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Written By: Rachel Putman
When Blake Rickman was selected for the Executive Leadership Academy, he expected to learn more about the complexities of college leadership and the challenges facing college presidents. What he found over the course of the year was something even more valuable: a deeper conviction in the mission of regional public universities and the people who lead them.
Rickman, executive vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of Ď㽶ĘÓƵAPP – Fort Smith, finished his term in the highly selective academy earlier this year, closing out a year of in-depth mentorship, executive coaching, and intensive study of the higher education landscape. He was the only leader from the state of Ď㽶ĘÓƵAPP in the academy, which is sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the American Academic Leadership Institute.
The experience, Rickman says, reinforced beliefs he has carried over throughout his career, while deepening his understanding of what modern university leadership requires.
"These jobs are more complicated than they have ever been," Rickman said. "One of the most valuable takeaways was the depth of information I was exposed to and the network of people I now have access to across a variety of disciplines and adjacent industries. You have to have experts you can rely on as higher education navigates both current and future challenges.”
The academy brought together 36 leaders from colleges and universities across North America, with intensive in-person sessions in Washington, D.C., and a slate of remote sessions. Throughout the year, participants engaged with current and former university presidents, studied issues ranging from enrollment and finance to governance and public policy, and developed professional growth plans tailored to their individual leadership goals.
“It gave me a much broader understanding of the state of higher education as a whole,” Rickman said. “I came away with a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities shaping our industry, the innovative work happening across higher education, and greater confidence in my ability to lead through what’s ahead.”
Those lessons align with the leadership philosophy Rickman has developed during nearly two decades in higher education.
"Leadership starts with trust," Rickman said. "People have to trust that you'll support them, help them grow, and make the right decisions, especially when those decisions are difficult."
That trust, he said, begins with people rather than organizational charts.
"Employees aren't just positions, offices, or email addresses. They're people first," Rickman said. "And for people to thrive at work, they need balance. That's not something a leader can simply talk about; it has to be modeled."
That philosophy has shaped Rickman's work since arriving at UAFS in 2019. During his tenure, the university has seen tremendous growth. The UAFS Foundation’s assets have doubled, growing from approximately $90 million to nearly $180 million. After bringing marketing and communications under his leadership, the departments led a complete rebrand and website redesign that propelled the institution forward. And as he begins his first recruitment cycle overseeing enrollment management, he says he’s eager to create a more comprehensive approach to engaging students and alumni throughout their relationship with the university.
"The model we're building isn't happening on many campuses," Rickman said. "Too often, institutions operate in silos. What we're creating at UAFS is a comprehensive engagement model that serves all external audiences—from prospective students to alumni decades after graduation."
While the academy focused on leadership preparation, Rickman said one of its most significant outcomes was strengthening his belief in institutions like UAFS.
"More than anything, it deepened my belief in the mission of regional public universities and the role they play in the higher education landscape," he said. "I came away with an even stronger appreciation for the impact institutions like UAFS have on students, families, and communities.”
That connection to mission is what Rickman ultimately views as the foundation of effective leadership.
"I think success starts with having a personal connection to the work you're doing," he said. "The most successful people combine proven ability with a genuine passion for their work. When those two things come together, that's when you see exceptional results.”
As the university approaches its centennial in 2028 and the conclusion of its historic Intrepid Ambition campaign, Rickman sees the future through the same lens that first drew him to higher education nearly two decades ago: expanding opportunity and creating pathways for the students of Ď㽶ĘÓƵAPP.
"It’s what continues to drive me."