UAHT Chancellor Departing for New Position, Laura Clark Named Interim Chancellor

(University of Arkansas Community College Hope-Texarkana)

Christine Holt, chancellor of University of Arkansas Community College Hope-Texarkana (UAHT), announced that she is leaving her post for a new position after nearly four years at the helm of the institution.

Laura Clark, UAHT vice chancellor for academics, has been named as interim chancellor while the search for Holt’s replacement is underway.

A press release from the college said that under Holt’s leadership, UAHT’s fall-to-fall enrollment has increased for the past three years, while its spring enrollment was up 10.4% this year.

During Holt’s tenure, UAHT also increased the tuition discount to 90% for full-time employees. Holt also convened a member of the UAHT Board of Visitors, employers, college personnel, the Office of Skills Development and the Arkansas Community Colleges to launch the Fiber Optics Technician Program.

Holt said in the release that until she leaves her post, she will remain “all in” for the college’s programs. She has accepted a job as deputy chancellor at State Center Community College District, based in Fresno, California.

“UAHT is clearly one of our many two-year institutions that is effectively making a difference in the region it serves and providing world-class opportunities for students,” UA System President Jay Silveria said in the release. “I want to thank Dr. Holt for her contributions to the college and the UA System, while also viewing this as an opportunity not only to carry on the success and momentum underway in the community, but to also ensure future growth and success at UAHT.”

Silveria named Clark as interim chancellor effective July 1.

Clark has served at the campus for nearly 30 years, including as dean of health professions before becoming vice chancellor for academics. She also served as practical nursing program director, Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium (ARNEC) program chair, Certified Nurse Assistant program chair and as a full-time practical nursing instructor.

“I appreciate Laura Clark’s willingness to once again take on the role of interim chancellor during this important time of transition at UAHT,” Silveria said in the release. “With her vast experience on campus, impressive institutional knowledge and passion for seeing students succeed, she is well-equipped to lead UAHT and to keep the institution moving forward as we plan the process for ultimately naming the next chancellor.”

As vice chancellor for academics, Clark led the reactivation of the paramedic program and was involved in the college joining ARNEC. Under Clark’s direction, the college initiated the associate of applied science Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registured Nurse (RN) degree, including expanding the curriculum design to an evening program on the Texarkana campus.

Clark also was instrumental in the design, development and implementation of the campus textbook program and provided insight and oversight into the creation of the Hope and Texarkana Collegiate Academies. She also managed absorption of the Secondary Career and Technical Education Centers on both UAHT campuses.

More recently, Clark developed and guided the approval of the James Black School of Bladesmithing, making historic arts an addition to the UAHT curriculum, and helped UAHT design, develop and launch the state’s first solar education lab.