Office of the President

Dr. Sells Dr. Ben R. Sells, who has served since June 2016 as Ouachita Baptist University’s 16th president, is passionate about advancing Christian higher education.

Affirming his vision for Ouachita’s ongoing growth and impact, President Sells declared,

“We deeply desire for our students to grow spiritually and intellectually so they can find meaningful work and reasonably engage the world through their families, churches, communities and careers over the course of their lives.”

Dr. Sells holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., and two degrees, a Master of Arts and a PhD in higher and adult education, from the University of Missouri in Columbia. As an undergraduate, he participated in the Oxford Overseas Study Program and in 2012 he earned a certificate from Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management.

With extensive leadership experience in higher education, fundraising and missions involvement, Dr. Sells previously served more than nine years as vice president for university advancement at Taylor University in Upland, Ind.

Other higher education experience includes serving as vice president for admissions and student life and director of university ministries at Southwest Baptist University and as an English instructor at Huaiyin Teachers College in China. He also has served as senior vice president of development for Enactus, coordinator of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board’s International Learning Center and director of the IMB’s International Centre for Excellence in Leadership

Sells is active in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and the Arkansas Independent Colleges and Universities. He serves on the Board of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and the Malone Child Safety Center. In 2019, Sells was selected for Arkansas’ 250 Most Influential Leaders by the Arkansas Business Publishing Group

Dr. Sells and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of four adult children.

“We deeply desire for our students to grow spiritually and intellectually so they can find meaningful work and reasonably engage the world through their families, churches, communities and careers over the course of their lives.”

Dr. Sells Headshot Dr. Ben Sells
President, Ouachita Baptist University

President Sells In Action

Administrative Council

In an effort to better the university, President Sells consults a diverse group of staff advisors who represent different areas across campus.

Administrative Council

Ben Sells, Ouachita president, delivers the 2024 Commencement address

Stewardship in every season

This year’s university theme has been “lives of meaningful work,” a phrase in our mission statement focused on one purpose of a Ouachita education. There are many dimensions to a life of meaningful work. This morning, I want to highlight one: that we’re called to be stewards in every season of life. This notion is illustrated in Scripture, and you exemplified it at Ouachita.

Dr. Ben Sells delivers a Convocation address at Ouachita Baptist University

I believe, help my unbelief

With Convocation, we formally bring together new and returning students with faculty and staff to begin the 138th year of Ouachita Baptist University.

Dr. Ben Sells delivers 2023 Commencement address at Ouachita Baptist University

Words of wisdom: Learners rather than knowers

Based on what your predecessors report, your Ouachita education and experience have prepared you exceedingly well. Indeed, the investment in you by faculty and staff, the support of your family and classmates, the time and effort you have put forward and the grace of God help you go from this place with an advantage.

Developing students' leadership potential

Hope grows in a nourished imagination

I like Chapel and seldom miss attending. I like being with students in Chapel. There are probably fewer than 100 universities in the country where essentially the entire student body can all be together. In my first six years, I’ve appreciated how students respect and engage in Chapel. I believe it’s an important part of what makes Ouachita, Ouachita.

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