Henderson State University - Overview
Academics
Henderson State University offers 38 undergraduate degrees and 12 graduate degrees. Most courses are taught by full-time professors with terminal degrees. The small class sizes give faculty members the opportunities to connect with each student. The excellent student support services help students reach their educational goals.
Henderson's unique programs include Arkansas's only baccalaureate degree aviation program and the only 4-year professional nursing program in the southwest region of the state. Aviation students train on Henderson's 16-plane fleet and on flight simulators including the new Redbird FMX system. Students are airborne by the 2nd week of class. Nursing students learn patient care skills by practicing on high-tech simulator mannequins before entering instructor-guided clinical experiences. Other Henderson assets include a growing Honors College and a first-rate business program at the BBA and MBA levels.
Hands-on Learning
Henderson believes that hands-on learning increases student success. Whether studying the sciences at the Simonson Biological Field Station, practicing nursing procedures on life-like simulators, or completing internships in their fields, students gain confidence and skills. Business students hone stock trading skills by investing the $312,000 Ross Whipple Student Managed Fund. Students in this program have won back-to-back Chartered Financial Analysts Global Investment Challenge competitions in Memphis; Henderson is one of only 3 schools to achieve this accomplishment.
Student Activities
Henderson's more than 90 student organizations make it easy for students to be involved on campus. From performances to intramurals to movies on the quad, there is always something going on. Students enjoy working out at the Dunn Student Recreation Center complete with bouldering wall, weight room, and elevated walking track. The new Foster Technology Center offers big-screen TV gaming rooms, computer tablet rentals, and more.
Henderson's campus is only 35 miles from the resort town of Hot Springs. Students also enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational activities at DeGray Lake Resort State Park, just 8 miles from the university. Henderson competes in the NCAA Division II Great American Conference. Sports include football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's golf, baseball, softball, tennis, volleyball and cross country. Henderson's "Showband of Arkansas" consists of 150 winds, percussion, and auxiliary members and is considered one of the finest college marching bands in the country. Membership is open to students of any major.
Facilities
Recognized as one of the most attractive campuses in Arkansas, the Henderson campus features modern brick academic and residential buildings connected by landscaped pedestrian malls. Student housing options include co-ed suite-style units, traditional-style units and apartments.
The university recently completed construction on the 7,000-square-foot Simonson Biological Field Station, a research facility located on DeGray Lake. Students receive hands-on learning at the station and can stay overnight or for longer periods. Henderson's Reynolds Science Center houses a state-of-the-art planetarium where students can study the stars and enjoy special shows on digital full-dome video.
The Dunn Student Recreation Center, completed in 2009, was recently cited for Outstanding Design in the Sports Stadiums/Athletic Facilities category of American School & University magazine's Architectural Portfolio.
Global Perspective
Henderson provides opportunities for students to gain global perspectives and experiences. Students from about 20 different countries are enrolled at Henderson through the Center for International Studies. The center sponsors enrichment activities such as the International Food Bazaar and the World Religions Forum, where participants can learn about other cultures and traditions.
Henderson also has a Common Book Program, which features a work of contemporary literature that everyone on campus is encouraged to read. The Common Book is intended to serve as a focal point for engaging the Henderson community in formal and informal conversations about issues of importance in today's world. A speaker, often the author, is brought to campus to discuss the book each fall. Recently featured books have been A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah, When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka, and the graphic novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi.
Each year Henderson also features a 10-day educational trip to China through the Ellis College of Arts and Sciences. Other international travel opportunities include spring break trips and the biology department's annual summer study trips to South America.
Community Involvement
Henderson encourages each student to impact his or her world in a positive way. The university offers numerous opportunities to be involved in the community from service projects and tutoring to Reddie to Serve Day, a campus-wide volunteer day each semester where students, faculty and staff complete maintenance projects in the surrounding community of Arkadelphia.
With quality education, great student life and a friendly campus, Henderson is the place to get ready for the future.