Contact:  Jeff Hankins, 501-660-1004
 
NEWPORT (Ark.) –  Arkansas State University System President Dr. Charles L. Welch announced today that two candidates will interview for the position of chancellor at Arkansas State University-Newport.

The candidates are Dr. Jeff Jochems, retired president of Ozarks Technical Community College-Richwood Valley Campus, and Dr. Johnny Moore, president of Pierpont Community and Technical College. On-campus interviews will be conducted Nov. 18-20.

Three invitations to formally interview on campus were extended after recent meetings Welch conducted with the Chancellor Search Advisory Committee, but one candidate had accepted a position at another institution. The advisory committee, consisting of 11 members representing faculty, staff, students, and community representatives, reviewed more than 50 applications for the position. 

“I am very excited about the quality of the applicant pool we had for this position,” Welch said. “This was one of the strongest pools I have encountered in the past decade of hiring chancellors within the ASU System. This is a testament to the strength and reputation of the campus, as well as the many accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff. I appreciate the efforts of our advisory committee through this process and look forward to the upcoming interviews and feedback.”

Advisory committee members include Welch, committee chair; Edgar Garcia, student representative; Daniel Adamson, faculty representative; Christopher Hicks, faculty representative; Danyelle Hardaway, staff representative; Mary Harris, staff representative; Veronica Manning, administrative representative; Amanda White, Marked Tree campus representative; Jeff Bookout, Jonesboro campus representative; Jon Chadwell, community representative; Jan Maris, community representative; and Ike Wheeler, search liaison (non-voting).

The candidates will meet with the advisory committee, faculty, staff, students, and community members during scheduled interview sessions. Because of COVID-19 safety precautions, the number of in-person attendees at public forums will be limited and chosen through a random lottery. The forums will be available by live streams and will allow for remote questions.

Individuals attending the interview sessions will have an opportunity to submit feedback regarding each candidate to the advisory committee.  Following the final interview, the advisory committee will meet to discuss the candidates and provide feedback to Welch. 

Welch said he hopes to appoint a new chancellor by the end of the calendar year, when current Chancellor Sandra Massey will retire after seven years of service. The position and related information are posted on the ASU-Newport website at https://www.asun.edu/chancellor-search. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.

Dr. Jeff Jochems
Dr. Jochems retired as president of Ozarks Technical Community College-Richwood Valley Campus in Nixa, Mo., in June. He previously served in various roles with Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, Mo. From 1991-2011.
He received an Associate of Science degree in business at Pratt Community College, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management at Washburn University, a Master of Science in higher education-student personnel at the University of Kansas and a Doctor of Education in higher education leadership at the University of Arkansas. 

Dr. Johnny Moore
Dr. Moore has served as president of Pierpont Community and Technical College in Fairmont, W.Va., since April 2016. He was president and CEO of Philander Smith College in Little Rock from 2012-2014.
He received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics at Philander Smith College, a Master of Science in Mathematics at Arkansas State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics education at Florida Institute of Technology.