Anthony Graham Named Chancellor of University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Anthony Graham has been appointed the next chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) following a unanimous vote by the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees on Friday. He is expected to start on July 1.

With over 60 applicants vying for the position, Graham was selected based on his extensive experience in higher education. He currently serves as a tenured professor and previously held the position of interim chancellor, provost, and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.

“As chancellor, one of my priorities is to ensure that UAPB thrives as a catalyst for social and economic mobility,” Graham stated. “Our mission is to provide students with a strong return on investment by expanding experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for meaningful careers and lifelong success.”

UA System President Jay B. Silveria praised Graham’s leadership qualities and his understanding of UAPB’s unique role within the educational landscape. “Dr. Graham has demonstrated his understanding of its important role and brings the experience necessary to lead this proud institution into a new era of prominence,” Silveria said.

Before his tenure at Winston-Salem State University, Graham was the dean of the College of Education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He began his career as a high school English teacher, emphasizing teacher quality and community engagement throughout his professional journey.

Graham expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead UAPB during a Zoom meeting with the Board of Trustees. “It is truly an honor to serve, and I am humbled and excited to begin this work,” he said. Graham noted the importance of working with the university’s faculty, staff, alumni, and partners to foster a culture of excellence and student success.

The search for a new chancellor was competitive and involved multiple rounds of interviews and campus visits. Perry Stuckey, a UAPB alumnus and retired senior vice president at Eastman Chemical Co., chaired the advisory search committee. “I’m very proud of how the committee came together,” Stuckey said. “I look forward to seeing Dr. Graham’s vision for UAPB unfold in the years to come.”

Graham’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in Secondary English Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a doctorate in curriculum and teaching from the same institution. He has published extensively and served as managing editor for the historic peer-review journal, The Negro Educational Review.

As UAPB embarks on construction of a new $36 million Student Engagement Center, Graham will lead efforts to enhance the university’s stature and address challenges related to resources and accessibility. He emphasized that UAPB’s legacy of producing transformative leaders must guide the institution’s future initiatives.

In his vision for UAPB, Graham stressed the importance of fostering an environment focused on access, affordability, research, and entrepreneurship, ensuring the university continues to meet the evolving needs of its students and community.