UA-East Arkansas Community College chancellor announces retirement

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Officials with the University of Arkansas—East Arkansas Community College announced a change to leadership on Tuesday.

Officials said Chancellor Cathie Cline is retiring as of July 1, 2026. Cline is bringing a 25-year career at the college to an end with this announcement.

UA officials said Cline, who has a doctorate in education, was named chancellor at what was then East Arkansas Community College in 2017, being promoted from Associate Vice President for General Studies. She led the merger of EACC and Crowley’s Ridge Technical Institute in 2018 under the theme of “Stronger Together.” She led the institution through regulatory approvals and its transition into the UA System in 2024.

Cline gave notice to Jay B. Silveria, president of the UA System, and the UA-EACC Board of Visitors last week, saying the timing of completing the institution’s 2024 merger into the UA System and the unprecedented momentum the institution has coincides with a desire to spend more time with family and move into the next phase of life.

“UA-EACC is in a strong position to keep moving the needle in providing first-class service to this region and all of the people I love and admire,” Cline said. “I do not know what life has in store for me next, but my respect for the people at UA-EACC and our community makes me confident that we will keep impacting lives and moving forward.”

Silveria said because of the time allotted before Cline’s retirement date, he envisions a national search to be completed and a successor named before June 30, 2026.

For more information on the University of Arkansas system, head over to UAsys.edu.