Dr. Jo Alice Blondin
FORT SMITH, AR. — The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) Board of Trustees has appointed Jo Alice Blondin, PhD, as Interim President, effective July 13, 2026.
Dr. Blondin brings 33 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education and a distinguished record of service to students, institutions, and accrediting organizations. Most recently, she served as President of Clark State College in Springfield, Ohio. Her career also includes service as Chair and Trustee of the Higher Learning Commission Board of Trustees and as Chancellor of Arkansas Tech University–Ozark Campus.
Throughout her career, Dr. Blondin has been recognized for her commitment to student success, institutional excellence, and strategic growth. Her leadership experience spans community colleges, universities, and national higher education organizations, where she has helped guide institutions through periods of innovation, expansion, and transformation.
As Interim President, Dr. Blondin will provide leadership and guidance as ACHE continues its mission of educating future healthcare professionals and advancing excellence in health sciences education.
“Dr. Blondin is a proven leader whose career has been defined by a commitment to student success, academic excellence, and institutional growth,” said Mike Barr, Chair of the ACHE Board of Trustees. “The Board is confident that her experience, vision, and collaborative leadership style will serve ACHE well during this transition. We are pleased to welcome her to the institution and look forward to working with her as we continue building on ACHE’s strong foundation.”
Dr. Blondin said she is honored to join the institution and support its mission. “I am excited to join Arkansas Colleges of Health Education and to work alongside its dedicated faculty, staff, students, and community partners,” said Dr. Blondin. “ACHE has established an outstanding reputation for educating healthcare professionals and serving the region through innovation and excellence. I look forward to supporting the institution’s continued growth and helping advance its mission of improving health and healthcare outcomes through education.”
She added, “Returning to Arkansas is especially meaningful to me. Earlier in my career, I had the opportunity to live and work in this area, and it became a place that I truly cherished both personally and professionally. The opportunities I found here contributed significantly to my growth as a higher education leader. I am excited to return and contribute to the continued success of ACHE and its mission of educating the next generation of healthcare professionals.”