EDL Faculty and Staff Bios

Dr. Pat Weaver 

Dr. Pat Weaver coordinates the Education Leadership program at Henderson State.Before joining the HSU faculty in 2004, Dr. Weaver was a pubic school classroom teacher, director, assistant superintendent and superintendent. She also worked for an educational software company. For the company, she trained personnel, developed materials, and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Puerto Rico to aid school districts with curriculum alignment and online test development.Presently, in addition to teaching courses in the MSE and Educational Specialist programs, Dr. Weaver is president of her own company, Cap for Success, Inc. Through her company she consults with school district in New Mexico and Arkansas to help with curriculum alignment and program implementation.Having spent forty-six years in education, Dr. Weaver loves the constant challenge of helping students accrue the administrative skills needed to serve as leaders in a complex, demanding school environment.

Dr. Bernie Hellums

Dr. Bernie Hellums is Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.She teaches courses in the M.S.E. and Ed.S. programs.Before joining the Henderson faculty in 2008, Dr. Hellums was a public school teacher and administrator for thirty-five years and a college instructor for two years.She worked as a high school math and biology teacher, K-12 Curriculum Coordinator, high school principal, and superintendent. She also was a biology instructor at Cossatot Community College University of Arkansas for one year and a math instructor at Ouachita Baptist University for one year.She received a B.S.E. degree from Ouachita Baptist University, a M.S.E. degree from Ouachita Baptist University, and an Ed.D. degree in Education Leadership from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 

 
Dr. Dee Cox 

Dr. Cox has over thirty years of experience in the public school system in the areas of special education, early childhood education, elementary education, federal programs and educational administration. Her career has allowed her a number of diverse opportunities working in the private and public school system, state department of education and now as an assistant professor in Educational Leadership for Henderson State University (HSU). She attended HSU completing her B.S.E, M.S.E, and Ed.S. while her M.Ed. was completed at UALR Little Rock. Dee received her Ed.D. from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. 

 
Mr. Don Benton

Mr. Don Benton, M.S.E. Educational Leadership is an Assistant Professor at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and the Director of Hot Springs Technology Institute aka HSTI in Hot Springs, Arkansas.Before joining the Educational Leadership Team at Henderson State University, he was the Director of Technology for Hot Springs School District for 11 years.He also served as a SMART lab facilitator, Technology Facilitator, and Vocational Business Education teacher at Hot Springs Middle School and Hot Springs High School. Recently, Mr. Benton founded the Schools Without Walls organization and professional development conference. Mr. Benton received his B.S.E. and M.S.E. from Henderson State University and is currently working toward his Ed.D. 

Ms. Stacy Townsend  

Stacy Townsend serves the Educational Leadership team as A dministrative Specialist.She provides clerical support to the team faculty.Stacy joined the Ed Leadership team in 2012.