During a special meeting, the ASU System Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Todd Shields as the fourth president of the ASU System, effective July 1. Shields has served as chancellor of Arkansas State University since 2022.
At the recommendation of interim president Dr. Robin Myers, the board also approved the appointment of Dr. Calvin White as interim chancellor of A-State beginning July 1.
Shields succeeds Dr. Brendan Kelly, who departed the system in December to become president of Eastern Michigan University. Myers will continue serving as interim system president until Shields officially assumes the role.
Board Chair Robert Rudolph praised both appointments following the board’s executive session.
“I am honored to welcome Dr. Shields as the president of the ASU System and to appoint Dr. White as interim chancellor at A-State. These two distinguished leaders represent the very best of higher education leadership – visionary, student-centered, collaborative and deeply committed to the future of Arkansas,” Rudolph said.
He added that Shields has already demonstrated “transformational leadership” through innovation, academic growth and community engagement during his tenure in Jonesboro.
Shields said he was grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Arkansas higher education in a broader capacity.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the confidence the ASU System Board of Trustees has placed in me through my appointment as president,” Shields said. “I am grateful for their trust, their leadership and their steadfast commitment to expanding educational opportunity across our state and beyond.”
While preparing for the transition, Shields reflected on the relationships he and his wife, Karen, built during their time in Jonesboro.
“We have had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community partners who believe deeply in this university and its ability to transform lives and strengthen our region,” he said.
Shields also emphasized that his support for A-State will continue in his new role.
“As system president, I will continue to be a strong advocate and resource for A-State, working to ensure that the university has every opportunity to build upon its success and continue changing lives,” Shields added.
White, who joined A-State in 2022 after previously serving at the University of Arkansas, said his focus during the interim period will remain centered on student success and community impact.
“A-State belongs to the people of Arkansas and throughout this transition, my focus will remain firmly on the mission that defines us: educating students, expanding opportunity, conducting impactful research and strengthening the communities we serve,” White said.
During Shields’ four years as chancellor, A-State experienced nearly 30% enrollment growth and launched several major initiatives, including the construction of Arkansas’ first College of Veterinary Medicine and the development of the Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing. The university also partnered with Arkansas Northeastern College and ASU-Newport to create the Career Readiness Education & Skills Training (CREST) Center in Jonesboro.
Before arriving at A-State, Shields spent several years in leadership positions at the University of Arkansas, including dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and dean of the Graduate School and International Education. He also helped establish the Diane D. Blair Center of Southern Politics and Society.
Earlier this year, Shields was named the 2026 Rural Advocate of the Year by the Arkansas Rural Development Commission.
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