LITTLE ROCK – Dr. Steve Rook, chancellor of Arkansas State University Three Rivers in Malvern for the past 10 years, has been selected as president of Connors State College in Warner, Okla., effective July 1.
Rook became the fourth president of the former College of the Ouachitas in 2016, then became chancellor of the campus when it joined the ASU System and changed its name in 2020. He has worked in higher education at four different institutions for 36 years.
“We appreciate Dr. Rook’s service to ASU Three Rivers and wish him the best at Connors State,” said Dr. Robin Myers, interim president of the ASU System. “We will work with our Board of Trustees to develop an interim plan for moving forward.”
Rook is a first-generation college student born and was raised in southeast Arkansas. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and doctorate at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
“Serving ASU Three Rivers has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Rook said. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together to expand educational opportunities, strengthen workforce partnerships and support student success. This institution and community will always hold a special place in my heart.”
He started his professional career at Cameron University in Lawton, Okla., then returned to his home state to be the associate dean of students at UALR. He entered the two-year college environment by accepting a position at University of Arkansas Rich Mountain (RMCC), where he served in various roles for 16 years prior to joining what is now ASU Three Rivers.
Connors State College, with enrollment of 2,000 students, is a state-supported residential, two-year college established in 1908 with its main campus located in Warner and a branch campus in Muskogee.