Trustees tab Shemwell as new ANC president

The Arkansas Northeastern College Board of Trustees has selected Dr. James Shemwell as the institution's new president.

This decision comes less than six months after the departure of previous president Dr. Robin Myers, who left ANC to take over as chancellor for Arkansas State University Mountain Home in August.

Shemwell, who has been with Arkansas Northeastern College since 1994, began his career at the college as the director of training and coordinator of the Osceola Center. With education and experience in banking and finance, he moved up the ranks, becoming dean for technical programs and training in 1999. He was then named vice president for finance in 2010, where he served until his promotion to president.

Shemwell left Blytheville High School after his 11th grade year to attend Arkansas Northeastern College (then Mississippi County Community College), he went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University and was named its "Top Graduate" by Arkansas Business. He later earned a master's degree in finance from Texas Tech University and a doctorate degree in organizational leadership from the University of Phoenix. From 1988 to 1994, he served as vice president of finance/chief financial officer at SouthBank, headquartered in Corinth, Miss.

"Dr. Shemwell is a product of the very institution he now leads -- what a wonderful testimony," said Clif Chitwood, chairman of the ANC Board of Trustees. "He is a loyal citizen of Mississippi County and we are very happy to have his vision and leadership as we plan to move Arkansas Northeastern College forward."

Shemwell added, "Arkansas Northeastern College has a rich history of successes and benchmark achievements, but our best years are ahead of us. With great humility and tremendous enthusiasm I look forward to working alongside our college's outstanding faculty and staff."

Shemwell and his wife Bridget live in Osceola.

With the board meeting its initial deadline for finding a new president before Jan. 1, 2013, Shemwell is likely to take office at the first of the year, according to Rachel Gifford, dean for development, but no official announcement has been made yet.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com