UA Little Rock Alumnus Named Associate Dean at Clemson University

Andrew Pyle’s passion for teaching and student success has guided his career in higher education and recently led to his appointment as associate dean of undergraduate learning at Clemson University.

Pyle earned a Master of Arts in Applied Communication Studies from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2011.

“I was honored to be selected,” Pyle said. “The other candidates are really wonderful, highly qualified colleagues of mine, so it was humbling to be chosen for the role.”

As associate dean of undergraduate learning, Pyle will help shape Clemson’s undergraduate experience by overseeing initiatives related to student learning and the university’s general education curriculum. His work begins by listening, building relationships, and identifying opportunities for improvement.

“My primary goal starting in this new role is to get a good sense of where we have opportunities and where things aren’t working like they should in the General Education curriculum,” Pyle said. “I anticipate my first 6-12 months will primarily be learning the landscape, building relationships, and making sense of data to get a picture of where there are bottlenecks or where things need to be adjusted or updated.”

Pyle said his enthusiasm for helping students learn and grow was shaped by the teachers and mentors who invested in him throughout his academic journey, including several faculty members at UA Little Rock.

“I’ve had such wonderful teachers and mentors during my academic career, including some amazing folks in applied communication at UA Little Rock,” Pyle said. “In my work as a professor, I always look for ways to connect with and create opportunities for students. I’m excited about this new role because it is all about ensuring that our undergraduate student experience is a strong one.”

Pyle’s connection to UA Little Rock began while he was completing his undergraduate degree at Ouachita Baptist University. During that time, he took a course taught by Dr. Linda Pledger, a retired UA Little Rock faculty member who encouraged him to consider the university’s graduate program in Applied Communication Studies.

“She knew that I was interested in an academic career, and she recommended that I take a look at UA Little Rock for my graduate studies,” Pyle said.

After meeting with then-department chair Dr. Rob Ulmer, Pyle said he quickly realized he had found the right place to continue his education.

“He convinced me that UA Little Rock was the right place for me to continue my academic journey,” Pyle said. “He was right. I had a marvelous experience with the wonderful people in applied communication.”

Those experiences proved foundational to the educator and leader he would become.

Pyle credits his graduate assistantship and the mentorship of faculty members with shaping the way he teaches, mentors, and leads today. He specifically highlighted the influence of Dr. Kristen McIntyre, who served as both an instructor and supervisor during his time as a graduate assistant.

“Dr. McIntyre’s course and her mentorship during my time as a GA shaped the way that I teach and train others, and those are lessons I still apply to my teaching and mentoring today,” Pyle said.

He also pointed to Ulmer’s leadership as a model he continues to follow.

“I try to emulate his leadership style,” Pyle said. “He was kind and supportive, but also challenged me to grow and develop. He had the humility to own his mistakes, which is unfortunately atypical in organizational structures.”

Before being named associate dean, Pyle served as interim director of Clemson’s National Scholars Program and as undergraduate coordinator for Clemson’s Department of Communication. He said those experiences provided valuable preparation for his new responsibilities.

Looking ahead, Pyle hopes his work will strengthen the student experience for future generations of Clemson students.

“My hope is that I will be able to meaningfully contribute to work that will improve the undergraduate student experience at Clemson,” Pyle said.

For students interested in pursuing careers in higher education, communication, or academic leadership, Pyle encourages gaining firsthand experience in research and teaching while staying patient as leadership opportunities develop.

Faculty jobs are research positions at most institutions, so students need to understand that from the outset, Pyle said. 

“Additionally, I would encourage students to pursue training and development as teachers,” he said.

For those considering administrative roles, he offered a simple piece of advice.

“Don’t rush into an administrative role simply because it’s available,” Pyle said. “Think about your interests and skills, as well as all the ways that moving into an administrative role will change your work dynamic. It’s a big change. Make sure you’re ready for that kind of upheaval.”