Caldwell will replace Kelly Eichler on the board, with a term set to run through 2036, according to the governor’s announcement.

In announcing the appointment, Sanders pointed to Caldwell’s background in both the private sector and philanthropy, describing her as “a talented leader in business and philanthropy” who is well-suited to support the state’s higher education initiatives.

Caldwell currently serves as Senior Director of Strategic Accounts at Embecta Corporation, where she works across retail, marketing, and distribution partnerships to address healthcare challenges. Her career includes more than a decade at Newell Rubbermaid, where she managed major national accounts and helped grow one of the company’s largest business segments tied to Walmart.

Her professional record includes multiple internal recognitions, including five President’s Club awards and the company’s Winner’s Circle honor.

Beyond her corporate experience, Caldwell has been active in Arkansas nonprofit and civic efforts. She serves as president of the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Association, where she recently led the organization’s 75th anniversary initiative, overseeing fundraising and renovation efforts tied to the historic property.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas’ Sam Walton College of Business, Caldwell earned her degree magna cum laude and was a recipient of both the Chancellor’s and Governor’s Distinguished Scholarships. She was also the first in her family to complete a traditional four-year college degree.

In a statement, Caldwell reflected on her connection to the university, calling the appointment an opportunity to give back to an institution that shaped her personal and professional path.

“I am honored, humbled, and energized for the opportunity… to serve our state and our students,” Caldwell said, noting her longstanding ties to the Fayetteville campus and her commitment to supporting the university’s continued growth.

Caldwell, a Jacksonville native, now lives in Little Rock with her family and remains active in community and church involvement.

Her appointment comes as the state continues to focus on higher education policy and workforce development, areas where the Board of Trustees plays a central role in shaping outcomes for Arkansas students.

The donations span multiple election cycles, beginning with the 2020 presidential race when Harris joined the Democratic ticket and continuing through her subsequent national campaign activity. The frequency of the contributions places Shoffner among Harris’s more consistent small-dollar supporters during that period.

The records show a pattern of repeated giving rather than one-time support, underscoring Shoffner’s sustained financial backing of Harris as she rose to national office.

Shoffner is now running for Senate in Arkansas, where national Democratic figures — including Harris — remain politically polarizing. Her past support for Harris could draw scrutiny as the race develops, particularly as candidates seek to define their political alignment for Arkansas voters.

The data is available at the Federal Election Commission here: https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Hallie%20Shoffner

Archived posts show Norris repeatedly using the C-word in online commentary, including several posts discussing military leadership in which he used the slur while describing officers and command culture.

The language contrasts sharply with Norris’ campaign messaging. In an ad running during the runoff, Norris describes himself as “a faithful Christian who lives out his beliefs every day.”

The resurfaced posts show Norris also directed criticism at several senior officials in President Trump’s administration.

In one post, Norris called FBI Director Kash Patel “the biggest disappointment of this administration” and a “f***ing let down.”

He also said he had “lost all trust” in Attorney General Pam Bondi, at one point suggesting she should resign and urging President Trump to fire her.

Norris’ criticism has not been limited to Washington officials.

Posts reviewed by the Arkansas Reporter show Norris attacking Arkansas Republican leaders as well, including Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, whom he accused of running the Arkansas GOP “like a cartel.”

He also amplified criticism of Ambassador Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and father of the current governor, while sharing commentary attacking Trump-aligned figures on foreign policy.

Many of the posts have since been deleted but remain preserved in archived records.

The controversy surfaced publicly last week during a KATV interview, where Norris was asked directly about his repeated use of the C-word on social media. The exchange became notably awkward as the candidate attempted to address the language and explain the posts.

The runoff election later this month will determine the Republican nominee for Secretary of State — the office responsible for overseeing Arkansas elections — in a race that has drawn growing attention from Republican leaders across the state.

The poll points to the broader political fundamentals shaping the race in Arkansas, a state where Democrats have not topped 40 percent in a statewide election since 2010.

A campaign analysis shared exclusively with the Arkansas Reporter reinforces that picture. The memo, written by Brian Colas and Breanne Davis, who lead Cotton’s reelection campaign, argues that both turnout data and political trends show Democrats facing steep structural challenges this cycle.

