I am pleased to announce that Dr. Sarah Beth Estes has accepted the position of dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences effective July 1.
After a competitive internal search, Dr. Estes was selected to lead the college that forms the liberal arts core of our university. Dr. Estes has served in the role of interim dean for the last year and brings to the position a continuing commitment to advance the UA Little Rock vision of providing excellent teaching, research, and community partnerships.
Dr. Estes served as associate dean both in the former College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and in the College of Social Sciences and Communication at UA Little Rock. In the latter role she focused on supporting research, engagement, and interdisciplinary programs. In 2017, Dr. Estes became the associate provost of Community, Careers and Extended Education, formerly known as the Community Connection Center. In this role, she launched the UA Little Rock Extended Education office that now offers non-credit courses in six areas and brought the “handshake” job recruiting platform to campus. Dr. Estes served on the Faculty Senate from 2007 to 2013, the last two years as vice president.
For much of her time at UA Little Rock, Dr. Estes has been devoted to collaborative initiatives in a wide variety of areas. Of particular importance to her role as dean, Dr. Estes has worked to support curricular innovation including high-impact learning opportunities, career connections, and interdisciplinary education. Her work as the faculty liaison during academic restructuring, and more recently her membership on the Institutional Effectiveness Committee have given her detailed insight to the workings of college administration. The knowledge she has accumulated from her diverse service and administrative roles give her a reliable toolbox of successful strategies for leading a diverse college.
Dr. Estes received her M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology (cum laude) from Hendrix College. She served as an assistant professor in sociology at the University of Cincinnati before coming to UA Little Rock in 2006 to join the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and to serve as coordinator of the gender studies minor. In 2014 she was named Faculty Member of the Year through the UA Little Rock Student Government Association Student Choice Awards.
I am delighted to have someone with Dr. Estes’ experience joining the leadership team. Her commitment to student success, to community engagement, and to the value of a liberal arts education will serve her well in providing inspired leadership as the dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences. Please join me in congratulating Sarah Beth Estes on her appointment.
Christina Drale
Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
