Arkansas Tech University has identified permanent leadership for its academic colleges.
Dr. Tim Carter (College of Education and Health), Tracy Cole (College of Business and Economic Development), Dr. Sarah Gordon (Graduate College) and Dr. John Jackson (College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), all of whom were serving in an interim capacity, have been selected to lead their respective ATU colleges moving forward.
Carter, Cole, Gordon and Jackson join Dr. Jeffrey Cass, dean of the ATU College of Arts and Humanities, in providing dean-level oversight for ATU’s academic programs.
A member of the ATU faculty since 1998, Carter fulfilled the duties of associate dean from July 2018 until taking office as interim dean on July 1, 2023. He played an integral role in helping ATU’s education programs earn accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation in 2020.
Carter holds Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from Arkansas Tech. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Georgia. His faculty rank at ATU is professor of curriculum and instruction.
Cole has served on the ATU faculty since 2007. Her faculty rank is professor of legal studies and she functioned as associate dean for the ATU College of Business and Economic Development from 2019 until taking office as interim dean in August 2023.
Cole holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from the University of Arkansas. She earned her Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Gordon joined the ATU faculty in 2018 as associate professor of educational leadership and held departmental leadership positions in the ATU Department of Student Affairs Administration and the ATU Center for Leadership and Learning before becoming interim dean of the ATU Graduate College in February 2022.
Gordon holds Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Oklahoma State University. She has taught courses at the graduate level since 2007.
A member of the ATU faculty since 2003, Jackson is professor of fisheries science. His previous administrative appointments at Arkansas Tech have included program director of fisheries and wildlife science, head of the ATU Department of Biological Sciences, interim head of the ATU Department of Mathematics and interim dean of the unit previously known as the ATU College of Natural and Health Sciences. He became interim dean of the ATU College of STEM on July 1, 2023.
Jackson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University as well as Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Mississippi State University.
“I am grateful to these scholars and leaders for their continued service to Arkansas Tech University as college deans,” said Dr. Julie Furst-Bowe, ATU interim vice president for academic affairs. “As I prepare to complete my interim assignment at ATU, I believe the excellence of our faculty, department heads and deans paired with the rigor and relevance of our academic programs will lead to continued success for Arkansas Tech in the fulfillment of its mission and the pursuit of its vision.”
Furst-Bowe has served as ATU interim vice president for academic affairs since March 2022. She will complete her service to Arkansas Tech at the conclusion of the fall 2023 semester.
“Dr. Furst-Bowe has been a great asset to Arkansas Tech University during her interim appointment as vice president for academic affairs,” said Dr. Russell Jones, ATU interim president. “She has been much more than a steady hand. She has helped ATU make significant progress toward aligning our curriculum and resources with current and future student needs. We are grateful for her outstanding service to our university and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
Arkansas Tech is currently engaged in a search process to identify an executive vice president for academic affairs and provost to become ATU’s chief academic officer.
