The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts has selected four finalists to serve as its next dean of academic affairs.
The dean of academic affairs is the lead academic administrator for the campus. The dean provides leadership, supervision and evaluation to faculty members and staff within the academic component of the institution. The dean also determines teaching schedules and oversees the planning and implementation of statewide professional development and outreach opportunities for teachers around the state through digital learning, among other duties.
Bob Gregory, the current dean, is leaving the school at the end of the semester to relocate near family out of state. Gregory has served as dean of academic affairs since Spring 2013 when he was named interim dean. He later was appointed permanently to the role after a national search. He served as a mathematics instructor at ASMSA prior to becoming dean.
“The search for the new dean has felt, at times, daunting,” said Dan Kostopulos, chair of the Humanities Department and the search committee for the new dean. “Trying to find a candidate who can continue the legacy of student and faculty support established by Dean Gregory, as well as provide new leadership as we continue to grow our arts program has been challenging. However, I am confident that we have narrowed the search to the four best candidates who can not only meet but exceed our expectations in all of these categories.”
The finalists are (in alphabetical order):
-
- Hungsin Chin, supervisory chair for the Russell Math and Science Center at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, Ala. Chin has served as supervisory chair at ASFA since 2006 and previously served as a mathematics instructor at AFSA from 1998-2006. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and statistics from Southern Illinois University as well as a Master of Arts in secondary mathematics education and an Education Specialist Degree in secondary mathematics, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
-
- Stuart Flynn, director of student support services at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, Ala. Flynn has held that position since 2015, and he previously served as a creative writing instructor from 2001-2015 at ASFA. He served as chair of ASFA’s Creative Writing Department from 2002-2015. Flynn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Alabama.
-
- Peter Maggio, principal of Spring Hill High School in Hope. Maggio has served as Spring Hill’s principal since 2016. His previous educational experience includes serving as band director at Hope High School, Fountain Lake High School and the Smackover School District, and as assistant director of bands and director of percussion studies at Magnolia High School. Maggio earned a Bachelor of Music for instrumental music education from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, a Master of Science in Education in educational leadership from Henderson State and a Doctor of Musical Arts in music education from Boston University.
- Neil Oatsvall, history and social science instructor at ASMSA. Oatsvall joined ASMSA’s faculty in 2015. He has also served as a teaching assistant, visiting lecturer and adjunct instructor at several colleges and universities in Kansas and North Carolina. Oatsvall earned a Bachelor of Arts in Asian studies and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., a Master of Arts in history at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., and a Doctor of Philosophy in history at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. Oatsvall also studied Japanese language and culture at International Christian University in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan.
Each candidate will spend a day on campus for an interview with the committee, a campus tour with students, a question and answer session with faculty and staff and a meeting with students along with other activities. The candidate visit schedule is: Chin, April 17; Maggio, April 19; Oatsvall, April 24; and Flynn, April 26.
“We are pleased to welcome these exceptional candidates to campus later this month,” said ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice, to whom the position reports. “The selection of our next Dean of Academic Affairs will set the tone for our academic and outreach programs in this next exciting chapter for ASMSA. We have sought educators who are committed to student success, will champion continued investment in ASMSA's legislated arts mission, and who will work with colleagues to position these talented young people for success at state, national, and global levels.”