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 STEM 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.

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.

About Hot Springs

Learn more about living in Hot Springs

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 Workday system. More 
information is available at asmsa.me/execdirsearch25. 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

Qualifications

Required
• Proven leadership experience with demonstrated capacity to lead complex 
organizations using shared governance.
• Strong record in institutional administration such as fiscal oversight, strategic 
planning, operational management, and resource allocation.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability 
to engage and build trust among diverse constituencies (students, faculty, 
staff, alumni, donors, governmental bodies).
• Master’s degree or equivalent.

Preferred
• Administrative leadership in a secondary school environment with selective 
admissions and/or strong gifted and talented programming and/or a 
residential model, or in a higher education setting with rigorous academic 
and artistic programs.
• Teaching experience, especially with high-achieving or gifted learners.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relations, or community 
engagement.
• Familiarity with outreach initiatives, student research, teacher and staff 
professional development, or distance learning.
• A terminal degree.