National Search Begins for Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

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An advisory committee made up of U of A faculty, staff and stakeholders is leading a national search to find the next vice chancellor for research and innovation. With the university’s 150 Forward strategic planning process underway and research excellence identified as one of its three strategic pillars, this position is key to the university’s success.  

The vice chancellor for research and innovation reports to the chancellor of the U of A and will interact closely with the other senior leaders, deans and directors of research centers, institutes and programs. Among the ways the vice chancellor will energize the research enterprise and advance the research goals of the university are: 

• Providing oversight, management and direction for the Division of Research and Innovation 
• Creating visibility for the division and its programs with faculty and students, campus leaders and external stakeholders 
• Supporting campuswide execution of the university’s 150 Forward research excellence strategic plan 
• Establishing productive relationships with faculty, staff and students, including partnering with key stakeholders outside of the university 
• Providing focus and support to secure grant awards from governmental and private sources while at the same time supporting sponsored research infrastructure and personnel resources to ensure sustainability and growth. 

The advisory committee will evaluate applicants for the position, offer recommendations for on-campus interviews and make hiring recommendations to Chancellor Charles Robinson. Margaret Sova McCabe, interim vice chancellor for research and innovation, will chair the 13-member committee. 

Advisory Committee members: 

• Margaret Sova McCabe, interim vice chancellor, professor of law and senior director of strategic projects, chair 
• Paul D. Adams, professor of biochemistry 
• Juan Carlos Balda, University Professor, department head and Twenty-First Century Leadership Chair in Engineering, electrical engineering  
• Hugh Churchill, associate professor of physics 
• Sandra D. Eksioglu, associate dean for research, engineering, John M. and Marie G. Hefley Professor in Logistics and Entrepreneurship  
• Jonathan Ivey, undergraduate student researcher and data science major  
• Mike Malone, vice chancellor for economic development 
• Jean-Francois (JF) Meullenet, interim dean, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and senior associate vice president for agriculture research, and director of the Agricultural Experiment Station for the U of A System Division of Agriculture  
• Charles A. O’Brien, professor in departments of Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery; VA research scientist; director, Center for Musculoskeletal Disease Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences   
• Kaylin Oliver, Ph.D. student in higher education  
• Erin Parker, executive director, Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative  
• Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council  
• Anna Zajicek, vice provost for faculty affairs  

Position details are available online. The search will continue until the position is filled. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.