30 Apr 2024 Person of the Month: Patty Poulter

Career: I am retiring in June after six years as provost and executive vice president at the University of Central Arkansas. I have worked in education for 42 years, 32 of which have been in higher education. 

Family: Two daughters, Corey and Annie. Corey is a licensed professional counselor in the Counseling Clinic at Eastern Illinois University, and Annie is a Lecturer of Art at Eastern Washington University. I also have three grandsons, Calvin, Simon and Holland. 

Education: I hold an Ed.D. in Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; an M.A. in Choral Conducting from Eastern Illinois University; and a B.M. in Music Education, also from Eastern Illinois University.

Professional Accomplishments: Recipient of the Ronnie Williams Distinguished Service Award. Named by Arkansas Money & Politics as one of the state’s “Power Women” in 2021. I served on the inaugural 10-member Education Technology, Services, and Research (EAB) Research Advisory Council, selected from leaders at over 1,500 institutions of higher education. I served as a member of the HERS (Higher Education Resource Services) outreach group, supporting women leaders in higher education. I also served on the Executive Board of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans, and was the Council’s representative to Americans for the Arts. In that capacity, I assisted in writing the official Call to Action position paper regarding funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and Artists to preserve citizen access to the cultural, educational and economic benefits of the arts and to advance creativity and innovation in communities across the United States. I have also served on several philanthropic or service boards in Illinois, Georgia and Arkansas.

You are a Breast Cancer survivor. How did that experience impact you: 

I think – or I hope—that the entire experience has made me better at asking for and accepting the help of others.

As you look back on your work as Provost and Executive Vice President, what accomplishments stand out to you: 

First, I would say that any accomplishments from a provost’s perspective must be understood as involving many people. The provost can help set or refine a vision and provide financial, structural or strategic support for an initiative, but in the end all accomplishments are the result of teams of people working together to achieve the desired outcome. Some of the initiatives of which I am most proud include the establishment of the Center for Student Success and Veterans Resources, completion of the Integrated Health Sciences Building, the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, and the Lewis Annex. Additionally, significant renovations to several buildings on campus will serve faculty, staff, and students for years to come. 

UCA Commitment, helping UCA become part of the National Student Exchange program, expanding the Learning Communities model, and the establishment of embedded academic advisors by college are student success initiatives that I believe are making, and will continue to make, a positive difference for UCA. Creating a true Enrollment Services division, establishing the Center for Teaching Excellence and Academic Leadership, and improving support for Community Engaged and Service Learning and Global Engagement help UCA maintain a trajectory of continuous improvement.