ON CAMPUS University Reorganizes for Efficiency, Collaboration, and Savings In April 2021, UAFS Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley announced the culmination of months of research, discussion, and discovery: A realignment in university structure meant to streamline operations and yield $1.2 million in annual savings or new revenue. UAFS moved from a five- to a three-college model and the adoption of a cohesive Center for Student Success and Retention. The new colleges, the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences; the College
of Business and Industry; and the College of Arts and Sciences represent a modern approach to strategic cross-disciplinary education and an alignment of resources and professionals who share goals and vision for their students. Though the cost savings were significant, Chancellor Riley, Provost Georgia Hale, and the committees who charted the reorganization accomplished a tremendous feat, especially during a global pandemic: They kept every
individual working at UAFS employed without a reduction in salary or demotion. Because the faculty and staff who make the student experience so unique were retained, students likely noted minimal changes beyond changes to the names of the academic colleges conferring their degrees. The entire university had opportunities to contribute to the process that led to realignment and budget assessment throughout fiscal year 2020. Faculty, staff, and student
representatives served on six budget subcommittees to evaluate implications and strategies for revenue generation, institutional and instructional technology, campus facilities, student engagement, benefits and compensation, and organizational structure. Subcommittees presented recommendations through open, all-campus Zoom conferences, and final recommendations were submitted to the chancellor by the UAFS Budget Council.
New Dean to Lead College of Health, Education, and Human Services
D
r. D. Antonio “Dean” Cantu assumed
tremely dedicated and exceptionally talented
role it plays today
the position of Dean of the College
faculty and staff.”
as a university in
of Health, Education, and Human
Cantu said he most looks forward to
the twenty-first
Sciences on Feb.1. The search for the new
working collaboratively with the leadership
century – in serving
head administrator had been underway since
team, faculty, staff, community partners, and
students from a
June, led by the ACES (Academic Career and
alumni.
variety of diverse
“Collaboration is essential to building
backgrounds,
upon the rich tradition of excellence in each
including from
to come to UAFS as the inaugural dean of
of the college’s unique programs, and in
underrepresented
the College of Health, Education and Human
working to provide our students with the
and underserved populations.”
Sciences,” said UAFS Provost Dr. Georgia
best educational experience possible to
Hale. “His broad experience includes leading
prepare them for their respective professions
ate dean and director for the Department
the successful merger of multiple depart-
that are focused on caring for the physical,
of Education, Counseling, and Leadership
ments, which will be very valuable as he
mental, social, and educational needs of our
at Bradley University, where he oversaw
works with departmental leadership, faculty,
communities,” he said. “Indeed, the pandemic
strategic initiatives including the merger
and staff within this newly formed college.”
serves to remind us all of the critical impor-
of two distinct academic departments into
“I am honored and humbled to be se-
tance of this charge, and just how essential
one cohesive unit and the development and
these professions are in our society.”
implementation of a five-year departmental
Executive Search) national search firm. “I am very pleased Dr. Cantu has chosen
lected as the inaugural Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences
“In addition, as a first-generation college
Dr. Cantu currently serves as the associ-
strategic plan. He also currently serves as a Research
at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith,”
student, I was attracted to UAFS because
shared Cantu. “I am truly grateful for this
of its rich history – from its early twentieth-
Fellow in the Future Institute Research
opportunity to work together with the ex-
century origins as a junior college to the
Center.
4 THE BELL TOWER SPRING 2022