The memo is included here:

Cotton won the Republican primary with 82 percent of the vote and more than 230,000 votes, carrying all 75 counties and posting margins above 90 percent in several areas. The result amounted to a 72-point victory, and included the most votes for an Arkansas Senate incumbent in a midterm cycle.

Turnout figures also underscore the GOP advantage. According to the campaign memo, more than 282,000 Republicans cast ballots compared with fewer than 130,000 Democrats, a 2.2-to-1 turnout gap. The Arkansas Reporter independently verified those turnout numbers using official results from the Arkansas Secretary of State.

Cotton also holds a large financial advantage, reporting more than $9 million on hand, compared with less than $500,000 for Shoffner.

Taken together, the polling, turnout gap, and financial disparity suggest the Arkansas Senate race is unlikely to become competitive this cycle.

The directive focuses on how quickly Arkansas can approve projects that require multiple state permits, an issue that has increasingly affected energy generation, manufacturing, and large-scale investments.

Executive Order 26-04 requires cabinet-level agencies and regulatory boards that issue permits, licenses, or certifications to conduct a full review of their approval processes within 120 days. The review will focus on eliminating unnecessary steps, identifying regulatory barriers that slow approvals, and modernizing permitting systems through digitization. Agencies are also expected to recommend changes that could shorten approval timelines while maintaining environmental and public health protections.

The order applies to agencies overseeing major development projects, including the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Labor and Licensing, and the Department of Health. The goal, according to the order, is to improve the speed, predictability, and transparency of state permitting decisions.

Rather than creating new programs, the order directs agencies to review their existing processes and identify where delays exist. Within 180 days, agencies must submit improvement plans outlining process changes, potential legislative fixes, and implementation timelines.

The announcement comes as Arkansas continues to compete for major industrial and technology projects that require large amounts of electricity and infrastructure investment. Energy development, including power generation, transmission upgrades, and supporting infrastructure, often requires approvals from multiple agencies, which can lengthen project timelines.

The order notes that state permitting systems should protect natural resources while also fostering “infrastructure improvements, upgrades to existing systems, agricultural production, manufacturing, power production, support for energy independence, [and] economic development projects.”

U.S. Senator Tom Cotton told the Arkansas Reporter that modernizing permitting processes is critical not only for economic growth but also for national security.

“Energy generation that is vital to our economy and national security is too often hindered by outdated government regulations,” Cotton said. “Thankfully, the Working Families Tax Cut, along with Governor Sanders’s executive order, eliminates the unnecessary bureaucratic red tape and drives economic development in our state.”

Those installations form part of the nation’s defense industrial base, where energy capacity and industrial infrastructure increasingly intersect with national security.

Energy policy has increasingly intersected with economic development as states compete to attract major projects tied to artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and defense supply chains. These industries require large amounts of electricity and reliable energy infrastructure.

Arkansas already holds a competitive position in business recruitment. Recent rankings cited in the executive order include a 2023 Site Selection Magazine ranking placing Arkansas seventh nationally for micropolitan development projects and a 2025 Forbes Advisor ranking naming Arkansas the third-best state to start a business. Reducing regulatory delays could strengthen those advantages by giving companies greater certainty when planning major investments.

Any recommended statutory changes could ultimately be considered by the Arkansas General Assembly in future legislative sessions. For industries dependent on infrastructure development, including utilities, manufacturing, and energy production, the review could determine how quickly large projects move from proposal to construction in Arkansas.

Brazil replaces Blair Allen on the commission.

Brazil currently serves as a member of the Russellville Recreation & Parks Commission, according to the City of Russellville.

He is also the owner of Jackalope Cycling, a River Valley bicycle shop that caters to the region’s growing cycling and mountain biking community.

Arkansas’s outdoor economy has become a defining part of the state’s identity, particularly in regions like the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas, where trail development and cycling tourism have drawn national attention. The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism reports that state parks and outdoor recreation generate significant travel activity and visitor spending each year.

In a 2022 interview with About River Valley Magazine, Brazil described the River Valley as “The Hub” for Arkansas outdoors because of its proximity to destinations such as Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, the Buffalo River, Lake Dardanelle, and the Ozark Highlands Trail.

He said the region’s access to mountain biking, trout fishing, backpacking, rock climbing, and paddling sets it apart within the state.

