Southern Arkansas University Tech is pleased to announce that Dr. Jason Morrison has accepted the position of chancellor and will begin work on January 3, 2017. Dr. Trey Berry, Southern Arkansas University System President, announced the hiring decision made by the Search Committee in an email to SAU Tech’s staff and faculty on November 17, 2016. Dr. Berry stated that he was extremely proud of the work of the Search Committee and thanked the faculty and staff for their feedback on the candidates. On hiring Dr. Morrison, Dr. Berry stated that “We are excited that someone with Dr. Morrison’s professionalism, energy, and vision will become the new chancellor at SAU Tech. I am personally eager to begin working with him to help the campus move forward. I believe there are great days ahead for SAU Tech.”
Dr. Morrison was one of three candidates who visited the campus during the last few weeks of October and into November. Dr. Morrison is currently the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Carl Albert State College in Oklahoma. Dr. Morrsion prefers to go by his first name, Jason and is currently very involved in the community where he works and lives. Dr. Morrison currently serves on the LeFlore County Youth Service board, the LeFlore County Historical Society board, and is a member of Rotary International. Prior to his service in LeFlore County, Jason served in Leadership Columbus, Optimist International, as Altus Chamber Ambassador, and on the Committee of 100, a committee dedicated to efforts of creating a joint relationship with the Altus, Oklahoma community and Altus Air Force Base. Dr. Morrison is also a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission which is an accrediting body for higher education.
Morrison visited the campus with his wife, Stephanie, on Monday, November 7, 2016, where he met with several groups and spent the afternoon speaking to SAU Tech staff and faculty and community members. Originally from Benton, Arkansas, Dr. Morrison stated that he was excited to be coming home to Arkansas. Stephanie Morrison is a respiratory therapist and they have a young daughter, Brennan, who will start school next fall. On being offered the position of SAU Tech Chancellor, Morrison stated, “I am humbled to be given this opportunity to serve Southern Arkansas University Tech and the SAU System. I am looking forward to building upon the successes of SAU Tech and coming together as faculty, staff, students, and community in becoming the writers of the greatest part of Southern Arkansas University Tech’s history. Be Great. Be Tech.”
Morrison was chosen by the Search Committee after interviews, a campus visit and a survey by SAU Tech’s staff and faculty were completed. The Search Committee were appointed by Dr. Trey Berry and are as follows: Phillip Allison, SAU Tech Social Sciences Instructor; Olivia Clack, SAU Tech HR Director; Brian Dixon, SAU Tech Multimedia Technology Instructor; Johnie Hall, SAU Tech Faculty Senate; Phyllis Hutson, SAU Tech Office Systems Technology Instructor; Sara Landaverde, SAU Tech English Instructor; David McLeane, SAU Tech Vice Chancellor; Connie Riley, SAU Tech Financial Aid Analyst; Lee Sanders, SAU Tech Director of Institutional Research; Dr. Valerie Wilson, SAU Tech Vice Chancellor; Shelley Young, SAU Tech Nursing Instructor; Jimmy Golden, Jim Golden Ford, Lincoln, Mercury; Gene Hill, Highland Industrial Park; Scott James, Lockheed Martin; Connie Wilbur, General Dynamics, SAU Tech Foundation; and Roger Giles, SAU Vice President for Administration and General Counsel.
