Chancellor's Cabinet
Nothing makes us prouder than the people who make up UAFS. Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some are fresh out of high school. Others have spent years in the work force or caring for families — and often doing both. Many come from the small towns that are the backbone of Arkansas and Oklahoma, while others come from our nation’s biggest cities or overseas. They share a genuine desire to learn, explore, and make better lives for themselves.
Our faculty members come from some of the nation’s most prestigious graduate schools as well as some of the most successful businesses and civic institutions. They come to UAFS because they know they can make a genuine difference in the lives of their students and they're eager to share their deep understanding of the way the world really works.
Dr. Terisa C. Riley
Chancellor
Dr. Terisa C. Riley is the chancellor of the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, having assumed her duties on July 1, 2019. Prior to her appointment as UAFS chancellor, Dr. Riley served as senior vice president for student affairs and university administration at Texas A&M University – Kingsville and previously held positions as the institution’s chief student affairs officer, chief financial officer, chief administrator, and chief enrollment management officer. Over her 25-year career, she has held numerous other appointments in higher education and her community.
Dr. Shadow Robinson
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Dr. Shadow JQ Robinson assumed his duties as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs in July 2022. He previously served as dean of the the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Robinson has been actively engaged in cross-campus collaboration, strategic planning and implementation, strategic enrollment planning, and philanthropic operations at regional public institutions for the duration of his career in higher education.
Dr. Lee Krehbiel
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Dr. Lee E. Krehbiel has served as vice chancellor for student affairs since September 2009. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Indiana University-Bloomington.
Blake Rickman
Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Executive Director of the UAFS Foundation
Blake Rickman joined the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith as vice chancellor for university advancement and executive director of the UAFS Foundation in 2018. Prior to his appointment, he served as the senior director of development and external relations at the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, capping more than a decade of advancement-related service to that university.
Carey Tucker
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
Mr. Carey F. Tucker joined the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith as vice chancellor for finance and administration in July 2021. He has a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in logistics management. A 30-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Mr. Tucker came to UAFS from South Arkansas Community College where he served as vice president for finance and administration.
Jennifer King
Chief of Staff
Jennifer King assumed the position of chief of staff in the fall of 2019 having served at UAFS since April 2013. She is a graduate of UAFS with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Jennifer earned her Master of Business Administration from John Brown University in 2024.
Chris Kelly
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications
Chris Kelly joined the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in July 2019. Prior to his appointment at UAFS, Kelly served as associate vice president for Marketing and Communications at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. A seasoned communicator, Kelly has spent more than a decade in higher education.
He earned his Master of Arts in Communication in 2009 and his Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 1993, both from Pittsburg State University.
Kendall Ross
Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic and Workforce Development
Kendall Ross serves as associate vice chancellor for economic and workforce development, bringing a unique blend of technical expertise and leadership acumen to his role. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and Master of Arts in leadership, his professional journey spanning from engineering management to private consulting before transitioning to UAFS. He is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certified instructor and certified Implan Economist specializing in economic impact analysis.
