Jones named interim ATU president – talkbusiness.net

Dr. Russell Jones has been named acting interim president of Arkansas Tech University by the ATU Board of Trustees. Dr. Robin Bowen, ATU president, announced in July 2023 she was taking a medical leave of absence.

Jones joined ATU in July 2020 as dean of the College of Business, which has since been renamed the ATU College of Business and Economic Development. The college includes the ATU School of Business and the ATU Department of Agriculture and Tourism. Jones’ faculty rank is professor of accounting.

Since arriving at Arkansas Tech in 2020, Jones has provided university-wide leadership for micro-credentials, workforce development and recruitment/retention initiatives. He is a graduate of Leadership Russellville and is active in civic organizations in the Arkansas River Valley.

Speaking on behalf of the ATU Board of Trustees, Chairman Jim Smith expressed the board’s full support and appreciation of Jones in accepting this appointment and its confidence in his ability to serve ATU well in this position.

“For several years now, Dr. Jones has played an integral role in the advancement of Tech,” said Smith. “While many people know him best as the dean of the College of Business and Economic Development and a member of the faculty, he has a consistent and proven track record of being a leader of several important initiatives of Tech and has a strong depth of knowledge of not only Tech but higher education in Arkansas. He is well regarded throughout the Tech community and the River Valley community and has been an excellent ambassador and face of Tech. The board looks forward to working with him.”

Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology and a master’s degree in information systems from Arkansas State University. He earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Texas at Arlington with a dual major in accounting and information systems.

Jones came to ATU from Arkansas State, where he was the Kathy White Endowed Professor of Management Information Systems (2006-2020). His previous roles at ASU included chair of accounting and information technology (2015-2018), Master of Business Administration director (2009-2012), associate professor of decision sciences (1995-2005) and assistant professor of computer information systems (1989-1995). He also has served as a visiting professor at the University of Caen in France and the University of Otago in New Zealand.

Dr. Keegan Nichols, who has served as acting president of ATU during summer 2023, will continue in her role as vice president for student affairs at Arkansas Tech.