JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas State University has appointed William McLean as its permanent provost and executive vice chancellor, Chancellor Calvin White Jr. announced Oct. 5. McLean had been serving in the role on an interim basis since July.
As the university’s chief academic officer, McLean will oversee its academic and research operations. His initial priorities include conducting searches for permanent deans of the College of Agriculture and the College of Engineering and Computer Science, university officials said.
“He is calm under pressure, a problem solver and a consensus builder who brings people together to move our university forward,” White stated. “He understands our history and culture, but also where we are going.”
McLean holds both a bachelor's degree (1994) and master's degree (1995) in political science from A-State, where he was a first-generation college graduate. He earned his doctorate in political science from the University of New Orleans in 2003.
McLean began his academic career at the University of Northern Iowa, returning to Arkansas State University in 2002 as an assistant professor of political science. Over his years at A-State, he directed the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program before serving a decade-long tenure as chair of the Department of Political Science starting in 2011. During his time as chair, McLean expanded the university’s online MPA program to enroll more than 300 students, the university said.
“My career has been shaped by A-State at every stage,” McLean said. “I arrived as a student, returned as a faculty member, and have spent more than two decades seeing how this university changes lives. That’s why I approach the role of provost with such care.”
McLean moved into university-level administration in 2022 as associate vice chancellor for faculty relations. He has also served as senior vice provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and research prior to his interim appointment as provost and executive vice chancellor.
During his time in senior leadership, McLean has been involved in developing and launching key initiatives, including the College of Veterinary Medicine. His contributions also extend to introducing new degree programs, accelerated academic pathways, professional advising systems, and faculty and student support initiatives. According to the university, he has also worked on research and workforce efforts, including projects such as the Windgate Art and Innovation Center, the Career Readiness Education and Skills Training Center, the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence, and the Institute for Rural Initiatives.
“I want every student who comes to A-State to feel supported from the first day and to leave with a degree that opens doors,” McLean said. “To get there, we will invest in great teaching, grow our research and creative activity, and tear down barriers along the way.”
McLean continues as a professor of political science, with teaching and research interests in public administration, public policy, political behavior, and American political institutions. Originally from Keiser, McLean lives in Jonesboro, where he has been involved in the community through the Jonesboro Parks Advisory Committee and the Jonesboro Economical Transportation System.