Smith leaving job as UA college dean

The leader of the second-largest college within the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville will be stepping down next year.

Tom Smith will leave his position as dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, the university announced Tuesday. Smith, a professor of special education, will rejoin the faculty of the college’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Smith accepted a five-year appointment as dean in 2010. A search committee will begin reviewing candidates for the dean position in October.

“While leadership transitions are never easy, I believe this is a good time for a leadership change in the college,” Smith said in a statement. “I want to recognize my faculty and staff who have worked very hard helping our college make significant progress over the past five years.”

In a statement, Provost Sharon Gaber praised accomplishments that took place under Smith’s leadership, including a $32 million federal grant awarded last year to establish a program to help low-income Arkansas teenagers with disabilities reach education and career goals.

In fall of last year, the college had 5,200 enrolled students, second only to the university’s arts and sciences college, which had 8,351 students.

— Jaime Adame

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