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ALUMNI BRINGS EXPERIENCE IN LAW, BUSINESS TO POST

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, October 9, 2009 11:49 PM CDT

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s School of Business and Management has a new business-minded leader.

Carla Meadows Martin

Carla Meadows Martin, a UAPB graduate, started Oct. 1 in her role as the new dean.

“This is a return to my roots,” Martin said. “It’s like coming full circle.”

Martin takes the spot formerly held by Dr. Hank Campbell who left the position in May.

After attending UAPB, Martin received a law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville in 2004.

This is not Martin’s first university job — she was an adjunct law professor while practicing at the Brown and McKissic Law Firm.

Before taking the dean’s spot, Martin held a position as the senior manager for supplier diversity at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Bentonville.

“She brings deep knowledge of the university’s mission and legacy along with experience in corporate America, a high energy level and a laudable vision for the School of Business and Management,” Dr. Mary E. Benjamin, vice chancellor for academic affairs, said in a press release.

Patricia Meadows, Martin’s mother, also teaches at UAPB and said the announcement came as pleasant surprise.

“We’re excited about her being home,” Meadows said.

“I think Carla has high expectations for her life and she has high expectations for the lives of those students that she will impact.”

Martin said she hopes to have a larger impact — in education, business and image — outside the university’s perimeters.

“It’s important that we let people know what we have here and how we can help them,” Martin said.

“I think the magic bullet is just letting people know our well-kept secret.”

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