Ex-NPC president to head HSU-HS

Sally Carder, former president of National Park College, has been named the interim director for Henderson State University’s Hot Springs location effective Monday.

“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to represent Henderson State and National Park College in our community,” Carder said. “Our Downtown Education Center serves as an extension of both institutions and providing area residents the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s or master’s degrees here at home is so important for Garland County.”

The former director, Christi Na-

tion, will join Louisiana State University of Alexandria as its director of continuing education and community outreach. She was originally hired from Levi Hospital by Henderson in 2013 as director of Hot Springs academic initiatives.

Carder will serve at the HSU-Hot Springs location, 201 Market St., while the university conducts a search for a full-time director.

“My job will be somewhat different from Christi’s because now we have a staff in place to handle most of the day-to-day activities,” Carder said. “That will free me up to be out in the community more. I’m thankful for this opportunity. I appreciate the job Christie has done during the development phase of the Center and wish her the best in her new job.”

Carder retired after the 2013-14 academic year. She announced her retirement in October 2013 and the college conducted a six-month search for its fourth president, John Hogan.

Henderson President Glen Jones worked closely with Carder to establish a physical location in Hot Springs for junior-, senior- and graduate-level courses. State Sen. Bill Sample, R-District 14, originally sponsored an appropriation bill for $15 million to Henderson “for land acquisition, site preparation, construction, renovation, maintenance, major maintenance, purchase of equipment, personal services and operating expenses” for the Downtown Education Center in partnership with the college.

The Hot Springs campus in the Landmark Building downtown was officially announced in April 2014. The state eventually appropriated $1 million for the project and Rick Williams, owner of the Landmark Building, leased the building to Henderson to share with NPC.

Williams renovated much of the campus through 2014 and into 2015. Henderson courses began on the campus in January 2015 for the spring semester and enrollment has regularly exceeded expectations.

“Dr. Carder’s commitment to her community and the education of the area’s residents will be an incredible benefit to the current and future students at Henderson State’s Hot Springs location,” said Provost Steve Adkison. “We look forward to her innovative leadership in Garland County.”

Carder retired in 2014 after 40 years in education. She earned her doctorate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and facilitated the 2003 merger between Garland County Community College and Quapaw Technical Institute.

Gerald Fisher served as the college’s first president from 1973 until 1994. Tom Spencer succeeded Fisher through the merger until he retired in 2005.

Carder served as the director of Quapaw from 2000-2003 and became the college’s first female president after Spencer retired. She continues to serve as a member of the board of directors for the Cooperative Christian Ministries and Medical Clinic, Ouachita Children’s Center and National Park College Foundation.

“Dr. Jones approached me a week or so ago and asked if I could help them out for a couple of months,” Carder said. “I gladly accepted because I see so much potential for the center and benefit for the Hot Springs area residents. And of course, National Park and Henderson are both dear to my heart. It’s going to be fun.”

Most courses on the campus are offered in the evenings at the intersection of Central Avenue, Ouachita Avenue, Market Street and Olive Street to allow both traditional students and working professionals to complete their coursework. Students can enroll in a variety of business and education courses on campus, as well as several online options to complete a Master of Science, Master of Science in Education or Education Specialist degree.

The Hot Springs campus welcomed 160 students, including 77 full-time students, for the fall semester. Full-time students earn at least 51 percent of their semester credits at the Hot Springs location.