Charles Welch, a first-generation college student who became the chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope three years ago, will be Henderson State University's next president.
The university's board of trustees unanimously approved Welch's hiring at a meeting Monday.
Welch, 34, vowed to "remove barriers" to education by expanding the number of Henderson courses available in other communities to reach people who can't go to the campus. And he stressed collaboration with community colleges so more students go on to earn four-year degrees.
"I want Henderson State University to become a model for collaboration," he said after giving remarks to more than 100 people who gathered for the announcement.
For more information see today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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