In just the last decade, Arkansas has emerged as a national mountain biking hotspot, as new bike trails pull in riders from coast to coast and keep the tourism season going all year long.

Brazil told the Arkansas Reporter, “I am honored to fill this position in our state. When it comes to outdoor recreation, Arkansas is such an incredibly diverse state. Outside of salt or snow, we have world-class quality in nearly every other outdoor activity, which has kept me outside enjoying and developing a passion to protect and share our natural resources. With that experience and my time running outdoor recreation businesses, I hope to help strengthen user experiences and aid all the people it takes to keep everything running and growing.”

Brazil has advocated for the River Valley to embrace and brand itself around outdoor recreation, arguing that stronger promotion of its assets could improve workforce recruitment, student retention at Arkansas Tech University, and overall quality of life for Arkansans.

With a background rooted in local parks leadership and a business built around cycling culture, Brazil brings years of outdoor advocacy to the role. His appointment places a longtime outdoor advocate on the commission responsible for guiding Arkansas’s state park system and recreation strategy.

Lea, a Russellville native and 2004 graduate of Arkansas Tech University (ATU), will serve through January 14, 2031. She succeeds Bill Clary of Conway, who completed his five-year term earlier this month after serving as board chair in 2025.

Arkansas Tech President Dr. Russell Jones said Lea brings a “significant track record of commitment to and care for her alma mater” and described her as a “dedicated public servant.”

“I am honored to serve in this capacity at my alma mater. Besides being a good community partner, ATU’s footprint continues to grow outside of Russellville. I look forward to being a part of that,” Lea told the Arkansas Reporter.

A Record of Public Service

Lea earned a Bachelor of Science degree in emergency administration and management from ATU in 2004. As a non-traditional student who completed her degree at age 47, she has frequently advocated for adult learners returning to higher education, a demographic that has grown increasingly important to regional universities like ATU.

In 2014, Lea was elected Arkansas’ 40th auditor of state and was re-elected in 2018, serving until January 2023. As auditor, she served as the state’s general accountant, administered the Arkansas Unclaimed Property Act, and oversaw payroll for more than 600 elected officials and their employees. During her tenure, the office implemented technological upgrades to improve the reporting and return of unclaimed property through the “Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt” program.

Before serving statewide, Lea served on the Pope County Quorum Court, the Russellville City Council, and represented her district for three terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

She was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction in 2022 under the Distinguished Alumni Service category.

Arkansas Tech’s Growing Footprint

Founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech now enrolls approximately 10,000 students across its Russellville and Ozark campuses. The university reports consistently strong retention rates and offers more than 100 academic programs, including nationally recognized emergency management and nursing programs.

The Board of Trustees oversees university finances, capital projects, academic policy, and executive leadership. These responsibilities take on added importance as Arkansas institutions compete for enrollment and workforce development partnerships.

Lea joins a board that includes Chair Stephanie Duffield of Russellville, Vice Chair Cory Cox of Perryville, Secretary Jim Smith of Bentonville, and Len Cotton of Dardanelle.

With nearly two decades of experience in state and local government, Lea now assumes oversight responsibilities that will shape Arkansas Tech’s fiscal management and long-term direction at a pivotal moment for higher education in the state.

The Secretary of State’s records show no recorded ballot for either candidate in the 2024 general election. Ashby’s voting history further reflects no participation in the 2020, 2022, or 2024 general elections, while Little’s record shows no ballot cast in 2024.

According to official state data, approximately 64.94% of Arkansas’s 1,828,133 registered voters cast ballots in the 2024 general election, the race in which Republican nominee Donald Trump defeated Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.

Political analysts say a candidate’s personal voting history can influence perceptions among voters. “If you can’t show up to vote in a presidential election, you’re probably not ready to be a U.S. Senator,” said a political strategist. “This is frankly shocking, and suggests that Arkansans may question whether someone who refused to vote for President Trump is ready to be the Republican nominee for the United States Senate.”

Both candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2026. The Arkansas Reporter contacted Ashby and Little for comment regarding their voting histories.

