Ken Warden, commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday announced that she plans to name Ken Warden as commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.
Warden, the associate vice chancellor for compliance and legislative affairs at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, replaces Maria Markham as head of the commission. Markham had held the role since 2016.
Warden previously spent 17 years at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark, where he was the dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology for six years and as the associate vice chancellor for workforce development for one year.
In a news release, Sanders said that Warden’s “extensive leadership experience in higher education makes him the clear choice to serve in this role.”
Warden’s research interests focus on adult learners and non-traditional students, credit and non-credit workforce aligned programs, student retention, and sustainability initiatives on college campuses.
He holds a doctorate in education in workforce development from the University of Arkansas, a master’s in educational leadership from Arkansas Tech University, a bachelor’s in vocational education from the University of Arkansas, and an associate’s in automotive service from Westark Community College, now known as UA-Fort Smith.
“I am humbled and honored to serve as the commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education,” Warden said in the release. “I look forward to working closely with Governor Sanders and Secretary Oliva as we empower Arkansans with education – paving a path to prosperity for all Arkansans.”
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