Hendrix College reached another milestone in its Strategic Plan 2015-2020 with a four-year graduation rate of 70 percent.

The four-year graduation rate at Hendrix is the highest in Arkansas and among the top four-year graduation rates in the country.

The 70 percent rate is the highest four-year rate on record, including the longest period recorded by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which has data for the past 15 years. 

While Hendrix will officially report the Class of 2015’s four-year graduation rate this spring, achieving this significant milestone by 2020 was a key metric in the College’s five-year Strategic Plan.

The driving factor behind the achievement was an initiative that began during the 2015-2016 academic year. A taskforce of faculty and staff members began providing targeted outreach to seniors who are at risk of not graduating within four years. Since that time, Hendrix cut in half the percentage of remaining seniors who do not graduate within four years.

“Students who come to Hendrix benefit directly from dedicated faculty and staff members who are committed to helping them succeed within the classroom and beyond,” said Hendrix College Provost Dr. Terri Bonebright. “We are grateful to the faculty and staff who have worked so diligently on behalf of our students and their success at Hendrix.” 

Hendrix has expanded its retention and completion initiatives beyond seniors and developed ways to identify students early in their academic careers who may be at risk of not graduating. 

Hendrix also offers a Four-Year Graduation Guarantee to new students to encourage them to complete their degree in four years.

“One of the reasons students and families choose Hendrix is to be part of a community that is absolutely devoted to student success,” said Hendrix President Bill Tsutsui. “This achievement is a reflection of our close-knit community and focus on inspiring students to develop their fullest potential.”