South Arkansas College Announces New President
Steve Cousins, chairman of the South Arkansas College (SouthArk) Board of Trustees, has announced the selection of Dr. Stephanie Tully-Dartez as the college’s sixth president. Having served as Interim President of SouthArk since August 2023, Dr. Tully-Dartez will assume her role as President of SouthArk, effective July 1.
With a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Louisiana Tech University, Dr. Tully-Dartez previously served in the following positions during her 14 years at SouthArk: Vice President for Academic Affairs (2021-Present); Interim Vice President for Student Services (2022-23); Associate Vice President for Institutional Planning and Academic Support (2019-21); Associate Vice President for Planning and Career Education (2018-19); Associate Vice President for Workforce and Career Education (2017-18); Chief Institutional Effectiveness and Advancement Officer (2013-17); and Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (2009-13). She served also at Louisiana Tech University as a National Science Foundation GK12 Grant Fellow (2007-09).
“As a 14-year employee of the college and an active community member in El Dorado, I recognize the vital role SouthArk plays in south Arkansas and in the economic development of the region,” Tully-Dartez said. “My experience and the trust placed in me by my supervisors and peers have prepared me to lead the college to even greater heights. I happily embrace the opportunity of serving as its sixth president.”
According to Cousins, the selection resulted from a 4-month long process conducted by a Search Committee made up of board members, faculty, staff, and community leaders. The initial 22 applicants were screened by way of resume review, leading to seven semi-finalists, who participated in virtual interviews. The Search Committee chose three finalists, who came to campus for in-person interviews with SouthArk faculty, staff, and board members, as well as fielding questions from faculty, staff, students, board members, and community members at public forums held on campus.
“Although the final decision is a duty of the Board of Trustees, we wanted to ensure that as many stakeholders from the college’s faculty, staff and student body, as well as the community, had an opportunity to speak into the process,” Cousins said. “We are pleased and delighted that Dr. Tully-Dartez has agreed to step into this challenging and pivotal role.”
Tully-Dartez grew up in South Carolina and moved to El Dorado in 2007. She and her husband, Shawn, have two children: Vincent, 9, and Miles, 7.
