Dr. C. Neelie Dobbins
Southern Arkansas University is pleased to announce that Dr. C. Neelie Dobbins has been named Dean of the College of Education and Human Performance (CEHP), effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Dobbins assumes the role following more than 15 years of leadership at SAU, including nearly a decade as chair of the Department of Teacher Education and a career marked by significant growth in educator preparation and the development of innovative clinical partnerships across southern Arkansas.
“Dr. Dobbins brings a strong commitment to student success and excellence in educator preparation, with a clear focus on workforce readiness and innovative program development,” said Dr. Robin Sronce, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Her leadership reflects Southern Arkansas University’s mission to provide a high-quality, accessible education while preparing graduates to meet the evolving needs of employers and communities across the region. We are confident she will build on the college’s momentum and lead it to even greater impact.”
Dr. Dobbins began her career at SAU in 2010 as a faculty member in the Department of Teacher Education and currently holds the rank of professor and the College of Education and Human Performance Alumni Endowed Professorship. She has taught widely across the educator preparation programs and earned a reputation as a faculty-focused leader who helps turn challenges into practical solutions that support students and strengthen programs.
She holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from Walden University, an M.Ed. in Mathematics Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Education, also from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Before joining SAU, she served as a State Mathematics Specialist for central Arkansas school districts, where she led professional development and instructional coaching for teachers and school leaders.
One of Dr. Dobbins’ most significant accomplishments has been the growth of SAU’s Master of Arts in Teaching program. Since becoming director in 2012, she has helped expand the program from a cohort of ten candidates to approximately 200 candidates each year, making it one of the university’s largest and most impactful graduate programs.
Dr. Dobbins has also played a central role in transforming educator preparation at SAU. Along with colleagues, she has helped secure more than $3 million in external funding, including $2 million through Forward Arkansas Innovation Grants. These investments supported the development of SAU’s Rider Residency program, a paid yearlong educator residency that strengthens partnerships with school districts across southern Arkansas. The success of the Rider Residency has positioned SAU as a model for state and national conversations about how universities and school districts can work together to strengthen educator pipelines and better prepare graduates for the profession.
Dr. Dobbins has served as the College’s Accreditation Coordinator since 2017 and most recently led SAU’s Educator Preparation Provider to full five-year AAQEP accreditation in 2025. Her broader professional service includes work as a Lead Reviewer for AAQEP Quality Review Teams, a CAEP reviewer for educator preparation programs nationwide, and Co-Editor of the Arkansas Association of Teacher Educators peer-reviewed journal. She is a Past President of the Arkansas Association of Teacher Educators, and most recently, she was instrumental in securing Southern Arkansas University as the host site for the 2026 National Field Experience Conference and was invited to deliver a co-keynote address highlighting SAU’s innovative work in educator preparation.
Among her recognitions at SAU, Dr. Dobbins has received the SAU Honor Professor Award (2026), the College of Education and Human Performance Alumni Endowed Professorship (2020), the SAU Service Award (2017), the SAU Teaching Award (2015), the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award (2013, 2015), the 212 Graduate School Award (2014), and the Phi Delta Kappa Emerging Leader Award (2011).
“Leadership, at its core, is about creating the conditions for others to do their best work. Across my career at SAU, that belief has shaped how I lead and how I measure success, not by personal accomplishment, but by the strength of the people and systems that support our students. It is an honor to serve as dean, and I look forward to working with faculty, staff, students, and partners to build on the strong foundation already in place. Stepping into this role is a privilege, and I am committed to leading the College with integrity, purpose, and collaboration,” said Dobbins.
The College of Education and Human Performance offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across three departments: Counseling and Professional Studies; Human Performance and Sport Sciences, and Teacher Education. The College prepares educators, counselors, coaches, athletic trainers, exercise science professionals, and other practitioners whose work strengthens schools and communities throughout the region.
For more information about the College of Education and Human Performance at SAU, visit www.saumag.edu/cehp.
About SAU:
Southern Arkansas University provides students with the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees across four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to meet the needs of today’s career and professional trends. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.
