The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees has approved new chancellors for Arkansas State University and ASU-Newport.
During a special meeting, trustees approved ASU System President Todd Shields’ recommendations to appoint Dr. Calvin White Jr. as chancellor of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and Ike Wheeler as chancellor of ASU-Newport.
White had served as interim chancellor at A-State since July after Shields was named president of the ASU System. Wheeler had served as interim chancellor at ASU-Newport since August 2025.
Shields said the appointments provide leadership and continuity at both institutions as they continue expanding academic opportunities, workforce development and service to communities across Arkansas.
White previously served as executive vice chancellor and provost at A-State, where he was the university’s chief academic officer. He led the Office of Academic Affairs and Research, overseeing 12 academic colleges, the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, A-State Heritage Sites, 2 museums and the university’s Reserve Officer Training Program regiment.
Since joining A-State in 2023, White has played a role in the university’s growth in academics, research and workforce development.
During his tenure, Arkansas State launched Arkansas’ 1st College of Veterinary Medicine in fall 2026. Fall enrollment grew to 18,775 students, while annual enrollment reached 23,430 students.
White, a 1st-generation college student, becomes the 1st African American to serve as chancellor of Arkansas State University. He was also the university’s 1st African American provost.
White said he is grateful for the confidence shown by the Board of Trustees and Shields and called serving as chancellor an extraordinary privilege.
A native Arkansan with ties to the Delta, White is a historian whose research focuses on the African American experience in the Arkansas and Mississippi Delta.
He earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Mississippi and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Central Arkansas.
At ASU-Newport, Wheeler succeeds Dr. Johnny Moore, who announced in July 2025 that he would leave the college to become president of Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
Wheeler has been associated with ASU-Newport for more than 30 years and previously served briefly as interim chancellor in 2021.
He was named vice chancellor for leadership and community engagement in December 2019 and later became vice chancellor for institutional advancement.
Wheeler said serving as chancellor is his highest honor and that his connection with ASU-Newport spans approximately 35 years.
During Wheeler’s time with the institution, ASU-Newport has grown from a small technical college with about 600 students into a 3-campus institution with enrollment of 2,235 students.
ASU-Newport, established in 2001, serves 4,994 students annually through campuses in Newport, Jonesboro and Marked Tree.
Wheeler lives in Swifton and earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Arkansas State University.
The Board of Trustees also approved a permanent water line easement for City Water and Light of Jonesboro to support construction of the Career Readiness Education & Skills Training Center on the A-State campus.
Trustees also approved an application for an Arkansas Department of Human Services grant to continue participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
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