Dr. Rachel Eells, interim director of the School of Education from 2023-2024, has been named the inaugural Windgate Foundation Endowed Director at UA Little Rock. The Windgate Foundation’s $3.5 million grant is intended to promote UA Little Rock’s reform of teacher education as it strives to become the state’s preeminent teacher provider.

Eells has almost a decade of leadership experience in higher education, having held positions as a faculty member, department chair, dean, and vice president. She has created new college programs, directed a college restructure, and has a thorough understanding of accreditation, assessment, and compliance procedures.

Her research is interdisciplinary, focusing on leadership, innovation, psychology, and education.
She was just chosen to Soirée Magazine’s 2024 Class of Women to Watch. Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE), which houses the School of Education, praised Dr. Eells for leading the pilot year of the Forward Arkansas-funded teacher residency program in partnership with Jacksonville North Pulaski School District and Little Rock School District.

“We are elated to have her in the director position to continue the transformation of our educator preparation program in the School of Education.”

Experienced leader with a track record of working in the higher education sector. Experienced in higher education administration, crisis communication and management, accreditation compliance, curriculum development, public speaking, teaching, and academic administration. Strong leader with a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Psychology from Loyola University Chicago.

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