ASU System Approves Recently Hired President’s Strategic Plan, Funds $50.8 Million in New Campus Projects

By the Arkansas Delta Informer Staff

LITTLE ROCK – Aug. 7, 2026 – The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees today approved a new systemwide strategic plan and revised budgets for key capital projects, including a new workforce training center and an indoor baseball training center at the system’s flagship Jonesboro campus.

The board’s actions came during a special meeting where newly hired ASU System President Todd Shields introduced his “Framework for the Future,” which outlines updated mission, vision and priorities for the state’s second-largest university system.

“We have a clear path for escalating our systemwide economic impact on Arkansas, and we’re going to get to work,” said Shields in his first meeting since his appointment to lead the ASU System on July 1.

In the introduction of his vision for the ASU System’s future, Shields called the strategic plan a collaborative effort among system leaders, campus stakeholders, and community partners that provides “a clear roadmap” for how the ASU System will support its institutions, serve students, and meet the evolving needs of the state.

“The ASU System exists to expand opportunity, transform lives, and strengthen communities. Across our campuses, we see education change lives,” said Shields. “We see it in students pursuing dreams once beyond reach, faculty creating knowledge that improves lives, staff helping others overcome obstacles, and alumni whose leadership and service make Arkansas stronger

Shields added: “Education not only prepares people for careers, it opens doors, strengthens families, expands possibilities, and helps communities prosper.”

Shield’s strategic vision for the 39,000-student university system is organized around seven priorities: operational excellence and collaboration, talent and leadership development, academic innovation and workforce alignment, technology and cybersecurity, financial sustainability, student success, and external engagement.

“Together, these priorities are designed to create measurable outcomes including stronger student achievement, workforce-ready graduates, enhanced institutional sustainability, and a more visible and impactful ASU System,” the plan states.

During another special meeting in May, the ASU Trustees selected Shields, chancellor of the system’s flagship campus in Jonesboro since 2022, as the ASU System’s fourth president. In June, the board approved a combined $402.6 million operating budget for 2026-2027, including a 4% tuition increase at the system’s flagship A-State campus in Jonesboro.

Among the key parts of the budget for the upcoming school year, the 17,000+ campus in Jonesboro will see a 6.3% increase in its operating budget, from $236.4 million to $251.4 million. That capital budget includes the new College of Veterinary Medicine, and combined tuition and fees will increase by 4% to $10,850.

The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) welcomed its inaugural class of students to the Jonesboro campus this week. Ahead of the start of classes, a white coat ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Fowler Center on the ASU campus. The first day of classes at ASU begins on April 19.

The Arkansas State University System, based in Little Rock, has campuses in Arkansas and Querétaro, Mexico, and offers courses globally online. Henderson State University in Arkadelphia became the system’s second four-year institution member in February 2021.

The system’s two-year college institutions include ASU-Beebe, with additional campuses in Heber Springs and Searcy; ASU-Newport, with additional campuses in Jonesboro and Marked Tree; ASU-Mountain Home; ASU Mid-South in West Memphis; and ASU Three Rivers in Malvern.

Separately, the board approved several resolutions updating earlier budgets for capital projects. They include: 

• Phase one of construction of the Career Readiness Education and Skills Training (CREST) Center at Arkansas State in Jonesboro is underway, with an $18 million investment. Phase one will cover the first 26,000 square feet of a planned 70,000-square-foot facility designed to enhance workforce training opportunities in advanced manufacturing, food processing and steel production. A-State is pursuing New Markets Tax Credits to help reduce construction financing costs. 
  
  

• Phase one of construction of the Center for Health Science at ASU-Newport for $18 million. ASUN is pursuing New Markets Tax Credits to help finance the construction. 
  
  
• Construction of the Indoor Baseball Development and Training Center at Arkansas State for $8.5 million in cooperation with the Red Wolves Foundation. 
  
  
• Expansion and renovation of the Gotaas Hall Health Science Building at ASU-Mountain Home for $6.3 million. 

Trustees also voted to accept a contingent offer of nearly $1.6 million for the sale of the residential property at 48 Chenal Circle in Little Rock, known as the McAdams House, which previously served as the ASU System’s president’s residence. University officials said the sale price exceeds the property’s appraised value, and that a housing allowance will now be extended to Shields, creating savings for the ASU System. 

In other business, the board approved:

• Innovation Park Renaming: A‑State will name its campus Innovation Park the Dr. Les Wyatt Park of Innovation, honoring the former longtime president whose vision included linking the campus to the Jonesboro Municipal Airport and establishing a technology and innovation district.

• Equine Center Naming: The new equine teaching barn will be named the Dash Goff Equine Center – Nodouble Barn, recognizing Fayetteville businessman and thoroughbred breeder Dash Goff. Nodouble, his horse, won the 1968 Arkansas Derby and set racing records nationwide.

• CREST Workforce Space: The primary workforce training area in the new CREST facility will be designated the Hytrol Workforce Training Room in acknowledgment of the Jonesboro manufacturer’s major support.

• Policy Updates: Trustees approved revisions to the system’s Capital Construction Project Approval Policy and Financial Reserves Policy.

• Utility Easement: A‑State granted City Water and Light Jonesboro a permanent sanitary sewer line easement for construction and maintenance access.

• ASU–Mountain Home Expansion: The board approved adding the Searcy County School District in Marshall as an instructional site for multiple educational programs.