AICU seeking applications for President and CEO

The council of Arkansas Independent Colleges and Universities (AICU) was founded in March 1954 as the Arkansas foundation of Associated Colleges. The AICU began as an organization to provide funding for the state’s private colleges and universities, but has evolved to provide public policy advocacy to support legislative policy for the independent sector. The President is the chief executive officer of the corporation and provides professional leadership, and, with the support of the Board of Directors, executes the mission of AICU. The President is the chief spokesperson for the public value of private education in Arkansas. The President serves as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors. The President oversees all employees, contracts for administrative, statistical and other services, and provides for all necessary assistance for the corporation’s Board of Directors.

The AICU is seeking a President whose collaborative and strong leadership will enhance the contributions that Arkansas’s private colleges and universities make to a broad set of stakeholders that include the citizens of Arkansas, students, and alumni of the member campuses.

View the job description and learn how to apply here.

Lyon welcomes professional esports player to coach esports program

Lyon College is now the only college in Arkansas with a professional esports player as the coach for its esports program. Lyon’s esports program is an official varsity program, affiliated with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). Lyon College Esports Coach Austin Lonsert started his professional career as a paid competitor in 2014 with Blizzard Entertainment’s (BE) Heroes of the Storm. He played with three professional organizations—Lunatik Gaming, SK Gaming, and Cognitive Gaming, where … …more

JBU Establishes Center for Faith and Flourishing

With commitments of more than half a million dollars, John Brown University announced today the establishment of the Center for Faith and Flourishing (CFF) at JBU. The center will provide programming, curriculum, partnerships and activities dedicated to exploring the relationship between Christianity and human flourishing. Funding for the center’s operation will be provided by a $143,500 grant from the Charles Koch Foundation and a $430,500 grant from an anonymous donor, and includes support for CFF’s … …more

Charles King Named Vice President for Institutional Advancement of Philander Smith College

Philander Smith College has appointed Charles King  as vice president for institutional advancement. In this role, he will lead all fund development activities and oversee public relations and marketing, special events and alumni relations. King has over ten years of higher education fundraising experience gained from posts at Jackson State University, Prairie View A&M University Foundation and Langston University. Most recently, he served as senior major gifts officer at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. A native of … …more

Harding University Graduate School of Business expands, adds new master’s, dual degrees

The Harding University Graduate School of Business has added to its educational offerings with the launch of an online Master of Science in Information Systems and dual degree options for undergraduate students, combining their BBA with an MSIS or Master of Business Administration. The MSIS is a 30-credit hour program with concentrations in data analytics and information assurance and security. Every course includes an emphasis in ethics, systems thinking, analytical and critical thinking skills, collaborative … …more