Dear Golden Lion Family,
Over the past year, I have shared openly with our campus community about the changing realities facing higher education nationwide and the importance of ensuring that the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff remains strong, sustainable, and positioned for long-term success. Like many institutions across the country, UAPB is operating in an environment shaped by enrollment shifts, financial pressures, workforce transformation, evolving student expectations, and increasing demands for institutional accountability and measurable outcomes.
As Arkansas’s only public 1890 land-grant HBCU, we must respond thoughtfully and strategically to the changing realities facing higher education while remaining firmly focused on our mission and the students we serve.
With that in mind, the University is beginning a comprehensive institutional strategic alignment process known as The Next Roar. Rooted in UAPB’s legacy of resilience, impact, and opportunity, The Next Roar reflects a forward-looking vision centered on innovation, operational stewardship, academic excellence, and long-term sustainability. More importantly, it positions UAPB to better serve students, adapt to an evolving higher education landscape, and build toward the University’s next era of growth and success.
This realignment is part of a broader institutional strategy already underway that includes:
- strengthening enrollment and student recruitment efforts through Pride RISES;
- modernizing institutional operations and accountability structures;
- aligning resources more effectively with student success priorities;
- evaluating operational efficiencies across the University;
- and conducting a national search for a Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. This person will help lead the next chapter of academic innovation, strategic growth, and student-centered excellence at UAPB.
On May 21, I formally notified the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees of the University’s intent to begin a strategic alignment and sustainability planning process. It will occur in two phases:
Phase I—Administrative Strategic Alignment
Phase I, Administrative Strategic Alignment, focuses on strengthening operational sustainability through the review of administrative structures, reporting relationships, vacancy management, operational workflows, and institutional resource alignment. This phase is designed to improve organizational effectiveness, streamline operations, and better position the University to support its long-term strategic priorities.
Phase II—Academic Strategic Alignment and Academic Sustainability Review
Following the completion of Phase I, the University will begin Phase II, Academic Strategic Alignment and Academic Sustainability Review. This process will focus on academic sustainability, student demand, workforce alignment, instructional effectiveness, academic innovation, and long-term academic viability while incorporating shared governance engagement and consultation consistent with University policy and accreditation expectations.
The timing and structure of Phase II were intentionally designed to support meaningful shared governance participation and ensure full faculty engagement throughout the academic review process. By beginning the academic review during the 2026–2027 academic year, the University seeks to provide faculty, academic leadership, governance bodies, and institutional stakeholders with the opportunity to participate fully in data review, consultation, planning discussions, and institutional evaluation processes.
As outlined in the Academic Strategic Alignment Framework, certain Phase II recommendations may require formal review and approval by the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees. Any recommendations advanced for consideration would move through established institutional review, shared governance consultation, University of Arkansas System procedures, and applicable accreditation and policy processes.
I want to be clear that no decisions are being made lightly. We recognize that organizational change can create uncertainty and concern. Throughout this process, we are committed to approaching this work with professionalism, thoughtful planning, transparency, institutional stewardship, and a continued focus on our students.
As this process moves forward, the University will provide updates at UAPB.edu/thenextroar, which will serve as the central location for all information related to the strategic alignment process.
I ask for your continued professionalism, engagement, patience, and support as we undertake this important work together. Thank you for your continued commitment to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and to the students and communities we are honored to serve.
Sincerely,
Anthony Graham, Ph.D.
Chancellor | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
