Lynita Cooksey Named To ASU Provost Spot
by October 17, 2012 6:30 am 118 views
Dr. Lynita Cooksey has been named as Arkansas State’s Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and university Provost, according to ASU Chancellor Tim Hudson.
Cooksey has served both roles on an interim basis since July.
“Dr. Cooksey is a proven academic leader and has done an outstanding job throughout this transitional period dating to last year,” said Dr. Hudson. “After taking counsel from key individuals in our academic community about the qualities we would want in a provost, I concluded we already had the right person in place.”
“We have developed an easy rapport in my months here on campus,” Hudson said. “I believe our management styles and philosophy of higher education complement each other. Dr. Cooksey provides a wealth of institutional knowledge and a thorough understanding of the operations of higher education. She is a persistent advocate of faculty development and student welfare. Her expertise will be a valuable asset as we continue moving Arkansas State forward.”
Cooksey has held several leadership roles since joining the Arkansas State faculty in 1993. Prior to her appointment as associate vice chancellor for Academic Services in 2000, she was associate dean of the then-College of Arts and Sciences, and taught for several years in the Department of Biological Sciences where she also held chair and associate chair positions.
Other appointments have included Dean of University College, where she was instrumental in establishing the First-Year Experience program at ASU. She is currently in charge of facilitating and coordinating the accreditation process with The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Cooksey earned her doctoral degree in entomology at Oklahoma State University and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arkansas State University. She is a graduate of Jonesboro High School and is married to Dr. Larry Hilburn.
“Dr. Cooksey is an excellent choice for Provost,” said Julie Isaacson, chair of the Faculty Senate and associate professor of nursing. “She is highly regarded in the realm of higher education and throughout the state. She’s very faculty- and student-focused, and has significant experience in the accreditation process. She and Dr. Hudson will be a visionary, progressive academic leadership team for Arkansas State University.”