The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas today unanimously approved UA System President Jay B. Silveria’s recommendation to name Ricky Tompkins, Ed.D., as the next chancellor at University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT).

The UA Board called a special meeting held in person and via Zoom at the UA System – Cammack Campus in Little Rock to consider the recommendation. Tompkins, currently the vice president for technical education and workforce development at North Arkansas College, is expected to begin his new role as UAHT chancellor on Feb. 1, 2026.

Announced as one of three finalists for the position in November, Tompkins, 52, has a long history of service to advancing higher education in many roles in Arkansas at several institutions and with Arkansas Community Colleges (ACC).

“Dr. Tompkins brings energy and passion for ensuring those around him have opportunities to advance and succeed, and he stood out as the right fit to continue the college’s innovative approach to engaging with the communities and students it serves,” Silveria said. “All of the finalists were high-quality choices and could succeed at UAHT, and the search advisory committee should be commended for its work to ensure a bright future at the campus. I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Tompkins and the UAHT team as they continue serving as a model for student success and community engagement within the UA System.”

Tompkins earned a doctorate from UA Little Rock, a master's degree from Henderson State University, and a bachelor's degree from East Texas Baptist University. He is previously director of the Center for Student Success for Arkansas Community Colleges, vice president for learning and chief academic officer at Northwest Arkansas Community College, and director of the Institute for Corporate and Public Safety. He has taught on the college and university levels, published in academic and professional journals, and keynoted and presented at higher education meetings and conferences nationally. He was a 2007 and 2009 Bellwether Award Finalist for Community College innovation, graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College, and completed Arkansas Leader, a Command School sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the UA System Criminal Justice Institute.

“Considering the level of expertise and dedication to student success of the other finalists, I’m honored to have been identified by the committee, chosen by President Silveria, and approved by the Board of Trustees to be the next chancellor at UAHT,” Tompkins said. “I have incredible respect for what UAHT has accomplished before me, and I can’t wait to join the incredible team on campus and get to work continuing the high level of success that’s already been established. I see many opportunities to continue growing new ideas to serve the Hope-Texarkana communities and impacting the lives of students and the workforce in that part of the state.”

An advisory search committee — chaired by Misty Hughes, dean of institutional effectiveness at UAHT, and led by Chris Thomason, vice president for strategic and community college partnerships for the UA System —began the national search process in July. Three finalists were selected and each made campus visits and held public forums during their individual visits that month.