Dr. Andrew Rogerson began his journey as the new chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Sept. 1.

Rogerson and his wife Janessa came to UALR from California, where Rogerson was provost and vice president of academic affairs at Sonoma State University, part of the California State University system.

A native of Scotland, Rogerson earned both an undergraduate honors degree in biology and a doctorate in protozoan ecology. He has been a professor, scholar, and senior administrator at leading universities in England, Canada, and the United States, including Marshall University and Fresno State.

At the end of his first day as chancellor on Sept. 1, the UALR Office of Communications and Marketing met with Rogerson to get the scoop on his move to Arkansas, his first day on the job, riding motorbikes to work, and his surprising past as an artist.

Q. How are you and Janessa adjusting to life in Arkansas?

A. We are enjoying the transition very much. Everyone has been very supportive. We are thrilled by the Southern hospitality and the generosity of the people we’ve met. A lot of what we’ve been involved with has been meeting members of the community.

We have been starting off engaging with the community and university leaders in preparation for the kickoff of my first day. We have felt the warm hospitality of this state and this city. We are thrilled with the chancellor’s house and its potential to become a hub of entertainment.

Q. How do you feel about beginning your journey as the chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock?

A. I am very excited. It seems like it’s been a long time coming. I accepted the position towards the end of May, and here we are on Sept. 1. However, it couldn’t have happened any faster, because I did have to finish responsibly at Sonoma State and then transition to Arkansas.

I have been impatient to get here and get started. I did spend the summer learning a lot about UALR, and I’ve had briefings sent to me, all of which has piqued my interest to get here and start this job.

 Related: UALR Chancellor Rogerson settles into first month on the job

Q. Did Janessa give you any memorable advice today?

Go forth and be wonderful. My wife has a lot of confidence in me. Having spent 14 years in university administration, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. There is not a lot in the way of challenges that can hold me back. Janessa has a lot of confidence in me, so she just wanted to remind me that this will be a very challenging and rewarding job.

She did make sure I was respectable for day one. I am famous for having a wardrobe in my office. I used to be notorious for not wearing a suit and tie, and that is mainly because I drove a motorbike to work, which is not conducive to wearing a suit and tie. Even today, I drove a red Ducati, a red Italian sports bike, to work.

Q. What did you do on your first day as chancellor?

A. It’s important to realize I am on an incredibly steep learning curve. My first day and first few weeks will be spent learning everything I can about this great university.

So to start this learning course, today I spent time meeting my senior vice chancellors. I haven’t met with all of them. Today, I got up to speed with development, athletics, and community relations. I also had an intense session on the university’s budget and touched based with the head of the faculty senate, Andrew Wright.

Q. What was the most memorable part of your first day as chancellor?

A. I think it was all the well wishes from the current faculty and staff on the campus and via email. I also received surprise packages from some of the system presidents, vice chancellors, and deans. Everyone has been very welcoming.

Q. Looking back on your first official day as chancellor, are there any thoughts you would like to share with the campus community?

A. I am coming back for day two. I have no reservations about coming in for day two, because I have thoroughly enjoyed my first day.

Q. How would you describe your leadership style and your personal approach to being chancellor?

A. I think a good scientist has a lot of the qualities of a good university leader, because you have to be ethical, a team player, collaborative, and resilient. You have to be patient. Scientists have to have a sense of humility, and we have to be good communicators.

As for my management style, I am very willing to delegate, trust people to the best of their abilities, and to take my time making important decisions. This is something that Steven Sample, who was the president of the University of Southern California, called “artful procrastination” in his recent book, “The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership.”

I also have a very casual manner. I don’t get upset when people make mistakes, because we are all human. All I ask is that people come to work in my office happy.

Q. Tell me something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.

A. Although I am a scientist, I have always had a love of art. Since the age of 14, I have painted very seriously in oils. When I was 18, I had to make a decision on whether to become a scientist or go to the Glasgow School of Art. I chose science, but never lost my love of art.

Also, not so surprising to those who know me, but I usually commute to work on two wheels or my orange MGB. It’s an old British car from the ’70s.

Q. Is there anything else you would like to say?

A. I think it’s important to know that Janessa and I didn’t choose this position lightly. Our intention is to stay here for the long haul and to help the University of Arkansas at Little Rock reach its full potential.