Arkansas Tech University President Dr. Robin E. Bowen announced that Dr. Mary B. Gunter is serving as chief of staff in the ATU Office of the President on a permanent basis as of May 1, 2018.
Gunter was appointed interim chief of staff as of Jan. 2, 2018. She succeeded Dr. Jeff Mott, who served as chief of staff from September 2015 through December 2017 and is stepping away from the university in order to be closer to his family.
“I am pleased and excited to be able to welcome Dr. Gunter to our executive council,” said Bowen. “She is an accomplished leader in the realm of P-20 education, and she has a sharp focus on the continued implementation and success of our strategic plan. I appreciate the outstanding work by our chief of staff search committee, which was led by Steve Mullins, director of athletics.”
A member of the ATU faculty since 1998, Gunter served as dean of the ATU Graduate College from 2009-17 and dean of the ATU College of Education from 2015-17. She holds the faculty rank professor of educational leadership.
“This appointment marks a transition point in my career and my life,” said Gunter. “It was my privilege to work in K-12 education for 22 years as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and educational co-op director, as well as serving as director of the Governor’s Partnership on Education for two years. I have spent the last 20 years training and preparing school leaders in my roles here at Arkansas Tech. Serving as chief of staff in Dr. Bowen’s administration is a great opportunity. I am a first generation high school and college graduate, so I have a passion to provide others with access to higher education. That is the work we will pursue by continuing to ensure that every student counts at ATU.”
