LITTLE ROCK (Wednesday, July 2, 2025) – University of Arkansas System President Jay B. Silveria today announced the formation of an advisory committee to assist in the search for the next chancellor of the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT).
Former Chancellor Dr. Christine Holt announced in May that she was stepping down July 1, while Laura Clark, vice chancellor for academics at UAHT, was named interim chancellor. Chris Thomason, vice president for strategic and community college partnerships for the UA System, will lead the search, working with the committee to advise Silveria as he seeks a candidate to recommend to the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas for final approval.
“With veteran leadership in place at UAHT and strong momentum on campus, there is no pressure to rush the process of identifying a strong pool of national candidates interested in becoming the next chancellor at UAHT,” Silveria said. “We will work to carefully execute a search to find the right fit for the job, which is critical to UAHT’s continued success. I want to thank in advance the very strong members of this search committee for their commitment to their communities and this campus to ensure a successful search process and a bright future for the institution and its students, faculty and staff.”
The committee, listed below, includes key members of the campus community, alumni, and local education, business and municipal leaders from both campus communities. To keep interested parties, the campus and community up to date, UAHT is launching a search website that will be updated with news regarding the search and the process.
Thomason will guide the committee with the help of two UAHT staff members, Wendy Jones, executive assistant, and Casey Curtis, communications coordinator at UAHT.
“This institution has made immeasurable progress over the last couple decades and has tremendous momentum heading into the future that we’d obviously like to keep going,” Thomason said. “The chancellor position at UAHT is critical not only for the success of the campus but for the entire region. The integral role the institution plays within this puzzle is a piece we need to correctly fit with the right leader. I know I speak for all of the search committee members in saying that we are excited and ready to embark on this process.”
The Search Committee Includes:
| Name | Representation |
| Shelby Brown | UAHT Foundation Board Chair |
| Freddie Smith | UAHT Board of Visitors Chair |
| Robin Hickerson | Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce CEO |
| Anna Powell | Hope-Hempstead County Economic Development Corp. |
| Jonathan Crossley | Hope Public Schools Superintendent |
| Lloyd Jackson | Texarkana Arkansas Public Schools Superintendent |
| Brad Sheppard | Faculty Senate President, Funeral Service Faculty |
| Jennifer Cunningham | Dean UAHT, Texarkana Campus |
| Sonya Thomas | Director of Career Pathways |
| Michael Cox | Dean Math, Science, and Social Sciences |
| Jennifer Teresa | Dean of Business, Trade, and Industry |
| Misty Hughes | Dean of Institutional Effectiveness |
Non-Voting Leadership and Staff:
| Name | Committee Duty |
| Chris Thomason, UA System | UA System Search Lead |
| Wendy Jones, UAHT | Assistant to the Committee |
| Casey Curtis, UAHT | Communication Coordinator for the Search |