FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Jo Ann Pepper, who has worked at the University of Arkansas for 25 years – the past 17 years as director of the Treasurer’s Office – will retire on Feb. 28.

Jason Rankin, who currently serves as associate director of the Treasurer’s Office, has been selected to become the new director starting March 1.

“The most rewarding aspect of my time at the university has been helping students and their families navigate the process of paying for their education and seeing them complete their degree,” said Pepper.

Rankin acknowledged it will not be easy to take Pepper’s place.

“I am excited about the new opportunity that has been given to me,” he said. “I have big shoes to fill with the retirement of Jo Ann, but I am confident that the Treasurer’s Office can work as a team to handle the challenges before us.”

Rankin holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with emphasis in accounting and computer information systems from the University of Central Arkansas.  He worked at Acxiom, Alltel and the University of Central Arkansas before coming to the U of A in his current position in 2015.

Rankin’s position as associate director has been posted but no one has been hired to fill it yet.

A retirement reception will be held for Jo Ann Pepper from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 in the Administration Building lobby.