MAGNOLIA— Dr. Brian S. Canfield has been named as vice president for academic affairs at Southern Arkansas University.
A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Canfield has 29 years experience in higher education in various faculty and administrative roles. He began his career in higher education at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and has served on the faculties of Louisiana State University at Shreveport, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Southeastern Louisiana University, and the University of San Diego.
Concurrent with his faculty appointments, he has served in administrative roles as clinical director, department chair, program director, and associate dean. He joined SAU on August 1, 2008. This position was formerly held by Dr. Corbert Lampkin, who is now chancellor at SAU Tech, and later by Dr. David Crouse who served as an interim in the position.
As the vice president for academic affairs, Canfield plans to focus on advancing the quality and access to academic programs, supporting opportunities for international study for students at the University, expanding online courses and increasing enrollment in graduate studies.
Canfield said he would like to see more SAU students have the opportunity to benefit from study abroad activities.
“Even though we are a regional university, it is important for us to have a global perspective,” Canfield said. “I would like for us to provide opportunities for more of our students to go abroad for study in SAU sponsored programs as well as for SAU faculty to engage in teaching and research activities abroad.”
Increased online offerings is another area that Canfield said will be a focus for the University as research continues to show that students are demanding classes that are a better fit for their lifestyle and hectic schedules.
Finally, Canfield is looking forward to assisting in increasing the graduate program, which is currently 11 percent of the school’s enrollment. A long range goal is to have the relatively new program make up 20 to 25 percent of enrollment, he said.
“An increase in the graduate program is important because people are beginning to look at having a graduate degree as necessary as they did having a bachelor’s degree 50 years ago,” Canfield said. “This is based on economic reasons as well as the fact that we are just becoming a more educated society.”
Canfield received his bachelor’s of art degree in psychology and his master’s degree in counseling from Louisiana Tech University, and is a 1983 graduate of Texas A&M University at Commerce where he received his doctorate in education. He is a licensed psychologist, and a licensed professional counselor.
He has been involved in professional association leadership throughout his career and is currently serving as the immediate past president of the American Counseling Association.
Canfield is the father of four children, Caroline, 23, Sarah, 21, Catherine, 6, and Jack, 4. He and his wife, Irene, live in Magnolia.
