WM alum receives UAPB leadership appointment

By RALPH HARDIN

ralphhardin@gmail.com

Frank D. Dorsey II was recently appointed Interim Dean of Student Involvement and Leadership at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. His appointment comes one year after his return to Pine Bluff from Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina where the West Memphis High School graduate served as Associate Dean of Students for Activities.

The former Blue Devil dove right into his work at UAPB in 2021, working diligently to “restore the student engagement experience” on campus following

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DORSEY APPOINTMENT

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two years of turmoil and uncertainty as the school, like the rest of the world, has struggled with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns and restrictions.

Additionally, Dorsey has worked to enhance the students’ professional development offerings by rebooting the L.A. Torrence Institute for Excellence in Student Leadership and aiding the UAPB Student Government Association with establishing their Freshman Leadership Academy. “It truly is a homecoming,” said Dorsey. Dorsey also keeps home on his mind when building up programs on campus. He said he would like to see more of his fellow Blue Devils become a part of the UAPB family.

“In the role of Interim Dean of Student Involvement and Leadership at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, I hope to attract more students from the Crittenden county area,” he said. “Once a Blue Devil, always a Blue Devil.”

In addition to coordinating comprehensive engagement programs that create intentional opportunities for students to identify and enhance their leadership potential, Dorsey assists with efforts to make UAPB a more inclusive and welcoming campus by advocating for policies, programs, and municipal partnerships.

Recently, collaborative efforts have led to the University’s recognition in the 2022 Home Depot Retool Your School Competition and a historical relationship with the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C. Dorsey completed his graduate studies in College Student Personnel/Student Affairs Administration at Arkansas Tech University. He is now studying at North Carolina A& T State University in the Leadership Studies doctoral program, hoping to research crisis leadership in historically Black institutions.

He has remained active in higher education through his memberships in ACPA- College Student Educators International, Higher Education Leadership Foundation, National Association of Student Affairs Professionals, and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

In addition to Dorsey’s new role at UAPB, NASPA also accepted him into their 2022 Ujima Institute, a professional development program designed for African American and Black higher education professionals who aspire to senior student affairs officer roles and faculty positions, including the cabinet-level vice presidents of colleges and universities.

Next month, he completes the 2022 Leadership Pine Bluff program.