Dr. Lesley Graybeal has been selected as executive director of the University of Central Arkansas Office of Outreach and Community Engagement (OCE). She most recently served as director of Living Learning Communities at UCA.
“I am deeply grateful for Lesley’s willingness to take on this important leadership role, and I am excited about the fresh perspective and innovative vision she will bring to Outreach,” UCA Provost Michael Hargis said.
OCE works to meet the diverse needs of university and community partners through comprehensive learning and civic engagement opportunities, including continuing education, customized and non-traditional training, and event planning services.
Graybeal previously led UCA’s community-engaged learning and volunteer engagement initiatives. Her work has included advising leaders of service- and civic engagement-related student organizations, providing training and facilitation for faculty and community partners, and championing constructive dialogue initiatives.
Graybeal holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and a doctorate in social foundations of education from the University of Georgia. Before joining UCA, she taught first-year writing and coordinated the service-learning program at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina.