ACHE appoints provost and vice president, DEI director

The Fort Smith-based Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) has appointed a new vice president and provost and a new assistant provost and director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

ACHE announced Wednesday (July 10) that Dr. Teressa Brown would is the vice president and provost and Dr. Christopher Smith is the assistant provost and director of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

ACHE officials noted in the statement that the appointments are part of the institution’s focus on academic excellence and inclusivity within its five academic programs: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, ACHE School of Physical Therapy, ACHE School of Occupational Therapy, master’ degree in biomedicine and master’s degree in public health, a news release said.

Brown most recently was the founding dean of the ACHE School of Physical Therapy, where she guided the program to full accreditation. Her experience includes her tenure at West Coast University in Los Angeles, where she helped establish physical therapy, occupational therapy, and pharmacology programs for the for-profit institution.

She has a bachelor’s degree in science and a doctor of physical therapy degree from Simmons University. In January 2015, she earned her doctorate in health professions education from Simmons University. Her primary research areas include instructional methods and assessment practices in anatomy education and predictors of success or difficulty in the DPT curriculum.

As provost, Brown will lead all academic activities and faculty affairs, oversee budgeting, faculty hiring, and performance, and spearhead academic planning initiatives. Smith joined ACHE in 2022 as the director of DEI, bringing more than seven years of experience in higher education and DEI-related fields. He also contributed to state and system-wide task forces on race and equity.

During the 2020-2021 academic year, Smith was acting provost at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. In his expanded role as assistant provost and director of DEI, Smith will continue to lead ACHE’s efforts in fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment, the news release said.

“I am thrilled to announce the appointments of our new Provost and Assistant Provost, both of whom have demonstrated exceptional dedication and expertise within our institution. Their deep understanding of our mission and their proven leadership will be instrumental in driving the growth and success of ACHE. As in-house hires, they bring continuity and a profound commitment to our values, ensuring that we continue to provide the highest quality education and support to our students. I look forward to their contributions as we embark on this exciting new chapter, ” Kyle Parker, ACHE president and CEO, said in the statement.

ACHE was formed when Fort Smith-based Degen Foundation used part of $70 million from the sale of Sparks Health System in November 2009 to what was then Naples, Fla.-based Health Management Associates to build the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) at Chaffee Crossing. The $32.4 million college and its 103,000 square feet is now home to 600 medical students.