The Arkansas State University System has officially appointed permanent leadership for two of its campuses, following a decision made Monday by the ASU System Board of Trustees. Dr. Calvin White Jr. has been named chancellor of Arkansas State University (A-State), while Ike Wheeler has been appointed chancellor of ASU-Newport.
The appointments, recommended by ASU System President Dr. Todd Shields, were approved during a special meeting of the board. Both White and Wheeler have been serving as interim chancellors for their respective institutions—White since July, when Shields transitioned to his current role as system president, and Wheeler since August 2025.
“These appointments provide strong leadership and continuity at two institutions with tremendous opportunities ahead,” Shields stated.
Dr. White, a native Arkansan and A-State’s first African American chancellor, has been with the university since 2023. He previously served as executive vice chancellor and provost, overseeing A-State’s academic affairs, including its 12 colleges and other programs. During his tenure, the university launched Arkansas’ first College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall of 2026, and student enrollment saw significant growth, with annual enrollment reaching 23,430 and fall enrollment climbing to 18,775 students. White holds a doctorate in history from the University of Mississippi and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Central Arkansas.
“I am grateful to the ASU System Board of Trustees for their confidence in me and to Dr. Todd Shields for his trust and support,” White said in a statement. “It is an extraordinary privilege to serve as chancellor of Arkansas State University.”
Ike Wheeler, a longtime leader at ASU-Newport, brings more than three decades of experience with the institution to his new role. Wheeler has served in various leadership positions over the years, including vice chancellor for leadership and community engagement starting in 2019. Most recently, he was vice chancellor for institutional advancement, a role he assumed in 2023. Under his leadership, ASU-Newport grew from a technical college with approximately 600 students to a three-campus institution serving 2,235 students annually. Wheeler succeeds Dr. Johnny Moore, who left ASU-Newport in 2025 to lead Rust College in Mississippi. Wheeler resides in Swifton and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arkansas State University.
“It is my highest honor to serve ASU-Newport as chancellor,” Wheeler said.
ASU-Newport, a two-year community college, operates campuses in Newport, Jonesboro, and Marked Tree, serving Northeast Arkansas students with workforce development and academic programs.
Both leaders begin their permanent roles at a time when the ASU System continues efforts to expand its academic programs and enhance access to higher education in Arkansas.