The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith on Thursday announced the hiring of two deans to fill vacancies in two academic colleges.
Ken Warden, the associate vice chancellor for workforce development at UAFS, has been appointed dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology. Ron Darbeau, the head of the Department of Chemistry and Physics at McNeese State University, will become the dean of the university’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the School of Education.
Both appointments are effective July 1.
Warden came to UAFS in July after 17 years at the Ozark campus of Arkansas Tech University, where, since 2009, he was the chief business and community outreach officer. Before that, he worked as the business and industry coordinator at ATU-Ozark and also taught automotive service at the university.
Warden replaces Georgia Hale, who was promoted to provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UAFS in July. Leroy Cox has been interim dean.
Darbeau has worked at McNeese State University since 1996. He became head of the Department of Chemistry in 2002, and became the head of the Department of Chemistry and Physics in 2012.
Darbeau replaces Mark Arant, who left the university in July to become provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northeastern State University. Jim Belcher has been interim dean.
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