JONESBORO – Dr. Will McLean has accepted the position as associate vice chancellor for faculty relations at Arkansas State University, Provost Alan Utter announced this week.
An associate professor in political science at A-State, McLean begins his new position in charge of oversight of faculty development, curricular processes, and serving as the primary liaison with the faculty for the Division of Academic Affairs and Research (AAR).
“For this position it was extremely important to select a candidate who had extensive experience as a member of our faculty, both to represent their point of view within Academic Affairs but to also bring expert knowledge of the current demands of both the classroom and research activities to the Provost’s Office,” Utter said. “I am honored that Dr. McLean will step out of his current academic appointment and into our administration.”
The position will work with deans, associate deans and department heads to support faculty recruitment, curricular needs, successful promotion and tenure processes, and general professional development.
“I am honored to be selected as the inaugural AVCFR to help elevate the faculty voice to a place of prominence on campus. This institution was built on faculty excellence and I hope to help extend that long standing tradition,” McLean said. “I am acutely aware of the role faculty play in student success and am excited to get started assisting them in these endeavors. A-State is truly a place where faculty can have a lasting impact for generations to come and I am so happy to be a part of that.”
The AVC for Faculty Relations will chair A-State’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and serve as the provost’s liaison to the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) as well as serving on selected commissions, committees and task forces. The position will also be charged with creation of new degree or certificate programs and managing their submission to ADHE. McLean will also coordinate several faculty oriented programs from AAR including New Faculty Orientation, the Fall Faculty Conference, and the Faculty Honors Convocation each spring.
Several areas within Academic Affairs will report to the AVC for Faculty Relations, including the Faculty Center, Dean B. Ellis Library, A-State Heritage Sites, A-State Museum and the Department of Military Science.
During his academic career at A-State, McLean currently is the chair of the political science department, and most recently served as the chair of the program viability review and as a member of the Discover 2025 Strategic Plan steering committee. He received his doctorate from the University of New Orleans in 2003, and is a two-time alumnus of A-State earning his bachelor’s in 1994 and his master’s in 1995.
Among his milestones during his time with political science include a continued local, state, national and global impact thru its NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration (MPA) program that has grown exponentially since 2012. Offered both on-campus and on-line, the MPA has educated public and nonprofit leaders across the globe.
The department has extended its outreach to students thru several programs including the establishment of the Phelps and Womack Pre-Law Center, the Price and Sara Gardner Pre-Law Scholarship and the Stanley Vanagunas Public Service Scholarship. Students in the program are attending law school from in-state to the Ivy League and working in various public service and private entities across the world.