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The University of Arkansas at Monticello has announced the appointment of Dr. Shuneize Slater as dean of the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences. Dr. Slater joins the leadership team at UAM with extensive knowledge of the university and its traditional service area. She grew up in Dumas, Arkansas, and graduated from UAM in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry.

She earned her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2015 from the University of Mississippi. Since 2016, Dr. Slater has been on the faculty at Rock Valley College in Illinois as an assistant professor of general and organic chemistry and as head of the Organic Chemistry division.

Crystal Halley, UAM’s vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, says Dr. Slater’s knowledge of UAM and southeast Arkansas, her dynamic personality and her innovative approaches to serving students make her an ideal leader at a time of evolution and enhancement of university services. “Dr. Slater will help move UAM into a future of ever greater excellence and achievement and accommodation of the needs and interests of our students.”

The School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences houses programs and courses in math, biology, chemistry, physics, physical science and earth science and is highly respected throughout the region and state for its successful pre-professional studies in dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy and allied health (physical therapy, radiological technology, respiratory therapy, medical technology, occupational therapy and dental hygiene). 

Dr. Slater says she looks forward to the opportunities and challenges of her new position, stating, “Returning to southeast Arkansas and UAM fulfills a dream I have long had to serve the community I grew up in and the university that served me so well as an undergraduate.”

Dean Slater’s appointment began on August 1.