Arn Selected As Interim Chancellor

University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt has named Diana Arn interim chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. Arn, currently the vice chancellor for academic services, will take over for Dr. Larry Davis, upon his retirement effective January 31. 

“As UACCM prepares to embark on the search for a new chancellor, the faculty and staff at UACCM will continue their high standard of service,” Arn said. “Our spring semester is scheduled to begin January 14, and we are busy enrolling students in credit classes that will lead to skills used to join the workforce upon graduation or skills needed to transfer to a four-year institution and be successful.”  

Dr. Bobbitt made the announcement in a letter to UACCM staff, students, and the community. “UACCM has made great progress during the tenure of Dr. Davis’ chancellorship, and I am positive that Ms. Arn will continue this upward trajectory,” Bobbitt said. 

Vice Chancellor of Academic Services Diana Arn at the 2018 Fall Commencement.

Arn enters the role with 32 years of experience at UACCM. A U.S. Army veteran, she joined the college in 1987 as a business education instructor. In 2002, she became division chair of humanities, social sciences, and mathematics, then was vice chancellor starting in 2008. She also has notable experience sitting on committees. Since 2008, she has sat on the Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium Board, including presiding as chair on three separate occasions, and has served on the Arkansas Community Colleges Board. 

She received her M.S.E. in Business Education at the University of Central Arkansas. Prior to that, she earned a bachelor’s degree at Harding University and an associate’s degree at Arkansas State University-Beebe. As a graduate of a two-year college, she expressed what UACCM is offering to the community in addition to its for-credit academic and career training programs. 

“Our Workforce Training Department is developing training opportunities for business and industry and is ready to help with specific requests while our Community Education Department continues to offer classes for personal enrichment. UACCM offers Adult Education classes in Conway, Faulkner, Perry, and Van Buren counties to serve those working on a GED or WAGE training.  

“Our job has been and will continue to be to serve the community and our students,” she said. 

Arn will begin serving as interim chancellor upon Dr. Davis' retirement.

Bobbitt laid out the process of how the permanent chancellor will be selected. “In the coming weeks I will name a search committee to assist this office and the Board of Trustees in managing the search process,” he said. “Given the high regard with which UACCM is held both in Arkansas and outside the state, I am positive we will have an exceptional pool of candidates for the campus to consider.”