New Chancellor Ricky Tompkins Focuses on Skills, Support, and Community Growth

Hope, Ark. – When Ricky Tompkins stepped onto the University of Arkansas Hope–Texarkana campus for his first day as chancellor on February 9, 2026, it felt less like the start of a new role and more like a return to his roots. Born in Hope and a proud graduate of Hope High School, Tompkins carries with him a deep affection for the people and teachers who helped shape his life. He often recalls the affirmations and encouragement he received from his former teachers, reminders of where his journey began and what hard work and sacrifice can accomplish.

His academic path led him beyond Hope to East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, then to Henderson State University, and later to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His professional journey took him to Little Rock, Hot Springs, and Rogers, working most recently with the Division of Agriculture. But every step, he believes, prepared him to return home at just the right moment. As he put it with a smile, “The good life is based on Hope, which is more than just a saying; it’s a way of life.”

Tompkins believes UAHT is unique because it is deeply embedded in the community that surrounds it. Its vision and values aren’t abstract; they come directly from the families, industries, and students of the region. With 1,500 students, both on campus and online, the college serves Hope and its nearby counties with a purpose rooted in service. He understands the importance of supporting first-generation and low-income students because he was once one himself. That experience fuels his passion for ensuring students have access to federal aid and the support they need to thrive.

Only days into the job, Tompkins speaks with enthusiasm that makes it clear he already loves the work. He sees tremendous possibilities in UAHT’s future and the future of the students it serves. He often says that community growth and college growth go hand in hand. For Hope to attract new employers and support strong local businesses, the region needs skilled workers—and UAHT must help prepare them. At the same time, he believes education should extend beyond technical training. Students should leave not only with skills but also with leadership qualities, confidence, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

He describes the Hope Texarkana area as a caring community deeply committed to its students’ success. He wants UAHT to reflect that spirit—a welcoming place where every student feels supported and encouraged to exceed their goals. He also offers a simple piece of advice he believes can change a person’s life: “Each person needs five people, friends, who are there to support and affirm, and who care.”

Tompkins speaks openly about the challenges and rewards of building a strong community, noting that progress often comes through what he calls a “battle of attrition” and through constructive conversations that move people forward together. And no matter how far his own journey has taken him, his heart has never been far from home.

While settling into his new role in Hope, his wife, Martha, and son, Luca, remain in Rogers for now. Martha works as a K–12 administrator, and Luca is a junior in high school and a track athlete. Though the distance isn’t easy, the family is excited for this new chapter, and the calling Tompkins feels so strongly. For him, becoming chancellor at UAHT is more than a professional milestone—it is a return to the community that shaped him and a chance to help others build brighter futures of their own. Hope, he believes, is not just the name of the town where he was raised. It is a way of living, a foundation for opportunity, and the place where dreams can become possible.