Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison appointed interim dean at UA Little Rock

Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison has been named interim dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, effective July 1.

“I am glad to be able to step into the interim dean role to provide continuity of support and stability for the college as faculty and students return to campus in the new academic year,” Collier-Tenison said. “As a new college, we are eagerly working to form a shared identity and CBHHS is ripe with opportunity for increased collaboration across disciplines, new external partnerships, and continued growth.”

Collier-Tenison, associate dean of CBHHS, will oversee the college until a permanent dean is announced to replace Dr. Jane Wayland, dean of CBHHS, who will retire at the end of the month after a 14-year tenure at UA Little Rock.

Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost of research and dean of the Graduate School, is leading a national search conducted by a committee of faculty, staff, and university stakeholders. The search is near completion, and the new dean is expected to be announced in July.

As interim dean, Collier-Tenison will oversee the college with the largest student enrollment at UA Little Rock. The College of Business, Health, and Human Services contains eight departments and schools as well as the Arkansas Economic Development Institute, the state’s lead Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, and MidSOUTH.

“Shannon’s experience as associate dean in two colleges coupled with her experience as interim dean of the previous College of Education and Health Professions made her the logical choice to serve in this interim capacity,” said Dr. Ann Bain, provost and executive vice chancellor. “I appreciate her willingness to serve in this critical role.”

Collier-Tenison graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hendrix College as well as a master’s degree and Ph.D. in social work from Washington University in St. Louis.

After beginning her career as a teaching fellow, graduate advisor, and assistant professor of social work at the University of Texas at Arlington, Collier-Tenison joined the UA Little Rock School of Social Work as an assistant professor in 2006 and served as coordinator of the bachelor of social work program from 2010 to 2014.

She also served as the restructuring liaison for the College of Social Sciences and Communication, interim co-director of the School of Social Work, associate dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, interim chair of the Department of Speech Language Pathology, and interim dean of the College of Education and Health Professions.