LITTLE ROCK (Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026) — The national search to find the next chancellor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock officially launches this week with the release of the leadership position profile and search website.

The UA Little Rock Chancellor Leadership Profile identifies key attributes desired in the next chancellor, including strong leadership, strategic growth experience, financial acumen and superb communication skills to “effectively promote the value of a vibrant, metropolitan university for its students and community, strengthen its presence and engagement in the City of Little Rock, and position it for continued growth, relevance, and impact.”

A search advisory committee, formed in July, is assisting University of Arkansas System President Jay B. Silveria in the process to identify candidates for the position. The committee is chaired by Brian Berry, Ph.D., vice provost of research and graduate school dean at the institution, and includes broad, multi-disciplinary representatives from the UA Little Rock campus community, the UA Board of Trustees, and local and county supporters of the institution.

Current UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale, Ph.D., announced in May a planned retirement for June 30, 2027, after more than 40 years in higher education. She was named acting chancellor at UA Little Rock in early 2019, before being named chancellor later that year.

The profile will be utilized to recruit potential candidates by Greenwood Asher & Associates, a premier executive search and leadership advisory firm that is assisting UA Little Rock and the UA System in the search process.

“I appreciate the commitment and diligent work of the advisory committee and our search team to help identify candidates with the qualities and qualifications we are looking for in our next UA Little Rock Chancellor,” Silveria said. “Finding the right leader is critical for the UA System, the City of Little Rock, and the state, as we seek a chancellor who can build on the excellent foundation laid by the institution’s faculty, staff, students and senior leaders. I am excited to see how this process unfolds.”

The search process now enters a recruitment phase that is likely to take several months, Berry said. He said the goal of the advisory committee is to develop a competitive pool of candidates to assist Silveria, who is tasked with recommending a finalist to the Board of Trustees, which is responsible for approving chancellor appointments.

“Across campus, there is a strong sense of momentum and optimism about UA Little Rock’s future. The university is building on significant progress, and this next chapter presents an opportunity to accelerate its impact on Little Rock, the state of Arkansas, and the UA System.,” Berry said. “We’re thrilled to put our reputation out there on the national stage and begin seeing the kinds of leaders who have their own unique visions of moving us into the future.”

More information about the open chancellor position — including how to inquire and apply — can be found at a site created to keep campus, the public and potential applicants informed about the search.

The UALR Chancellor Advisory Search Committee includes: