Kimberly K. Bright, former student services executive for college campuses in Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and Texas, including Southern Methodist University, is the new director of UALR’s Academic Success Center, announced Daryl Rice, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs/student success.

Bright succeeds Trakenya Dobbins, the outgoing director, who resigned to go into teaching.

“Ms. Bright comes with a wealth of experience in student services and grant writing,” Rice said.

Located in the Speech Building, Room 101, the ASC houses two TRIO programs — Student Support Services and the Ronald McNair Scholars Program. In addition, the center provides academic advising; special programing for students requiring developmental reading or composition; academic coaching for students on academic probation; and administers a growing program of supplemental instruction.

“My vision for the Academic Success Center is to be a hub of the campus where everyone on campus can experience success on multiple levels,” Bright said. “The center will help students discover ways that they can help themselves and others along the path towards graduation and beyond.”

A native of Wichita, Kansas, Bright comes to UALR from her position as dean of student services at Lamar Community College in Lamar, Colo. Prior to that she was dean of students at Chadron State College in Nebraska, where she coordinated the school’s Learning Center, TRiO Project Strive, and Upward Bound programs.

From 2005 to 2008, Bright was director of academic advising and student records for the Cox School of Business at SMU in Dallas.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas Newman College — now Newman University — and a master’s degree from Kansas State University.