A farewell reception for Dr. Keegan Nichols, Arkansas Tech University vice president for student affairs, is planned for Tuesday, March 11, from 2-4 p.m. in the Hull Building Student Union.
All are invited to attend the reception.
Nichols announced in January that she is resigning her position at ATU effective April 1, 2025, in order to move to Chicago, Ill., and begin a new life with her soon-to-be husband Randy Newkirk and his two children, Reilly and Garrett.
Nichols was named vice president for student affairs at ATU in June 2017. A graduate of Leadership Arkansas Class XIII, Nichols has helped ATU enhance its commitment to campus safety, civic engagement, community partnerships and first-generation students.
Under her leadership, Arkansas Tech has earned the Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023) and Voter Friendly Campus status through NASPA and the Campus Vote Project in each of the last three election cycles (2018, 2020 and 2022). Nichols was integral in the establishment of a mayoral student advisory council partnership with the City of Russellville and ATU’s membership in the International Town and Gown Association.
ATU has earned national recognition from the Center for First-Generation Student Success and established the ATU Office of First-Generation Experience under Nichols’ leadership. ATU was among 22 institutions across the U.S. selected by the Center for First-Generation Student Success to advance to the First Scholars phase of the First Scholars Network in 2023.
Nichols has served as a Higher Learning Commission peer reviewer, National Panhellenic area advisor, board member of Jana’s Campaign and NASPA Region IV-W director. She is participating in the 2024-25 American Association of State Colleges and Universities Executive Leadership Academy.
Recently, Nichols has been recognized by Arkansas Money and Politics as a Power Woman, by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas among its Top 100 Women of Impact and by NASPA as a Pillar of the Profession.
“Dr. Nichols is nationally recognized as a scholar and leader in the field of student affairs,” said Dr. Russell Jones, ATU president. “Her contributions to Arkansas Tech are too many to count, but her most lasting impact will be the relationships she developed with her students and her colleagues. She has lifted those around her by building their self-confidence and providing them with opportunities to grow and develop. We will miss her, and we wish her all the best as she moves forward to this new chapter in her life.”
Amy Pennington, ATU associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, will serve as ATU interim vice president for student affairs effective April 2, 2025.
