EACC's Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Cathie Cline as the next president of EACC.  The announcement was made during a special called meeting on Thursday evening, October 26th.  The appointment culminates a presidential search process that began in June.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Cline as our next president,” said EACC Board Chair Judge Ann B. Hudson.  “East Arkansas Community College is extremely important to this part of our state, and the board feels confident that Dr. Cline will continue the progress that has been made,” she added. 

The Board of Trustees unanimously selected Dr. Cline, who currently serves as Associate Vice President of General Studies at EACC.  The board offered Dr. Cline an initial 2 1/2 year contract, and her tenure will begin on January 1, 2018.  Cline will succeed Dr. Coy Grace, who will retire after serving 19 years as president.  “It is a humbling prospect to follow in the footsteps of a president held in such high esteem not only in the area, but throughout the state. However, I know I will benefit from having learned from a president as successful and well-respected as Dr. Grace,” said Dr. Cathie Cline.

“I thank the board for their hard work during the selection process and for their unanimous vote.  I realize what an asset it is to the College to have such a dedicated and caring board,” said Cline.  “The College has so many supporters in the community, and during the search process I was reminded once again of the strength of the community’s regard for us.  I hope to continue to increase our community’s faith in us,” she added. 

In her current role as Associate Vice President for General Studies at East Arkansas Community College, Dr. Cline is responsible for faculty and staff in the divisions of Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences in Forrest City, Wynne, and online.  The General Studies divisions offer 23 degree and certificate programs, including both transfer and vocational/technical programs.  She previously served as Department Chair for the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division and Humanities Division, and she began teaching at EACC in 2000. 

Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Cline served as the Director of Community Relations at the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce, and wrote news and feature articles for the Times Herald newspaper.  She earned a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education with an emphasis in Community College Leadership from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from Arkansas State University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Virginia. 

East Arkansas Community College is a full-service community college that serves a large portion of eastern Arkansas.  EACC’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for everyone within the College service community by providing opportunities for educational excellence, economic stimulation, and cultural enrichment.  EACC offers students a variety of academic, technical, vocational, allied health, business and industry training, and non-credit programs.