Fulbright College Names Assistant Deans of Student Success and Inclusive Excellence

Two of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences’ top priorities have long been to foster and create an environment of both student success and one of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all.

To help better support these strategic areas of the college, earlier this spring Deborah Korth and Romona West were both named assistant deans for these priorities.

Korth is now the college’s Assistant Dean of Student Success, and West is now the college’s Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Initiatives.

Kathryn Sloan, interim dean of Fulbright College, said she is excited for Korth, West, and their teams, as well as for the students, faculty, and staff who will greatly benefit from their work in these vital areas.

“I have seen what a difference both Deb and Romona have already made for our students, faculty, staff and greater community in these areas,” Sloan said. “We’ve been so fortunate to have them and benefit from their insight, creativity, leadership, passion, and professional excellence.”

“I so pleased that both of them will continue to serve Fulbright College, now as assistant deans, to help ensure our college’s focus on student success, inclusive excellence, and strategic initiatives endures,” she added.

ABOUT DEBORAH KORTH

In Korth’s new role as Assistant Dean of Student Success, she will continue to serve as the chief student success officer for Fulbright College, focusing on providing strategic vision and planning, goal setting and metrics, while also supervising the college’s Instructor Coaches, Office of Fulbright Career Connections, those teaching student success courses, and student success liaisons.

“Over the years I have held many titles and been given diverse opportunities to work in both the classroom and administration. But what all of these roles have in common is at their core they are all focused on encouraging student learning and success,” Korth said. “I’m very excited to continue this focus and journey in my new role and to help students to succeed in education and in life.”

Korth also teaches and designs student success courses for the U of A and Fulbright College and serves as the U of A’s liaison to the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) where she helps faculty earn micro credentials in Effective College Teaching. Additionally, she plans and leads faculty trainings and retreats to implement High Impact Practices (HIPs) for student success, leads presentations at new-student orientation, and continues to teach and mentor.

Korth has been with the U of A for more than 19 years, and additionally currently serves as the Provost’s Faculty Fellow for the General Education Learning Outcomes Assessment Project.

Formerly, she was director of the Math Resource and Teaching Center, vice chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, and director of the Enhanced Learning Center at the U of A. Her research interests include student persistence, success, general education curriculum assessment, and mathematics education. Students on campus may also know her as the professor for Destination Arkansas Blackboard Activities (DABA).

Korth earned an Ed.D. in higher education from the University of Arkansas, an M.Ed. in secondary mathematics education from North Carolina State University, and a B.S.E. in mathematics teaching from the University of Nebraska.

ABOUT ROMONA WEST

In West’s new role as Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Initiatives, she will continue to serve as the inaugural and chief academic diversity officer for Fulbright College, focusing on DEI vision, strategic planning, goal setting and metrics, while also providing education and strategic leadership support, modeling inclusive practices, and engaging in outreach and service.

“I’m very passionate about this new role, continuing to serve our faculty, staff, and students, and steadily growing our inclusive climate for the college,” West said. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion help us learn from one another, and to use this knowledge to create the best environment for people to be their best selves – a place where everyone has space and significance, and everyone knows that their contributions and lived experiences matter.”

West leads 68 faculty, student, and staff members in the college’s DEI Council and committees, partners with HR and academic departments on inclusive search and hiring practices, develops programming, communications, and best practices for inclusive excellence, and supports a diverse workforce for promotion, tenure, and retention through leadership development and mentoring. West also leads the Fulbright College DEI Student Ambassador program that focuses on increasing inclusivity and cultivating a greater sense of belonging throughout the college and the campus community. 

Prior to joining Fulbright College in 2019 as director of DEI, West was the assistant director of graduate recruitment and outreach for the U of A’s Graduate School and International Education, where she implemented effective strategies and programs to recruit diverse graduate students and domestic graduate students at large.

Previously, she worked for Walmart Stores, Inc. for 16 years leading teams, developing real estate strategies, serving as a diversity champion, working on numerous DEI initiatives, recruiting talent, and developing programs to help retain, engage, mentor, and grow talent. Additionally, West provides pro-bono legal services, is a certified Intercultural Development Inventory Qualified Administrator, teaches Business Law for Walton College, serves on the All University Student Conduct Board, and serves as a Title IX Advisor. She is also a member of the Higher Learning Commission’s Quality Initiative Committee for the university and a member of the Diversity Scholars Network.

West earned her J.D. and a B.S. in business administration with a focus in accounting from the University of Arkansas.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

“Our college truly is the academic heart and soul of the U of A, and having Deb and Romona in these roles will help ensure that together we will have a remarkable positive impact on our students, community, and beyond as we embody our college’s mission of ‘peace through education,’” Sloan said.

“It’s inspiring, exciting, and often times hard work, and I’m excited we’re all in it together,” she added.