Harding University has established a new office of graduate and professional support. The office will provide expanded resources for more than 50 graduate and professional programs beginning July 1.

Graduate and professional programs have been a part of the educational offerings at Harding since 1952, growing to account for close to 20% of annual enrollment in recent years and representing significant growth opportunities in the coming years due to increased demand and job requirements for graduate education.

Mitch Walton, director of the office, reports to Julie Hixson-Wallace, associate provost and vice president for accreditation and institutional effectiveness. Walton has served as director of Harding-North Little Rock since August 2017. Prior to his time at Harding, he served as director of professional development for the Arkansas Association of Educational Administration (AAEA), executive director of three AAEA umbrella organizations, and as both the superintendent and high school principal of Sloan-Hendrix School District. Walton holds degrees from both Harding University and Arkansas State University.

The office will include five additional staff members who will contribute to the recruiting, marketing and support of Harding graduate and professional programs.