President’s Welcome:

A collaborative effort will determine the future course of Henderson State University. I want each of you to assist me in the important decisions that will be made in the upcoming months and years.

I believe Henderson is uniquely positioned to be a catalyst in changing the future of our local communities, of an entire region, and of this entire state. I believe Henderson can lead a reversal of a culture among many that higher education is either unimportant or unattainable.

There are amazing things happening on the Henderson campus that we should share with the rest of the state. I plan to spend every ounce of energy I have ensuring that our story is told. I want to focus on fostering a strong, shared governance system on campus. I will maintain open lines of communication with any university stakeholder to discuss the

progress and direction of Henderson. I will regularly meet with student, faculty and staff leaders to stay abreast of the issues facing each of these campus constituencies.

Henderson will be committed to partnerships with our communities, public schools, community colleges, other universities, and business and industry sectors that are employing our graduates.

I am a living, breathing symbol of the difference higher education can make in the life of not only one individual, but an entire family. As a fi rst generation college student with roots in rural Arkansas, my family and I resemble the countless other Arkansas families that have never had a family member obtain a college degree and have struggled for generations because of that.

Sincerely. 

Dr. Charles L. Welch
President, Henderson State University