LITTLE ROCK (Monday, Nov. 22, 2021) — University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt has named a search committee to assist him in finding the next vice president of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UADA).

Dr. Mark J. Cochran, vice president for agriculture since 2011, retired Sept. 30 and Chuck Culver, assistant vice president and director of external relations at UADA, has been leading the division as interim vice president since Oct. 1.

Bobbitt is leading the national search for the UA System, while the search committee will cultivate a short list of candidates to recommend to Bobbitt before taking his pick to the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas for final approval.

“The Division of Agriculture is an integral piece of the UA System and reaches Arkansans in meaningful ways in every county of the state,” Bobbitt said. “I’m energized to work with the diverse group that makes up the search committee to find the right fit to lead the division, and eager to see a rich talent pool of candidates and the many different visions and perspectives they possess that will help the division carry out its important mission in this state and beyond.”

The committee will begin its work in December, which includes profiling the position and listing and promoting it before the end of the year. A search webpage will also be developed as a reference for candidates and a hub for search-related news.

University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Search Committee

The search committee’s members include representatives from key agricultural constituents, UADA faculty and staff, a chancellor of another UA System institution and a member of the Board of Trustees. It includes: