Nikesha Nesbitt appointed dean of University College at A-State

Jonesboro, Arkansas – The University College at Arkansas State University has a new dean, and Calvin White Jr., the provost and executive vice chancellor, announced the appointment this week.

Since the end of the spring semester, Nesbitt has served as the interim dean. As the permanent dean, he will continue to spearhead a number of anticipated adjustments and improvements to University College’s services for all A-State undergraduate students.

“Dr. Nesbitt has worked with the chancellor and me all summer on projects to reorganize programs within University College and across the campus, and she has done an outstanding job in both suggesting improvements and implementing positive change,” White said. “The more we worked with Dr. Nesbitt, the more we realized that the right person for this position was here all along.”

“I’m truly honored that Chancellor Shields and Provost White offered me this opportunity to serve in this capacity. I’m excited and look forward to collaborating with wonderful colleagues across campus to further enhance the student experience,” Nesbitt said. “Together, we will transcend the past and work to champion student success to new levels.”

In June 2006, Nesbitt began working at Arkansas State as a graduate assistant. Two years later, he was hired as a full-time instructor in the department of English and philosophy. She started teaching First-Year Studies in 2009 before transitioning to a full-time advising position at University College. She advanced within the college, spending four years working in the Wilson Advising Center.

She was appointed program director for integrative studies in July 2014 and from January 2017 until 2020 she worked as the associate director of undergraduate studies. In July 2020, she was elevated to associate dean for University College, and in July 2023, she was appointed acting dean of UC.

“She brings a deep knowledge of the operations of the college from years of experience,” White added. “Her collaboration with others to prepare for a new suite of student support services was instrumental in A-State being ready to roll out some of the first initiatives this fall. I know she will provide the important leadership that will guide our additional services set to launch later this fall.”

Nesbitt, who is very active in A-State campus organizations, has held positions as a Faculty Senate representative since 2014, a member of the Honors Council advisory committee since 2013, and a First in the Pack mentor since July 2017. She has volunteered as a Sister-2-Sister faculty adviser as a member of the Emerging Young Alumni Selection Committee for the A-State Alumni Association.

After earning her English degree with a summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Nesbitt went on to complete her English master’s at A-State. She then went on to earn two advanced degrees in education: first, an education specialist with a focus on community college teaching from A-State in 2010; and second, an Ed.D. in educational leadership in 2020.