UA Little Rock Chancellor Drale Honored with Prestigious E. Joseph Savoie Leadership Award from CASE District IV
UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale has been awarded the E. Joseph Savoie Chief Executive Leadership Award by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District IV, a prestigious honor recognizing transformational leadership in higher education.
The E. Joseph Savoie Leadership Award honors a District IV president or chancellor who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancement, collaboration, and innovation within their institution.
Under Drale’s leadership, UA Little Rock has achieved its strongest enrollment growth in 15 years, including a 29% increase in freshman students and an 18% increase in transfer students. Her focus on affordability has led to the creation and expansion of high-impact programs like the Half-Off Scholarship and Trojan Guarantee, reducing tuition costs by more than $3.8 million for Arkansas students.
“When I took this position 5½ years ago, my institution had a lot of challenges, and we were looking for a way forward,” Drale said. “I knew that my job was to build a clear and coherent path forward. I remember sitting at my desk with a blank sheet of paper in front of me and writing the word focus in big letters in the middle of the page. We had to come back to the center of our mission and focus on the things that defined our purpose as part of the educational landscape in Arkansas.”
Drale was selected for her steady, visionary leadership during one of the most challenging periods in UA Little Rock’s history.
“Chancellor Drale has led UA Little Rock through a pivotal period with clarity and purpose,” 2025 CASE District IV Conference Chair Rebecca Nievar said. “Her ability to drive meaningful change while keeping students at the center of every decision exemplifies the very best in higher education leadership.”
Drale has remained committed to student success, institutional integrity, and collaborative leadership. Her efforts helped the university stabilize and grow, with this past fall marking a 40% increase in applications for the upcoming semester. The university’s Centennial Campaign has already surpassed $215 million raised toward its $250 million goal, with nearly two years remaining in the campaign that will celebrate the university’s 100th anniversary.
“She listens deeply, plans intentionally, and never loses sight of the bigger picture,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “She brought clarity, focus, and strength to every decision, refusing to let circumstances define our future. She placed student success and access to affordable, high-quality education at the center of everything. That steady leadership is producing real results.”
Drale concluded with a powerful reflection on education’s resilience and impact in times of adversity.
“Every institution shares a belief, an essential faith in the transformational power of education,” Drale said. “No matter how difficult things may be or what might be taken away, we don’t have to stop helping students discover that power. We can do it every day as long as we focus and keep the faith.”
About CASE District IV
CASE District IV represents professionals and institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, providing support and recognition for excellence in alumni relations, communications, development, and marketing.