A-State News

Dr. William McLean Appointed Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at A-State

October 11, 2026Arkansas State University — International Admissions

Dr. William McLean, provost and executive vice chancellor of Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University Chancellor Dr. Calvin White Jr. has announced the permanent appointment of Dr. William McLean as provost and executive vice chancellor. He had served in the role on an interim basis since July 2026, when Dr. White became interim chancellor; Dr. White was appointed chancellor at the end of September.

At American universities the provost is the chief academic officer, responsible for the colleges, degree programs, faculty and research — the position that most directly shapes what students learn every day.

“Will has become one of my most trusted colleagues and has been my right hand as we have worked to expand access and opportunity, grow our research enterprise and strengthen academics across campus. He is calm under pressure, a problem solver and a consensus builder.” — Dr. Calvin White Jr., Chancellor

From student to chief academic officer

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. McLean studied at A-State, earning a B.A. in political science in 1994 and an M.A. in 1995, then a Ph.D. in political science from the University of New Orleans in 2003.

2002: after starting his career at the University of Northern Iowa, he returned to A-State as an assistant professor and earned early tenure and promotion.
From 2011: a decade as chair of the Department of Political Science, during which the online Master of Public Administration launched and grew to more than 300 students.
From 2022: university-level administration — faculty relations, then academic affairs and research — before becoming interim provost in July 2026.

“My career has been shaped by A-State at every stage. I arrived as a student, returned as a faculty member, and have spent more than two decades seeing how this university changes lives.” — Dr. William McLean

What he has helped build

According to the university, Dr. McLean’s work has included the development and launch of the College of Veterinary Medicine, new undergraduate and graduate programs, accelerated academic pathways, professional academic advising, and initiatives including the Windgate Art and Innovation Center, the CREST Center, the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence and the Institute for Rural Initiatives.

One of his first priorities will be leading the searches for permanent deans of the College of Agriculture and the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

“I want every student who comes to A-State to feel supported from the first day and to leave with a degree that opens doors.” — Dr. William McLean

What this means for students from Vietnam

A-State’s chancellor and provost are both people who have led the university’s academic side in recent years. The priorities he names — teaching, academic advising and accelerated pathways — are the ones international students feel directly from their first semester.