The University of Arkansas System has named G. Keith Pinchback, Ed.D., as the fourth chancellor at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA).
Pinchback, of Searcy, has served as vice chancellor of institutional advancement at Arkansas State University-Beebe since 2001. He is expected to take over leadership at PCCUA on July 1. He succeeds longtime PCCUA Chancellor Steven Murray, Ed.D., who is retiring June 30 after serving 35 years at the institution in many roles, including the last 12 years as chancellor.
“I’d like to thank the search committee for its hard work in developing an exceptional pool of candidates that resulted in a very narrow decision,” said Donald Bobbitt, Ph.D., president of the UA System. “I am pleased that Dr. Pinchback finished at the top. He brings a wide array of experiences in higher education to the position, along with some business experience that is critically important given the financial challenges facing higher education. I am excited about his vision for PCCUA in that he believes to the very core of his being that higher education is the way to help the communities that PCCUA serves thrive economically and culturally. Dr. Pinchback demonstrated a very keen understanding of the many issues facing the institution and I look forward to working with him to address those challenges head on.”
Pinchback earned a bachelor’s of science degree in journalism with a public relations emphasis in 1992 and a master’s of business administration in 2003, both from Arkansas State University. He also completed a doctorate of educational leadership from ASU in 2011. Before joining ASU-Beebe in 2001, he was regional director of sales and marketing for Balanced Care Corp., director of community relations for St. Bernard’s Behavioral Health, marketing director at Helena Rehabilitation Center and sports editor of The Daily World in Helena. He also served as a sergeant and senior airman in the United States Air Force.
“We are excited for Dr. Pinchback’s arrival on campus and feel like he is the right choice to step into the role and lead our institution into the future,” said Rhonda St. Columbia, vice chancellor of College Advancement/Resource Development at PCCUA and chair of the chancellor search committee. “It was a validating process to learn that so many viable candidates were willing to fill the big shoes that Dr. Murray is leaving behind, but Dr. Pinchback is the right fit for both our institution and the many students and communities we serve.”
The first community college established in Arkansas, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA) is a multi-campus, two-year college serving eastern Arkansas. Since its inception in 1964, the college has grown from an original enrollment of fewer than 250 students in 14 program areas to more than 2,300 students in academic, occupational/technical and continuing education programs and offers 25 associate degree programs. PCCUA has campuses in DeWitt, Helena-W. Helena and Stuttgart.