Dr. Todd Shields named A-State System president

Dr. Todd Shields, the chancellor for the Arkansas State University Jonesboro campus was named the A-State System president on Tuesday (May 26). The A-State Board of Trustees selected Shields to begin his term on July 1.

At the recommendation of interim president Dr. Robin Myers, the board also voted to name Dr. Calvin White, executive vice chancellor and provost at A-State, as interim chancellor effective July 1.

Shields will succeed Dr. Brendan Kelly, who left the system in December to become president of his alma mater, Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Robin Myers will continue to serve as interim system president until Shields takes the helm.

Chair Robert Rudolph said Trustee Price Gardner of Little Rock will work to negotiate contracts with both Shields and White prior to the board’s next regular meeting on June 3.

“I am honored to welcome Dr. Shields as the president of the ASU System and to appoint Dr. White as interim chancellor at A-State. These two distinguished leaders represent the very best of higher education leadership – visionary, student-centered, collaborative and deeply committed to the future of Arkansas. Dr. Shields has already demonstrated transformational leadership at Arkansas State through innovation, strategic growth, academic excellence and community engagement. His proven ability to lead complex institutions and build meaningful partnerships makes him uniquely prepared to guide the ASU System into its next chapter of program and statement impact,” Rudolph said.

“At the same time, Dr. White has earned tremendous respect across Arkansas and beyond as a scholar, administrator and servant leader,” Rudolph added. “His steady leadership, academic integrity and deep understanding of the mission of higher education position him well to serve as interim chancellor during this important transition. The board has full confidence in both leaders. Together, they reflect the strength, stability and excellence that continue to define the ASU System. We are excited about the future and remain committed to expanding opportunity, advancing student success, strengthening our campuses and serving the people of Arkansas with distinction.

An academic administrator, a nationally known scholar and an unabashed champion for students, staff and faculty, Shields was named the fourth appointed chancellor and the 14th individual to lead A-State in 2022.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by the confidence the ASU System Board of Trustees has placed in me through my appointment as president,” Shields said. “I am grateful for their trust, their leadership and their steadfast commitment to expanding educational opportunity across our state and beyond. While I am excited about this new opportunity to serve, my heart is filled with gratitude for the relationships that my wife Karen and I have built in Jonesboro. We have had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community partners who believe deeply in this university and its ability to transform lives and strengthen our region.

“As I begin this next chapter, please know that my commitment to A-State remains unwavering,” Shields added “As system president, I will continue to be a strong advocate and resource for A-State, working to ensure that the university has every opportunity to build upon its success and continue changing lives. The future of A-State is bright, and I look forward to helping facilitate continued achievements in the years ahead.”

White, who joined Shields at A-State in 2022 after serving as associate dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, said: “A-State belongs to the people of Arkansas and throughout this transition, my focus will remain firmly on the mission that defines us: educating students, expanding opportunity, conducting impactful research and strengthening the communities we serve. The accomplishments of Arkansas State are the result of dedicated faculty and staff, engaged students, loyal alumni, generous supporters and strong community partners united around a common purpose. I look forward to working with our campus community as we build on our momentum and continue advancing the priorities that are shaping Arkansas State’s future.”

Completing his fourth year as chancellor, Shields has led an enrollment increase of nearly 30% while launching several initiatives that are reshaping the future of higher education in Northeast Arkansas. In early 2025, the university broke ground on the state’s first College of Veterinary Medicine, which will address critical shortages in rural veterinary care and expand A-State’s impact on animal health and agriculture. He led efforts to establish the Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing, positioning A-State as a leader in applied research and talent development for the steel industry. In partnership with Arkansas Northeastern College and ASU-Newport, A-State secured competitive workforce grants to expand training opportunities across Northeast Arkansas with creation of the Career Readiness Education & Skills Training (CREST) Center in Jonesboro.

Prior to joining A-State, Shields spent many years as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and dean of the Graduate School and International Education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. One of his signature contributions to UA was the creation of a School of Art within the college, bolstered by significant endowment gifts that funded the construction of a new campus space. Additionally, Shields played a pivotal role in creation of the Diane D. Blair Center of Southern Politics and Society, serving as its founding director.

Shields was recently named the 2026 Rural Advocate of the Year by the Arkansas Rural Development Commission.