Jeb Little told the Arkansas Reporter, "I’d like to say I was laid up in the hospital and unable to vote, but the honest truth is that I can’t recall exactly what kept me from the polls that day. We had just moved 3.5 hours away from our previous home and were still settling into the new one while maintaining two properties. Both my wife and I work demanding jobs with long, unrelenting hours, and we have three young children to care for. Life was chaotic, and something slipped through the cracks—even though voting has always been important to me. I proudly voted for President Trump in 2016 and 2020, and I supported him again in 2024. But on that particular day, I simply cannot tell you what happened—I’ve slept since then, and I’m far from perfect. I suspect most of us have all been there at one point in our life. I hope this provides the clarity you’re seeking. God bless."

The so-called “Microsoft standard” was presented as a response to concerns that AI facilities could saddle ratepayers with higher utility bills, strained electric grids, and infrastructure costs not matched by local benefit. In Arkansas, where data center recruitment is now central to the state’s economic pitch, those concerns are no longer theoretical.

Now, competitors have announced similar commitments, suggesting Microsoft’s pledge was not an outlier but the beginning of a new industry norm.

Anthropic: The Next Follower

On February 11, 2026, Anthropic, the San Francisco-based AI startup behind the Claude chatbot, announced it would adopt a similar cost-coverage model for its data center expansion. The company pledged to cover the full cost of grid upgrades needed to connect its facilities and ensure expansion does not lead to higher residential electricity prices.

Anthropic’s statement echoed Microsoft’s core message: “AI companies shouldn’t leave American ratepayers to pick up the tab.” The company also committed to helping bring new generation onto the grid and investing in technology that allows facilities to reduce usage during peak demand.

The announcements come amid growing national scrutiny over data centers’ energy footprints. According to a 2024 Department of Energy report, U.S. data centers consumed about 4.4% of total electricity in 2023 and could rise to between 6.7% and 12% by 2028, driven largely by AI and cloud demand. That growth curve has intensified debate in statehouses and utility commissions over who ultimately pays for the build-out.

What This Means for Arkansas

Arkansas’ push to attract data center investment, including a recently announced $6 billion project near Little Rock, positions the state to be a significant player in the AI infrastructure space. But it also forces Arkansas to confront the same cost-allocation fights already playing out in faster-growing states.

Utilities in Arkansas, including the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC), have emphasized the need for deliberate planning so that rapid growth doesn’t “adversely impact rates on existing members” or require unplanned grid expansion. If the Microsoft model becomes industry practice, Arkansas lawmakers will have far stronger footing to demand similar guarantees from future developers.

Political Support for Accountability

The “pay your own way” model has quickly moved from corporate messaging into political talking points. President Donald Trump praised Microsoft’s pledge, arguing Americans should not shoulder the energy costs of Big Tech.

U.S. Senator Tom Cotton reinforced that position in a statement to the Arkansas Reporter, stating, “Data centers can’t mean higher energy prices. These companies should foot the bill for the power they use, not hardworking Arkansans.”

Cotton has previously pointed to his DATA Act as part of a broader effort to modernize large-scale data infrastructure while shielding ratepayers from increased utility costs.

In Little Rock, lawmakers continue to support data center recruitment, but there is growing focus on pairing incentives with clear protections so economic growth does not translate into higher costs for Arkansas families.

A New Competitive Landscape for Data Centers

Two major AI firms committing to absorb infrastructure costs mark a significant shift in how the industry responds to public pressure. Following Microsoft’s announcement, Anthropic’s follow-on pledge signals momentum and puts pressure on companies that might prefer the old cost-sharing model.

As more firms commit to paying their own way, Arkansas leaders will eventually face a clear choice: codify the standard or rely on corporate goodwill. In the AI arms race, landing the project is only half the battle. How it’s built and who pays may define the long-term winners.

Senator Hester made plain he was “very clear” with contacts at the university that he disapproved of the hire once he learned of Suski’s public advocacy. This included her decision to sign an amicus brief supporting transgender students’ participation in sports, a position Hester and fellow Republicans say conflicts with Arkansas law.

Hester didn’t walk it back. He stood by his comments and laid out his reasoning.

“This Has Been the Practice”

One criticism of the university’s decision has been that it sets a precedent: if lawmakers can intervene here, what’s to stop future legislatures, Republican or Democrat, from pressuring public universities over hires they don’t like?

Hester rejects that framing.

“This has been the practice in Arkansas for more than a generation,” he told The Arkansas Reporter. “Now that a conservative should get a fair chance at these jobs, the left has changed their position to say political beliefs should no longer be part of the evaluation.”

