Kincaid Named Acting Chancellor at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Bobbitt outlines plans for future campus leadership

LITTLE ROCK (June 21, 2021) — University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt today named Bill Kincaid, managing associate general counsel at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, as acting chancellor of the flagship university effective immediately.

Bobbitt said Kincaid, a Fayetteville native, will serve in the acting role for “a few weeks” while he visits with stakeholders of the university to identify the best person to lead the campus through the next academic year and beyond.

Bobbitt announced the decision in a letter to the campus community earlier today, where he reiterated the institution’s solid standing and his resolve to move forward.

“I am committed to working with the Board of Trustees, the campus community, and all supporters of the university in pursuing a path to finding the next chancellor of the University of Arkansas,” Bobbitt wrote. “While I know the decision by Chancellor Steinmetz to resign from his position last week came as a surprise to many, the University of Arkansas remains in a strong position and prepared for a bright future.”

Kincaid, 55, has served as associate general counsel at the institution since 2000, and as managing associate general counsel since 2018.

“Mr. Kincaid has more than two decades of high-level experience at the University of Arkansas being involved in an array of campus-wide issues and is a great fit to meet this immediate need on campus,” Bobbitt said. “I appreciate his willingness to take on this temporary role and I’m confident that the university’s daily operations and relations are in capable hands.”

Kincaid is a 1988 honors graduate of Yale University. He obtained his law degree in 1993 from the University of Virginia. He also holds a master’s in public affairs from Princeton University through a joint program. Prior to joining the University of Arkansas, Kincaid worked with the U.S. Department of Education and the White House Domestic Policy Council. He also previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard S. Arnold, who at that time was Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He is married to Missy Darwin Kincaid and has two children currently attending the University of Arkansas.

“I appreciate Dr. Bobbitt asking me to serve in this capacity,” Kincaid said. “It’s an honor, especially as we continue to celebrate our 150^th year serving the State of Arkansas. I look forward to working with our outstanding leadership team, faculty and staff over the next few weeks to keep the university moving forward. We have a lot of work to do to get ready to welcome students this fall and continue progress on a range of initiatives.”

Former Chancellor Joseph E. Steinmetz sent a letter to campus signifying his immediate resignation on June 17, and an official letter of resignation was received and accepted by Bobbitt on June 18. Steinmetz led the institution since he became the sixth chancellor of the University of Arkansas in January 2016.