Arkansas Baptist College today announced that Dr. Joseph Jones has been selected as the new president of the college.
Jones, the college’s fourteenth president, succeeds Dr. Fitz Hill, who is taking on a role as executive director of the Arkansas Baptist College Foundation.
Jones, currently a visiting professor of Political Science in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, was featured as an Arkansas Times Visionary in 2014, spotlighting his work as the founder and executive director of the Social Justice Institute at Philander Smith College.
Beth Gladden Coulson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said in a press release:
The Trustees are delighted that Dr. Joseph L. Jones has accepted our offer to serve as 14th President of Arkansas Baptist College. In addition to his impressive academic credentials is the teaching and administrative experience he has gained at four other HBCU institutions. Dr. Jones has become a serious student of higher education leadership through fellowships with both the American Council on Education and the United Negro College Fund. These opportunities, matched with his vision, energy and passion, will serve the institution well, as the College continues to realize both its historic and current mission under Dr. Jones’ capable leadership.
ABC has faced major financial problems for years (including struggles in 2013 to make payroll and pay vendors).