On November 1, 2024, Dr. Leslie Rodriguez-McClellon was appointed the 17th President of Arkansas Baptist College, making history as the first woman to lead the institution in a permanent capacity. With over 25 years of transformative leadership in higher education, Dr. Rodriguez-McClellon brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to advancing student success and institutional excellence.
Before joining Arkansas Baptist College, Dr. Rodriguez-McClellon served as the Senior Vice President of Student Experience at Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC. Her leadership journey has included significant roles such as Chief of Staff and Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives at Southern University at Shreveport (SUSLA) and President of Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) in Rochester, MN, where she was the first president of color. She has also held leadership positions at the Community College of Denver, Arizona Western College, and Langston University, demonstrating a deep commitment to creating programs and systems that foster academic success for diverse student populations.
Dr. Rodriguez-McClellon is known for her dedication to strengthening institutional operations and preparing students for the global marketplace. Her expertise spans strategic planning, enrollment management, workforce development, and financial planning. She has a proven track record of transforming institutions, enhancing community relations, closing achievement gaps for underserved populations, and improving retention and academic programs.
A third-generation graduate of Langston University, Dr. Rodriguez-McClellon earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education. She holds a Doctor of Education in Adult Learning and Leadership from Kansas State University. Her career began at Langston University as a financial aid counselor and has since spanned various institutional types, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs).
Dr. Rodriguez-McClellon has served on numerous boards, reflecting her commitment to community service and higher education advancement. She has also facilitated leadership programs and presented extensively on topics such as leadership, student success, and diversity. Her scholarly contributions include research on change management and social-emotional learning programs for HBCU students.
Raised in Oklahoma, Dr. Rodriguez-McClellon is the proud mother of a daughter who is an educator and self-published writer. As president of Arkansas Baptist College, Dr. Rodriguez-McClellon is poised to lead the institution into a new era of growth, innovation, and student achievement.
