to a vice provost for diversity position, focused on being a resource for and enhancing engagement with faculty and staff; and increasing the academic study of diversity while building a more inclusive campus community.

“I’m excited about this new opportunity to engage all of our students in so many ways, helping them succeed on campus and graduate while preparing them for the next chapter of their lives,” Robinson said. “And the new alignment is a win-win for the university’s diversity efforts. We will continue the forward momentum we’ve built with students in this area, if anything expanding those efforts, while better positioning our diversity initiatives among faculty and staff.”

The vice provost for diversity will coordinate diversity initiatives and facilitate education and training sessions.

“Our goal is to have the most inclusive campus community we can create,” said Provost Ashok Saxena. “The vice provost’s primary duties will include creating a diversity resource center, facilitating diversity training for faculty and staff, and providing curriculum review for inclusion of courses that contribute to diversity literacy.”

“No one person or unit alone can drive the outcomes we hope to achieve,” Robinson said. “It’s going to take a holistic commitment, with students, faculty and staff dedicated in all areas to improve our processes and reach our goals, supporting the legacy of Silas Hunt.”

Robinson served as vice provost for diversity affairs within the U of A division of academic affairs before being named vice chancellor in 2013. He joined the U of A faculty in 1999, achieved the rank of full professor of history and served as director of the African American Studies program.

Robinson earned his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Houston, his master’s degree in history from Rice University and his doctorate in history from the University of Houston.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.