Dr. Chris Lorch, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Ozarka College, was recently promoted to Ozarka College Provost.

His responsibilities in this enhanced leadership position will include oversight of academics, accreditation, satellite campus operations, and auxiliary academic services.

"Dr. Lorch is an exceptional academic leader and a talented member of the Ozarka leadership team" said Dr. Richard Dawe, Ozarka College president. "I cannot say enough about what he has does for Ozarka College and the role he played in our successful reaffirmation of accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Dr. Lorch is one of the strongest academic leaders in our state in my opinion and, as Provost, he will help lead Ozarka College to new levels of excellence."

 The appointment comes on the heels of a highly successful accreditation reaffirmation visit in March. The visit served as the culmination of two years of preparation for reaffirmation of accreditation, a 10-year designation granted by the Higher Learning Commission. Dr. Lorch was instrumental in coordinating the College's preparation effort, including assembling the documentation necessary to make Ozarka's case for reaffirmation and coordinating the HLC visit.    

 "I am humbled and grateful for this vote of confidence, which I owe to our amazing leadership team and incredible faculty, who make my job easier and much more enjoyable, " said Lorch. "I firmly believe we have the most talented and dedicated educational professionals in the state, and I look forward continue to work alongside them in our efforts to provide opportunities for the students in our communities to achieve success. "

 Dr. Lorch began his career in higher education in 2008 in the Ozarka English department. Since that time he has served as Division Chair for Arts and Humanities and Associate Vice President for Academics. In 2019 he completed his Doctorate of Education in Adult Learning with an emphasis in Community College Leadership from the University of Arkansas. Lorch also holds a Bachelor of Science in English  Education degree from Williams Baptist College and a Master of Science in Education in English degree from Arkansas State University. Before joining Ozarka, he taught at the Newport School District, the Southside School District, and the Piggott School District as an English instructor.

 His scholarly endeavors include presenting at numerous regional and national conferences. Dr. Lorch has also played integral roles in the administration of Ozarka's concurrent credit offerings, leadership of enrollment management strategies, liaison for accreditation activities, recent establishment of the Carpenter Technical Training Center in Ash Flat, Arkansas.

 For more information, please contact Katie Norris, director of public relations and marketing, at 870-368-2045 or by email at  katie.norris@ozarka.edu.