Dr. Mary Lackie has worked at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith for just under a year, but her wealth of experience in higher education and the talent she’s demonstrated in her time at the University played a major role in her promotion to vice chancellor for university advancement.

 

Lackie will assume the role of vice chancellor in February, replacing Dr. Marta Loyd, who announced her resignation Dec. 17 to take a position at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Lackie is currently the associate vice chancellor for development.

 

UAFS Chancellor Dr. Paul B. Beran said he feels the university advancement team is in good hands with Lackie.

 

“Dr. Lackie has embraced her role in advancement over the last year, and moving to vice chancellor for university advancement is a logical step,” he said. “She brings depth and experience in higher education which translates to the kind of institutional understanding that advancement requires.”

 

Prior to coming to UAFS, Lackie served as the senior technical director for policy and planning for the International Affairs Office at Teachers College Columbia University, where she helped manage a $40 million U.S. Agency for International Development project to improve pre-service teacher education in Pakistan.

 

In addition to Pakistan, she has also worked internationally in Poland, United Arab Emirates, Armenia and Germany. She has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, including work at institutions in Arkansas and Louisiana.

 

Lackie holds a Doctorate of Education in higher education from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Arts in student personnel services from Northwestern State University and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Arkansas Tech University.

 

Lackie said she is excited to take the position.

 

“In my first year at UAFS, I have been so impressed with the quality of this institution,” she said. “I’m very proud to be associated with the University and the Fort Smith community, and I look forward to using my education and experience to help strengthen the University through the advancement and promotion of UAFS.”

 

More than 30 UAFS employees are housed under the university advancement operation, which includes alumni, development, marketing and communications and public relations. Lackie said she is looking forward to furthering the presence of UAFS in the community.

 

“In all of the places I have worked, I have never seen such a strong relationship between a university and the community,” she said. “I look forward to working closely with members of the UAFS Foundation Board of Directors and others in our community who are so committed to this institution. Working together, we can be successful in continuing to grow opportunities for students in our region.”

 

Lackie is the member of the Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club, the Fort Smith Chorale and Central Christian Church. She lives in Fort Smith with her husband Bill, her daughter Claudia and her mother, Joreen Bane. She has three other children and a grandchild.