Executive Director

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA)

University of Arkansas System

The Opportunity

The  University of Arkansas System  invites nominations and applications for the role of  Executive Director  of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts ( ASMSA ). One of only 17 residential public high schools of its kind in the United States, ASMSA enrolls roughly 250 sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are among Arkansas’ most academically and artistically gifted and highly motivated students. Additionally, via its  Pathways program , ASMSA impacts hundreds of teachers and nearly 4,000 students throughout the state each year. The reach of the school extends statewide beyond high school to 6th-9th graders through involvement in the  ASMSA Talent Identification Program , which discovers and develops talent in high-ability students and their teachers. Located in Hot Springs, this role offers a highly visible, mission-critical leadership position with statewide influence in advanced education, workforce development, and innovation.

About ASMSA

Founded by the Arkansas General Assembly in 1991, ASMSA is a premier public residential high school within the University of Arkansas System. The school has earned national recognition—by  The Washington Post ,  Newsweek ,  The Daily Beast, and Niche.com —for its excellence and service to high‐achieving students. It offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum spanning STEM, the arts, and humanities, combined with faculty mentorship and advanced research opportunities. The Residential Life staff creates holistic programming focused on the student experience resulting in healthy communities and student success.

ASMSA serves a highly diverse student body from all 75 Arkansas counties. Nearly half of its faculty hold terminal degrees. Graduating classes secure millions of dollars in competitive scholarships and widespread acceptance at leading colleges and universities. In addition, ASMSA assumes a leadership role across the state through technology outreach, distance learning, talent identification, teacher development, and innovation in emerging fields.

Responsibilities of the Executive Director

As chief executive officer, the Executive Director is accountable for :

• Faculty & Staff Development : inspiring excellence in teaching, learning, and research across disciplines, and cultivating a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth across all campus departments.
• Student Experience : fostering a supportive residential environment that develops intellectual curiosity, creativity, leadership, and personal responsibility with attention to students' mental and emotional wellbeing.
• Fiscal & Administrative Management : overseeing budgets, facilities, personnel, and ensuring compliance with university and state requirements.
• Strategic Planning & Innovation : leading long-range planning, program development, and initiatives aligned with the future of gifted education.
• Resource Development & Fundraising : building and stewarding relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, and funding partners.
• External Relations : representing ASMSA with state government, higher education, national organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Community Engagement : serving as an engaged, visible leader locally and statewide, and strengthening partnerships across civic, cultural, business, and educational sectors.

Qualifications

Required

Preferred

Living in Hot Springs

Hot Springs provides an outstanding environment for executive leadership, blending natural beauty, cultural richness, and small‐city livability. Bordering Hot Springs National Park and set amid the Ouachita Mountains, the city features thermal springs, historic architecture, scenic trails, and multiple lakes such as Hamilton, Catherine, and Ouachita. Downtown Hot Springs combines heritage charm with contemporary vitality : art galleries, theaters, restaurants, shops, and festivals contribute to a vibrant civic culture.

Strategically located in central Arkansas, Hot Springs affords access to Little Rock and other regional hubs, offering both connectivity and cost advantages. The combination of inspiring surroundings, affordability, and cultural amenities makes it a compelling place to live and lead.

Hot Springs, Arkansas | Hot Springs National Park Arkansas

Our Community | Hot Springs, AR - Official Website

Application Process

Nominations and expressions of interest may be submitted to Dr. Michael Moore, Vice President for Academic Affairs, at  mmoore@uasys.edu . Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae / resume and a letter of interest through the  asmsa.me / execdirsearch25  and click on Application Portal.

Priority will be given to applications received by  January 16, 2026 , though the search will remain open until the position is filled.

For more about ASMSA, its mission, programs, and impact, see  www.asmsa.org .

Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information or sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.