FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The University of Arkansas has decided that its interim chancellor will take over the position permanently.
During a UA Board of Trustees meeting in Monticello on November 16, the announcement was made that Dr. Charles Robinson will officially take over the position. Robinson was named the interim chancellor in August 2021.
Robinson was one of two finalists seeking the position. He has worked at the university for more than 23 years, beginning as an assistant professor of history in 1999.
Dr. Robinson has proven to be a very good steward of the university and its Land-grant mission during his time as interim Chancellor. He now has the opportunity to cast a broader vision for advancing the university as a leading public research university in the region and raising its status on the national stage. He has a unique ability to inspire others and to relate to the many different constituencies across the university, and I look forward to working with him to help make his tenure as Chancellor a success.
Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt, University of Arkansas President
Robinson holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Houston, a master’s degree in history from Rice University, and a doctorate in history from the University of Houston.
“I’m looking forward to serving our campus in its entirety and greatly appreciate the support and confidence shown in me to be a good steward of the Land-grant mission,” Robinson said.
Students that have worked closely with Dr. Robinson were the most excited to hear the news.
“I’ve never seen somebody such as Chancellor Robinson on campus supporting student events, having conversations with us as students, and just being present,” Jarron Gray said.
Gray is the President of the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and says this decision is long overdue.
“He knows the campus in and out and he’s been around for years, he knows the community,” Gray said.
Gray is just one of many people who threw their support behind Dr. Robinson being selected as the new Chancellor.
“When you know your leader, you want to fight for them and you want to stand behind them,” Kinsey Landry said.
Landry is the president of the Panhellenic Council on the UA campus and says she and others can’t help but be excited about this historic moment.
“All the greek councils have promoted diversity and innovating in that sector so this is a huge leap for just Arkansas in general,” Landry said.
For students like Gray, he says seeing Robinson in the position of the Chancellor of a major university was very personal for him.
“To see a black man in a position of power and do it excellently in the way that he’s been doing it for the past couple of months and over the course of this year is just amazing to see,” Gray said.
