Ben Sells

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT BEN SELLS

Mission-driven, people-focused, and results-oriented university president. Through the efforts of many, following are some Ouachita accomplishments since 2016:> Increased total enrollment by 20%(during same time, total university in the state decreased 8%).> Enhanced net revenue per student while managing the discount rate (rate decreased this year).> Achieved a four-year graduate rate that\'s about twice the state average; placement rate is 99% while national average is 84%.> Started new undergraduate programs in Criminal Justice, Engineering, and Nursing.> Launched graduate education with programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, Counseling, Dietetics/Nutrition, Education, Exercise Science, and MBA.> Secured $88 million in gifts, more than any seven-year period for the university.> Improved financial strength (strongest in 25 years).> Acquired eight acres to expand campus, facilitating a $25 million redevelopment including a 144-bed student apartment complex and a for-profit pediatric health clinic.> Remained fully in-person during the 2020-21 academic \"covid year\" by combining common sense with health insights, and campus-wide cooperation. Lisa and I spent a year teaching English in China during 1986 and lived in London in 2001. While I take seriously personal and professional commitments, I don’t take myself too seriously (e.g, I painted myself purple when Ouachita students met a goal). As the point-guard on our high school basketball team, I thrived at being the \"play-maker.\" It brought me more joy to make a good pass so someone else could score than taking the shot myself. My father always told me to “hustle,” so I dived after loose balls and aspired to be the hardest worker while also demonstrating good sportsmanship. In some ways, that still sums up my approach to leadership: help others, work hard, and be kind – all for the sake of achieving a larger cause.Non-profit board service includes the Malone Child Safety Center, Clark County Alliance for Economic Development, Arkansas Independent Colleges & Universities, and Great American Athletic Conference (2016-present).For-profit board service includes a privately held manufacturing company with $250 million-plus in annual sales (2023-present).