The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees has approved the appointments of Dr. Calvin White Jr. as chancellor of Arkansas State University (A-State) and Ike Wheeler as chancellor of ASU-Newport. The decision was announced during a special meeting held Monday, following recommendations by ASU System President Todd Shields.
White, previously A-State's provost and executive vice chancellor, had been serving as interim chancellor since July, following Shields’ appointment as system president. Wheeler, who has been affiliated with ASU-Newport for over 30 years, stepped into the role of interim chancellor in August 2025 after the departure of Dr. Johnny Moore.
President Shields praised the appointments, citing the experience and vision both leaders bring to their respective institutions. "Calvin has helped shape A-State’s recent growth in enrollment, academics, research, and workforce development," Shields said. "Ike’s three decades of service to ASU-Newport give him a deep understanding of its people, mission, and role in the communities it serves."
Board Chair Robert Rudolph congratulated White and Wheeler during the announcement. "One of our greatest responsibilities is ensuring that our institutions have the right leadership to move them forward," Rudolph said. He emphasized their focus on education’s transformative power, adding, "It’s about people, creating opportunities, changing lives, and preparing students for a brighter future."
During his tenure as A-State provost, White led the institution’s largest division, overseeing 12 academic colleges, the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, and other key units. Since joining A-State in 2023, he has contributed to enrollment growth, campus development, and the launch of Arkansas’ first College of Veterinary Medicine. A native of southeast Arkansas and a first-generation college student, White also holds the distinction of being A-State’s first African American chancellor.
"I am grateful for the confidence shown in me by the Board of Trustees and Dr. Todd Shields," White said. "It is an extraordinary privilege to lead Arkansas State University as chancellor, and I look forward to working with the university community to build on our momentum."
Wheeler’s career at ASU-Newport began over 35 years ago, supporting its growth from a small technical college to a community college serving 4,994 students annually across three campuses. Having held various leadership roles, his most recent position was vice chancellor for institutional advancement, where he was responsible for fundraising, community outreach, and alumni relations.
"It is my highest honor to serve ASU-Newport as chancellor," Wheeler said. "This institution has been my proudest association, and I am deeply appreciative of the confidence shown in me by President Shields and the Board of Trustees."
Both leaders expressed their commitment to fostering student success and continuing institutional growth at their respective campuses. A-State currently serves over 18,000 students, while ASU-Newport operates campuses in Newport, Jonesboro, and Marked Tree and enrolls 2,235 students. Wheeler resides in Swifton and is actively involved with various community organizations, while White, an accomplished historian and educator, has been recognized nationally for his scholarship focused on the Delta region’s African American history.