Ouachita Stories

Dr. Rachel Pool, associate professor of education at Ouachita Baptist University, has been named dean of the Huckabee School of Education after 13 years on the Ouachita faculty. Pool began providing leadership June 1 for the school’s departments of Education and Kinesiology, which offer six undergraduate degrees between them as well as graduate programs in curriculum & instruction and exercise science.

“I’m so proud of the accomplishments the departments of Education and Kinesiology have achieved and am honored to continue supporting, uplifting and advocating for this great group of faculty and students,” said Pool. “I want to help them achieve their goals and ensure my words and actions promote the love of God and the love of learning by emulating Jesus, the master teacher."

Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, appointed Pool, who is known for her engagement with students and leadership on campus.

“During her time at Ouachita, Dr. Pool has inspired and equipped hundreds of future educators and has led us admirably through external accreditation and degree-program changes,” said Dr. Justin Hardin, vice president for academic affairs and professor of biblical studies at Ouachita. “We’re thrilled she’s taking up this new role.”

“Dr. Rachel Pool has been a vital part of the Department of Education’s growth in the past decade, and she will in every way be an outstanding dean,” said Dr. Jeff Root, professor of communications and dean of the School of Humanities, who also previously served as dean of the School of Education. “I’ve been a Rachel Pool fan from the beginning of my time as education dean, and I’m glad to welcome her to the Deans Council. She will represent both departments in the School of Education well, and students will benefit from her new role.”

Pool is a native of West Memphis, Ark. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and secondary education from Ouachita, a Master of Science in Education in educational theory & practice and an Educational Specialist degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University, and a Doctor of Education in higher education/faculty leadership from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Before joining the School of Education faculty, Pool taught for school districts in West Memphis, Fayetteville and Benton, Ark.; worked for the Dawson Education and Wilbur D. Mills Service cooperatives; and was a presenter on professional pathways to licensure. She is married to Jim Pool, staff structures engineer for the Arkansas Department of Transportation. They have two sons and are members of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church in Little Rock.

For more information about Ouachita’s Huckabee School of Education, visit obu.edu/education.

Lead photo by Sarah Dean

• Tags:
• Academic Affairs
• Alumni
• Faculty/Staff
• School of Education