New director key to HSU’s goals in Hot Springs
Henderson State University continues to work to build upon its relationships with National Park College and the Garland County community, and a new executive director of Hot Springs academic initiatives will spearhead those efforts locally.
Tiffany Rogers joined Henderson Wednesday in the Hot Springs Downtown Education Center as the new director of the HSU-Hot Springs campus in the Landmark Building. Rogers is tasked with not only growing the university’s local programs based on community needs, but also fostering relationships in the area.
“I will listen and try to learn more, obviously, but I am not afraid to speak up and speak about things I have ideas about,” Rogers said. “It
will be a learning process, obviously, but I am really anxious to hit the ground running.”
Rogers is a native of Stuttgart and spent more than 19 years in various roles with the Stuttgart campus of Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, most recently as director of development. She served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2009 to 2012.
“I have always been interested in state government and I have always been interested in federal government,” Rogers said. “I served on student council in high school.
“Even before I worked at Phillips, I followed the legislative sessions. I was in a government position before Phillips, also. When you know that’s where your salary comes from, you’re a little bit more inclined, or I am, to follow the money, follow the law and the things that govern us.”
HSU-Hot Springs reported an enrollment of 169 students in its first fall semester in 2014 before it moved into the Landmark Building. Enrollment increased to 180 students in the fall 2015 semester and reached 190 this spring.
Henderson Provost Steve Adkison said Henderson’s goal is to increase enrollment to 350 students working to obtain bachelor’s and master’s degrees on the Hot Springs campus.
“We currently offer a number of graduate programs at our campus at the Landmark Building and we are planning on expanding those offerings led by our School of Business in order to meet the needs of Garland County businesses and schools,” Adkison said.
“We’re also very excited to be expanding our programs for National Park College students to complete their Henderson bachelor’s degrees on the NPC main campus in Hot Springs.”
“I think the MBA program is really going to kick off big this fall semester,” Rogers said.
Rogers said she is already working on plans for how to grow enrollment and add new programs. She cited the local tourism industry and significant medical community.
“You kind of know that because of the retirement communities, but when you start driving around town, you see all of the facilities,” Rogers said. “Not just hospitals, but then the specialty services and clinics.
“I think that is going to be a huge opportunity for Henderson also in opening some doors there for some allied health programs with the campus.”
Henderson’s executive director of Hot Springs academic initiatives works hand-in-hand with National Park College to coordinate events in the Landmark Building and tailor programs to the needs of local students, business and industry.
“Our partnership with NPC in our Southern Arkansas Regional Alliance continues to increase the likelihood that our students will stay in Hot Springs after graduation,” Adkison said. “We continue to respond to the needs of local businesses and the larger community by offering something no other university can offer — the chance to earn a four-year degree on-site in Hot Springs.”
Rogers graduated from Southern Legislative Conference Center for Advancement of Leadership Skills in 2010, is a member of the Arkansas Association of Women in Higher Education and served on the Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges & Schools Accreditation Team from 2001 to 2005.
Fall semester classes will start on Aug. 22. Aug. 21 is the final day to register before late fees apply.