ASU’s Biggest Fan – Dr. Todd Shields

Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – May 10, 2024 – Dr. Todd Shields, the Chancellor at Arkansas State University, recently sat down with JonesboroRightNow to discuss this extremely dynamic role. 

His job is a whirlwind of responsibilities that touch every corner of university life. He handles the usual administrative tasks like admissions and class schedules, but he’s also knee-deep in tackling internal issues like HR management and ensuring fair pay practices, but it doesn’t stop there. Shields is also heavily involved in outward-facing activities like seeking scholarships and forging partnerships with local industries to secure great opportunities for graduates.

Dr. Shields isn’t afraid of the unexpected. Whether it’s rubbing shoulders with dignitaries, addressing security concerns, or traveling internationally for events like commencements and meetings, he’s always on the ball.

Dr. Shields reflects on his journey into academia, tracing it back to his days as a lifeguard in Atlantic City. His academic journey initially led him to pursue engineering before an American National Government Class prompted a shift in focus towards the complexities of political and social issues.

“I went to college and was in Engineering for 2 or 3 years and then I took an American National Government Class. We were debating the death penalty, and morality of war, and abortion, free speech and all these things. And I was like, ‘My God, this is much more interesting than the tensile strength of a bridge!'”

This intellectual awakening steered him toward a career in education, where he found fulfillment in teaching and administration. After completing his undergraduate studies at Miami University in Ohio and Ohio State University, he pursued a graduate program at the University of Kentucky. In 1994, he began in administration at the University of Arkansas. He was eventually appointed to leadership positions with the Clinton School and Fulbright College.

However, his desire to have a more direct impact on students’ lives led him to pursue the position of Chancellor at Arkansas State University in 2022.

His decision to move to Jonesboro was further influenced by fond memories shared by his daughter, Savvy, who praised the warmth and hospitality of Jonesboro. Notably, Shields’ daughter Savvy was crowned Miss Arkansas 2016 and Miss America in 2017. She expressed that during her Miss Arkansas stint, she spent more time in Jonesboro than in any other city.

“She was like, ‘Dad, these are the nicest people. You’ll love this place. You’ve got to apply.'”

“Even way back then, she was saying how great this place was. So, when the job opened up, I was like okay, this is it, let’s do it.”

This convergence of personal and professional factors ultimately propelled him to seize the opportunity, marking the beginning of his tenure as Chancellor at Arkansas State University.

Dr. Shields gave kudos to some key players who’ve had a big impact on his career journey. One standout is Chuck Welch, immediate past President of the ASU System, whom he met back in his University of Arkansas days. Seeing Welch’s rise within the institution gave Shields a real insight into where things were headed at ASU. When the opportunity to transfer to Arkansas State University came up, Welch pushed Shields to go for it.

He also gave shoutouts to other mentors like Dan Ferriter, John White, David Gerhardt, and the late Senator David Pryor. Pryor, especially, made a deep impression, “He was a great mentor to me. He’s one of these people that could have easily had a huge ego but didn’t. He just really cared about the state and really cared about the people.”

Noting the decline in public funding and the resulting hike in tuition fees, Shields dove into the changing landscape of education. With social media’s sway on student attention, he stresses the need for innovative teaching methods over traditional lectures. He discussed multitasking myths, showing how distractions harm learning.

“We’re going to continue to involve students more in their own learning, because if they’re grabbing something and doing something with their hands, or they’re doing something in a group, or they’re involved in experiential learning, they’re going to stay involved and engaged.”

Dr. Shields sees the future of education focusing on active student involvement, pushing for experiential learning and group activities. He looks to address attention span challenges and the need for practical life skills, especially needed in a world influenced by digital platforms like TikTok. He also discussed how the pandemic worsened social skills due to isolation.

Shields reflected on his choice to settle in Arkansas in the early ’90s, driven not by grand plans but a desire for stability after a childhood of frequent moves. Despite occasional temptations elsewhere, he and his wife, Karen, were drawn back by the community, enduring friendships, and unique opportunities. Their commitment reflects strategic decision-making and genuine affection for Arkansas, recognizing its advantages for their family’s well-being and future prospects amidst a childhood shaped by mobility.

“We planted roots, which we never had as kids. We both moved around a lot. So, I think unconsciously we planted roots here, and we wanted our kids to grow up here. We love Arkansas.”

When asked about the contrast between Northeast and Northwest Arkansas and confronted with the question “Why are people leaving here to go there?,” Shields came back with a tongue-in-cheek “Yeah, they’re gonna stop doing that!”

Historically, people have moved from Northeast to Northwest Arkansas for a multitude of reasons, but NEA is gaining momentum, especially with growth in the steel industry. Shields explained how Northwest Arkansas focuses on collective growth, aligning educational growth with key local industries like retail and tech.

There’s excitement about the economic potential of Northeast Arkansas, with strategic partnerships and initiatives in place to drive growth and awareness about the region’s opportunities, particularly in the steel industry.

Regarding the local economy, Shields expressed the sentiment “If they grow, we grow.” He explained that Northeast Arkansas is “the mecca of steel in the United States. We produce more steel in this region than any other place in the United States, and it’s only growing.” He spoke about how Arkansas State University is changing based on the local steel industry, “We’re pivoting because we want our students to have extremely lucrative jobs. Right? And what do these companies need? Employees.”

He emphasized the need for better marketing and communication efforts to showcase Northeast Arkansas’s potential and attract talent and investment.

“So, I will say in 10 years from now, you’re gonna see a totally different Northeast Arkansas. You’re gonna see a lot of kids not only wanting to stay here, but people moving here because this is where a lot of action is.”