Dean Emerita Nance Appointed to Arkansas Public Broadcasting Service Commission

University Relations

Cynthia Nance

Cynthia Nance, dean emerita and the Nathan G. Gordon Professor of Law at the U of A School of Law, was appointed to the Arkansas Public Broadcasting Service Commission by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Commissioners are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Arkansas Senate, and serve an eight-year term.

In her new role, Nance will serve as citizen representative responsible for the oversight of the statewide public media network and support Arkansas PBS and its mission.

"It is a great pleasure to have Cynthia join the Arkansas PBS Commission," said Courtney Pledger, Arkansas PBS executive director and CEO. "Her long and distinguished career that includes teaching, serving and leading others at the highest level will bring a new and welcome voice to the work of the commission."

The commission includes: John Brown of Siloam Springs, chair; West Doss of Fayetteville, vice chair; Woody Freeman of Jonesboro, treasurer; Anne Canada of Subiaco; Ann Clemmer of Benton; Annette Herrington of Little Rock; and Skip Holland of Fayetteville.

Nance joined the U of A School of Law faculty in 1994 as an assistant professor and served as the dean from 2006 to 2011. Her teaching and scholarship focus on labor and employment law, workplace legislation, poverty law and Lawyers as Leaders, and she was the law school's first director of pro bono and community engagement.

She is the chair of the American Bar Foundation Fellows and represents the ABA Labor and Employment Law Section in the House of Delegates. She also serves on the Arkansas Advisory Committee to the United States Civil Rights Commission, and on the Arkansas Bar Foundation Trust Committee.

She has received various awards for her outstanding service, including the Richard S. Arnold Award for Distinguished Service in the Western District of Arkansas by the Eighth Circuit Bar Association, American Bar Association Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, Arthur A. Fletcher Award of the American Association for Affirmative Action, the American Bar Association Spirit of Excellence Award, Arkansas Bar Association Outstanding Lawyer-Citizen Award, the University of Iowa Hancher-Finkbine Alumni Medallion 2021, and the U of A Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award in Public Service.

About Arkansas PBS: Arkansas PBS, Arkansas's only statewide public media network, enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. Arkansas PBS delivers daily, essential, local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through multiple digital platforms, including livestreaming, on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP.

About the School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, which are taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, competitions, and food and agriculture initiatives. The school strives to identify, discuss, and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity, and the impact(s) they have on students, faculty, and staff members in an effort to achieve a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become President of the United States and Secretary of State, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follows us at @uarklaw.