Calvin McFadden, Sr. is the new president of Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock. Arkansas Baptist College enrolls just over 400 students, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education. African Americans make up 80 percent of the student body and more than three-quarters of all students are men.
In accepting the position, President McFadden acknowledged that the college has faced significant challenges throughout its 138-year history but has consistently persevered and overcome them. “Due to the incredible work of those who have come before me, the greatest challenge we face today is to consistently meet our commitment to the needs of our students and community by providing programs relevant to the futures of those we serve. As we continue to honor our mission, we will continue to have a positive impact on generations to come,” said President McFadden.
In 2012, Dr. McFadden was appointed dean of behavioral and social sciences at Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts. In 2014, he was appointed dean of the sophomore class and the Ada Comstock Scholars program at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. From 2015 to 2018, he was dean of student affairs at Norwalk Community College in Connecticut. Since 2020, Dr. McFadden has been a church pastor in Houston. Dr. McFadden has served on the faculties of Florida A&M University and Florida State University as well as American International College and Springfield College.
Dr. McFadden is an honors graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He holds a master of divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center/Gammon Seminary and a doctorate in family and child sciences from Florida State University.
