Broadway appointed Arkansas State University Three Rivers interim chancellor

The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees appointed Shane Broadway, a former lawmaker and state higher education leader, interim chancellor of ASU Three Rivers Monday. 

Broadway, the current vice president for university relations, joined the ASU system in 2015 after serving as Arkansas Department of Higher Education director under Gov. Mike Beebe and Gov. Asa Hutchinson for four years. 

He also served three terms in the Arkansas House, two terms in the Senate and became the youngest Speaker of the House when he was elected to the role in 2001, according to a press release. 

Broadway replaces Steve Rook who announced Thursday he would resign to become president of Connors State College in Oklahoma effective July 1 after a decade leading ASU Three Rivers, according to a press release. 

“This is an important time for Three Rivers, and I look forward to working closer with the team there and serving our students,” Broadway said in a statement. “I want to thank Steve and Connie Rook for their service and contributions to Three Rivers and the Malvern community.”

Broadway, who begins his additional duties at ASU Three Rivers May 15, received an honorary associate’s degree from the institution in 2011 when it was Ouachita Technical College. ASU merged with the college in 2020.

“We appreciate Shane’s willingness to step into this leadership role at Three Rivers,” said Robin Myers, interim president of the ASU System. “Shane is a known, trusted colleague for our Three Rivers team and has also been heavily involved in its workforce development partnership with the Saline County Career and Technical Campus.”