Dr. Calvin White Jr., Ike Wheeler (Images provided by A-State)
Arkansas State University and ASU-Newport now have permanent leaders following action Monday by the Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees.
The board approved System President Todd Shields’ recommendations to appoint Dr. Calvin White Jr. as chancellor of Arkansas State University and Ike Wheeler as chancellor of ASU-Newport during a special meeting.
White, who previously served as A-State’s executive vice chancellor and provost, has been serving as interim chancellor since July, when Shields became system president.
Wheeler, previously ASU-Newport’s vice chancellor for institutional advancement, has served as interim chancellor since August 2025.
“These appointments provide strong leadership and continuity at two institutions with tremendous opportunities ahead,” Shields said.
White becomes the first African American to serve as chancellor of A-State. He was also the university’s first African American provost.
Since joining A-State in 2023, White has served as the university’s chief academic officer and led the Office of Academic Affairs and Research, which includes 12 academic colleges and several other university programs and institutions.
The university said White has played a role in academic growth, research advancement and workforce development. During his tenure, A-State launched Arkansas’ first College of
Veterinary Medicine in fall 2026. Fall enrollment has grown to 18,775 students, while annual enrollment has reached 23,430.
White is a native Arkansan and historian whose research focuses on the African American experience in the Arkansas and Mississippi Delta. He earned 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. “It is an extraordinary privilege to serve as chancellor of Arkansas State University.”
Wheeler succeeds Dr. Johnny Moore, who announced in July 2025 that he would leave ASU-Newport to become president of Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
Wheeler has been associated with ASU-Newport for more than 30 years and has held several leadership positions at the institution. He became vice chancellor for leadership and community engagement in 2019 and assumed his current institutional advancement role in 2023.
During his career, Wheeler has been part of ASU-Newport’s growth from a technical college with about 600 students to a three-campus institution with annual enrollment of 2,235 students.
“It is my highest honor to serve ASU-Newport as chancellor,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler is a Swifton resident and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arkansas State University.
ASU-Newport has campuses in Newport, Jonesboro, and Marked Tree and serves Northeast Arkansas as a two-year community college.
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ every weekday morning and afternoon. White River Now updates are also aired on weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Catch NBC News around the top of every hour on 1340 KBTA.
