Ms. Deborah Frazier, Chancellor for University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, has announced that a Vice Chancellor for Academics has been hired to lead the academic division. Dr. Brian Shonk joined the UACCB leadership team in June.
A native of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Dr. Shonk served as Dean of Career and Technical Education at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, FL. His passion for education came from teaching criminal justice courses as an adjunct instructor while serving as a law enforcement officer full time for over 10 years with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. His educational background includes two associate degrees from NWFSC, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Troy University, and Master of Public Administration and Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of West Florida.
His strong desire to create a variety of learning opportunities can be seen in his leadership role at Northwest Florida State College where he was responsible for over 60 academic programs. He stated in his interview that he has a “true passion for helping others succeed in their educational endeavors in an effort to improve their lives.”
“I am excited to be included in the UACCB team and I look forward to being a part in guiding the school to future successes,” Dr. Shonk states. “I know from personal experience that attending and graduating from a community college is life changing for students, and I understand the positive impact community colleges have on the economic viability of the communities they serve. It is my goal to learn and build upon the strengths of UACCB; to familiarize myself with the students served by our college; and to engage local community and business leaders to better understand and meet their needs with graduates ready to be placed in the work force”
“Dr. Shonk has already proven himself an asset to UACCB,” says Chancellor Frazier. “To illustrate his desire to create a learning environment for North Central Arkansas students, he started developing a federal grant application shortly after accepting his position. In an effort to establish a working relationship with UACCB personnel, he communicated his past grant experiences with the division chairs well before he was actually on the UACCB campus.”
Frazier adds, “Within the short timeframe Dr. Shonk has been on campus, he has already demonstrated a work ethic based on integrity and honesty with a desire to make decisions that are student centered and community focused.”
Dr. Shonk and his wife Cathy, and their three children, Ross (13), Chase (11), and Catie (10), are looking forward to becoming a part of the Batesville area community. He states, “In addition to being a great place to work, the Batesville area is a wonderful place to live. My family and I are excited about our move to the area and we look forward to meeting new friends and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors offered by the Natural State. The continued expansion of local sporting venues as a gathering place for athletics and relaxation proves Batesville believes in the strength of family and community – two institutions I also appreciate greatly.”
