Ike Wheeler Appointed Interim Chancellor of ASU-Newport

NEWPORT (Ark.) – Arkansas State University System President Dr. Brendan Kelly today announced the selection of Ike Wheeler, vice chancellor for institutional advancement at ASU-Newport, as interim chancellor of the institution.

Ike Wheeler, ASUN Interim Chancellor

Effective Aug. 1, Wheeler will succeed Dr. Johnny Moore, who announced July 9 that he would leave ASU-Newport after four and a half years to become president of the four-year Rust College in Holly Springs, Miss.

Kelly said the search for the next chancellor will begin this fall.

Wheeler has been associated with ASU-Newport for more than 30 years. In December 2019, he was named vice chancellor for leadership and community engagement. He accepted his current title in 2023 to better reflect his role in fundraising for the institution and has responsibility for campus outreach and events and alumni relations.

“Ike cares deeply about ASU-Newport, and I’m grateful for his willingness to lead in this time of transition,” Kelly said. “ASU-Newport is an important institution for eastern Arkansas and the state. We want to ensure we put leaders in place who understand the constituents they are serving and maximize opportunities for the success of others. Ike will certainly fulfill this role during the interim period.”

Wheeler also served as interim chancellor at ASU-Newport for a brief time in 2021.

“It is my highest honor to serve ASU-Newport in the position of interim chancellor,” Wheeler said. “Spanning nearly 34 years, my connection with this institution has been my proudest association. I have been blessed with a career that has been both rewarding and fulfilling. I am humbled by this opportunity and will remain eternally grateful to Dr. Brendan Kelly and the ASU System, along with my wonderful network of friends, faculty and staff, and most especially the students and communities driving our work. I will strive ardently to remain worthy of this trust.”

During Wheeler’s career with ASU-Newport, he has been part of growth from a small technical college with 600 students to a three-campus entity with enrollment of more than 2,400 students.

A resident of Swifton, Wheeler is a member of Arkansas Community colleges, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, Jackson County Historical Society and Iron Mountain Regional Arts.

He received both his Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree from Arkansas State University.

Established in 2001, ASU-Newport is a two-year community college serving 4,200 students annually in Northeast Arkansas with campuses in Newport, Jonesboro and Marked Tree.