Associate Dean Shannon Collier-Tenison has been named interim dean of the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 

Collier-Tenison, also an associate professor of social work, will replace Dr. Ann Bain, who was appointed UA Little Rock’s new executive vice chancellor and provost Oct. 4.

“I am pleased to be able to continue my work with the faculty, staff, and students in the College of Education and Health Professions,” Collier-Tenison said. “While I know there will be challenges ahead, our college is strong and well positioned to move forward. I am very optimistic about our university leadership with Chancellor Christy Drale and Provost Ann Bain at the helm.”

As interim dean, Collier-Tenison will oversee the college with the largest student enrollment at UA Little Rock. The College of Education and Health Professions includes the School of Education, School of Social Work, Department of Nursing, Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, and the School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation. The college also houses key centers and community service units, including the Center for Literacy, the Jody Mahony Center for Gifted Education, MidSOUTH, and the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Education Center.

“Dr. Collier-Tenison has demonstrated able leadership in several positions over the last nine years and has earned the respect of her colleagues through her conscientious and collaborative administrative activities,” said Chancellor Christina Drale. “I have every confidence that Dr. Collier-Tenison will be an excellent interim dean. She brings to the position perspective, experience, superb interpersonal skills, and a strong work ethic. She is well-prepared to lead the College of Education and Health Professions through the next phase of our journey to a strong and flourishing university.”

Collier-Tenison graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hendrix College and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in social work from Washington University in St. Louis.

After beginning her career as a graduate advisor and assistant professor of social work at the University of Texas at Arlington, Collier-Tenison joined the UA Little Rock School of Social Work as an assistant professor in 2006 and served as coordinator of the Bachelor of Social Work program from 2010 to 2014. She also served as the restructuring liaison for the College of Social Sciences and Communication and the interim co-director of the School of Social Work. Her research interests and scholarly writing focus on intimate partner violence, bystander intervention, economic assets, and welfare policy. 

An active member of the community, Collier-Tenison serves as an executive board member and treasurer of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and previously served on the boards of Women and Children First and Kaleidoscope Grief Center. She has experience working with survivors of interpersonal violence and sexual assault as a crisis counselor, researcher, and advocate.