Henderson State University has announced enrollment of 2,139 students for the Fall 2023 semester, a decrease of approximately 15% from the Fall 2022 semester

The fall enrollment exceeds the budget projections for this academic year, Chancellor Charles Ambrose said in an email sent Thursday to faculty and staff. “We will continue to build a size and shape that is sustainable for the future,” Ambrose said.

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Moving into Fall 2023 — “from Year Zero into Year One” — administration has worked to address structural deficits to support student success and begin to build enrollment from the inside-out, Ambrose added. “We are implementing the resources needed to reimagine college for all students, and our commitment to make college affordable continues with no tuition increase this year.”

The outgoing chancellor said “new resources that meet student needs and provide opportunities for engagement and belonging are critical to boost retention and empower more students to persist and graduate”. Among those resources and student engagement Ambrose listed were as follows:

● During Welcome Week, 877 students participated in the Reddie Hub, a one-stop shop where students could register and receive assistance to resolve questions.
● The Reddie Outreach Center (ROC) is now open in the Garrison Center and includes a food pantry, clothes closet, and life skills education center.
● The Reddie Student Success Center is beginning to consolidate academic services and tutoring at Huie Library with full implementation expected in Spring 2024.
● More than 30 events took place during Welcome Week—including time-honored traditions such as the Pine Tree Assembly and Street Dance and new events such as a Caddo River float trip and community food truck festival.
● A reimagined first-year experience, Henderson Seminar, kicks off this fall, and a second-year experience is in the early stages of development for Fall 2024.
● New degrees, including natural sciences and secondary education-mathematics, were approved by the State of Arkansas to meet student and community workforce needs.
● New technology tools within Banner, along with the addition of Navigate (with direct support to students), are being implemented to focus performance on enrollment, completion, and instructional outcomes.