In Hester’s view, this isn’t a new power grab. It’s transparency about a process that has existed for years.

Who Teaches the Future?

A deeper concern from critics is academic freedom: shouldn’t law schools train students to understand all sides of a legal debate, not only positions aligned with one political majority?

Hester is unwavering.

“It is imperative that students are shown all sides and expected to learn all points of view. It is also important the point of view from which these perspectives are taught.”

He added:

“I agree students should be taught that sex/gender is a topic debated in the judiciary but I want that perspective taught from someone who believes in objective truth just as the majority of Arkansans expect.”

For Hester, this isn’t about shutting down debate. It is about who leads the debate and the institution where the debate takes place.

Oversight, Not Gate-Keeping

Some have labeled the intervention ideological gate-keeping. Hester calls it accountability.

“Elected oversight is important because it is the way the constituents get heard. Anyone that says elected representatives should not have a say in tax money spending is saying the constituents should not have a voice.”

His point: when taxpayer dollars are funding an institution, those voters, through their elected officials, have a stake in how leadership decisions are made.

What’s Next

The university’s statement maintains it still holds Suski “in high regard,” even as it moves in a “different direction.” According to the university, Dean Cynthia Nance will “continue to serve as dean of the school through June 30, 2026, as planned,” and the university has “decided to conclude the current dean search” while beginning the process of identifying an interim dean to succeed Nance.

In an environment where political influence over public institutions is often exercised quietly, the disagreement itself is not unusual. The openness about it is.

That debate is now reaching a boiling point at both the state and national levels, driven in part by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) computing that fuels the next generation of business services and digital products.

Modern AI-driven data centers draw power at a scale comparable to small cities, with an electricity demand footprint in some cases equivalent to more than 100,000 households, and they consume billions of gallons of water annually for cooling operations, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). These trends are only expected to rise as demand grows.

These resource demands have sparked concerns about grid strain, water availability, and rising utility costs for families and small businesses, a theme that has surfaced across multiple communities nationwide.

Those concerns are not theoretical in Arkansas, where electric cooperatives, which serve much of rural and small-town Arkansas, are now fielding a surge of data-center inquiries.

Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation’s Economic Development Director JD Lowery told the Arkansas Reporter that cooperatives are moving deliberately and responsibly as interest accelerates.

“Electric cooperatives in Arkansas have experienced a similar level of interest in data centers as the rest of the county,” Lowery said. “The cooperatives are approaching these opportunities with strategic, long-term planning and a commitment to protecting the Arkansas electric cooperative members. While the cooperatives have seen significant interest and are actively working with data center prospects, the projects are being approached in a manner that ensures the data centers do not adversely impact rates on existing members, reliability or long-term system needs. Cooperatives exist to serve members, not to chase growth for growth’s sake. That’s why each inquiry is being approached responsibly to ensure that new developments strengthen the electric cooperative power infrastructure.”

The stakes are particularly high in Arkansas. The state is currently courting a surge of investment in data infrastructure, including a newly announced $6 billion data center project near Little Rock, intended to support cloud computing and AI operations. This would be among the largest single-project investments in state history.

Facilities of that size can require hundreds of megawatts of continuous electricity, comparable to the load of hundreds of thousands of homes. Meeting that demand often necessitates new transmission lines, substations, and power generation. In other states, consumer advocates have warned that without careful rate structures, grid expansion costs can be shifted onto residential and small-business customers.

At the same time, Arkansas has passed and updated a series of legislative measures that tilt the scales toward development:

• In 2023, HB 1654 was enacted, providing sales and use tax exemptions for data center equipment, services, and even electricity used by these facilities, a boon for industry expansion.

• In 2025, lawmakers amended and clarified those incentives further with enhanced definitions and eligibility criteria to attract large-scale facilities.

The legislature’s approach reflects a broader strategy to position Arkansas as business-friendly, but it has also drawn criticism from some local voices worried that tax waivers and incentives could come at the expense of long-term public costs. As scrutiny intensifies, some technology companies are beginning to respond.

Into this debate steps one of the nation’s largest technology firms. On January 13, 2026, Microsoft unveiled its new “Community-First AI Infrastructure” plan - a five-point commitment intended to reshape how data centers are built and operated in the United States.

