Dr. Christina Drale recommended for UA Little Rock chancellor post

The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas unanimously accepted UA System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt’s recommendation to name Christina Drale, Ph.D., chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Bobbitt previously named Drale acting chancellor following the resignation of former Chancellor Dr. Andrew Rogerson that went into effect on Sept. 1.

The Board voted to approve Bobbitt’s recommendation to hire Drale as permanent chancellor at its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday (Sept. 12) at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

“I’m very pleased to have been given the confidence and support from Dr. Bobbitt and the Trustees to help guide UA Little Rock into a new era of improvement in many areas on campus,” Drale said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to bring the campus and the community together and work with our students, faculty, staff and alumni to move UA Little Rock forward in the most efficient and effective ways possible. I appreciate the supportive reception I’ve gotten so far on campus and in the community, and I look forward to helping make this institution all it can be.”

Drale has served as interim executive vice chancellor and provost at UA Little Rock since October 2018. She previously served as associate vice chancellor for faculty relations and administration. She earned a doctorate degree in sociology, a Master of Arts in sociology, and a Bachelor of Arts in communications, all from the University of California, San Diego.

“Dr. Drale is widely respected on campus and is equipped with the necessary skillset to guide UA Little Rock through the challenges it currently faces and help solidify its unique standing as a comprehensive metropolitan university serving our Capital City and the entire state,” Bobbitt said. “I appreciate her stepping in recently to accept the challenge as acting chancellor and look forward to working with her and supporting her efforts to improve the institution.”

The Board authorized Bobbitt to enter into a two-year employment agreement with Drale, which will be executed in the coming days. Drale will also be charged with identifying a new executive vice chancellor and provost to fill her previous position.