The dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences will step down on Aug. 1, University of Arkansas officials announced Monday.
Robin Roberts, who has served as dean of the department since 2011, will become a faculty member in the college’s department of English.
Roberts, who is reportedly stepping down because of a “stalemate” with department leaders over an evaluation system, raised more than $22 million from donors and hired 21 new tenure-track faculty and eight new staff members during her two years as dean.
“I’ve enjoyed serving as dean of Fulbright College,” said Roberts. “It has been a busy and rewarding two years.”
Todd Shields, dean of the university’s Graduate School and International Education, will serve as interim dean while a national search is conducted to permanently fill the position.
“Soon we will start the process through which we will identify a permanent dean for the college,” said Sharon L. Gaber, UA provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “I expect we will attract a large and extremely accomplished pool of candidates.”