Rather than relying on traditional industry conventions, Microsoft’s framework includes commitments to:

• Pay full electricity costs so local residential utility rates do not rise due to data center demand, including funding necessary grid upgrades with local power providers.

• Collaborate on and finance water infrastructure upgrades, while replenishing more water than it withdraws in local systems.

• Create local jobs through construction training and ongoing operational roles and invest in community education.

• Add to the tax base by committing to pay full property taxes and not seeking special abatements that shift costs to neighbors.

• Invest in AI training, local nonprofits, and educational partnerships that build long-term community capacity.

Microsoft’s President Brad Smith described the efforts as ensuring the gains of infrastructure growth are not outweighed by public cost. This is a signal that tech leaders are increasingly listening to local concerns.

The announcement was quickly praised by President Donald Trump, who said Americans should not “pick up the tab” for Big Tech’s power consumption and that technology companies must “pay their own way.”

Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton echoed that message, amplifying Trump’s comments and highlighting his DATA Act, which seeks to modernize how large-scale data infrastructure is powered while protecting consumers from higher energy costs.

The response reflects a growing consensus among conservatives: AI leadership is critical, but the costs should not be passed on to ratepayers.

Industry analysts say Microsoft’s framework could become a model or a pressure point for other technology firms. As public resistance to data center expansion grows nationwide, companies may increasingly face demands to justify their footprint with concrete, enforceable commitments.

Whether other firms follow Microsoft’s lead remains to be seen. What is clear is that the debate has moved beyond abstract promises of growth and into a more grounded discussion of accountability.

Arkansas is no longer testing the waters on data centers. The state is eager to attract investment, but communities are paying closer attention to how that investment affects energy prices, water resources, and local infrastructure.

As Microsoft’s initiatives raise the bar nationally, Arkansas policymakers and residents alike may begin asking a simple question of future developers: Will you pay your own way, too?

“I can’t speak for the University of Arkansas,” Hester said, “but from my position, I was very clear with my contacts at the University of Arkansas how much I disapproved of that hire,” he told KATV.

Hester said his concerns centered on Suski’s public legal advocacy, including her decision to sign a friend-of-the-court (amicus) brief filed at the U.S. Supreme Court supporting transgender students’ participation in school sports, a position he and other Republican officials argue directly conflicts with Arkansas law and the state’s education policy priorities.

Over the past several years, Arkansas lawmakers have moved aggressively to define sex-based policy in education. In 2021, the legislature passed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act (Act 461), restricting participation in girls’ and women’s sports based on biological sex, and the SAFE Act (Act 626), limiting puberty blockers and gender-transition procedures for minors. Lawmakers followed in 2023 with Act 317, defining sex on the basis of biology, and Act 542, the “Given Name Act,” protecting school employees from being compelled to use preferred pronouns.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders reinforced those priorities in a 2024 executive order directing state agencies and schools to resist the Biden administration’s Title IX rule changes and emphasizing that “sex is an immutable characteristic of the human body,” framing women’s sports, privacy, and free speech as core state interests.

Against that backdrop, Republican leaders said Suski’s legal positions raised concerns about whether she was the right fit to lead a publicly funded law school in Arkansas. In addition to the Supreme Court brief, lawmakers also cited a 2022 letter Suski signed with hundreds of law professors supporting the confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, according to reporting by the Arkansas Advocate and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Only after those objections were raised did the University of Arkansas reverse course.

The university confirmed it rescinded Suski’s offer after receiving feedback from “key external stakeholders” about her “fit” for the role and decided to “go a different direction,” while emphasizing it continues to hold her “in high regard,” according to a statement from the Office of Provost.

Suski, a professor and associate dean at the University of South Carolina’s Joseph F. Rice School of Law, said she was “disappointed and hurt” by the decision and was told the reversal was not based on her qualifications but on “outside influence,” according to the Arkansas Advocate.

Civil-liberties and academic-freedom organizations criticized the move, warning it sends a chilling message to faculty. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) called the reversal “political interference in academic decision-making,” while the ACLU of Arkansas said it was unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech.

University officials have not said when the search for a new dean will restart, only that they intend to “go a different direction” in filling the vacancy. A spokesperson told the Arkansas Advocate that, to his knowledge, nothing like this has happened at the law school before and that next steps are still being determined.