ATU: Higher Education & Student Affairs Graduate Program

10/08/2026

🎓 What is HESA?

Curious about Higher Education & Student Affairs?
Learn more about the ATU HESA program, career opportunities, and what the program has to offer!

Find out more and apply: atu.edu/hesa

09/30/2026

Our September HESA Newsletter is here! 🎉

Take a look at what’s happening across the Higher Education & Student Affairs program, including student and alumni highlights, program updates, upcoming opportunities, and more.

We’re proud of the great work happening throughout our HESA community and excited to share this month’s news with you!

📖 Check out the September newsletter and help us celebrate our students, alumni, and program community!

09/18/2026

💚💛 Graduate Assistant Spotlight!

Meet Austin, one of our awesome graduate assistants! We’re excited to have him in the ATU community and appreciate all he brings to our students and campus.

09/04/2026

🎓 Graduate Assistant Spotlight! 💚💛

We’re excited to highlight another amazing graduate assistant in our Master of Science in Higher Education & Student Affairs program!

We love seeing our GAs grow, lead, and make a difference in the lives of ATU students. 💚

09/04/2026

🎓 Graduate Assistant Spotlight! 💚

We’re excited to highlight one of the amazing graduate assistants in our Higher Education & Student Affairs master’s program at ATU!

We’re grateful for the energy, experience, and encouragement he brings to our students and program. 💚💛

07/16/2026

Proud of our HESA students! 👏🏽💚🥎

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – On Thursday, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released its annual Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Award across nine divisions of collegiate softball. In that release, Arkansas Tech assistant softball coach, Avery Sanders, was named the award winner for NC...

05/08/2026

🎓 HESA Graduate Spotlight: Shannon Hilmes

We’re proud to celebrate our graduates and the impact they’re making in higher education and student success!

👤 Name: Shannon Hilmes
🏫 Employer: University of Missouri–St. Louis
📚 Role: Academic Advisor, University Advising Center

💡 How did the HESA program prepare you?
“My master's degree gave me a solid foundation theoretically and practically for entering the world of student affairs. I was exposed to a wide variety of competency areas, theoretical foundations, and practical strategies for working with college students. I understand the heritage and historical trends of student affairs and the issues that are impacting colleges today.”

💬 Favorite part of the experience?
“I think the most enjoyable part of my master's degree experience was working closely with the same faculty and cohort of students over two years. Even though I completed this program as a fully online student from a distance, I was able to maintain a sense of familiarity with my peers.”

✨ We’re so proud of you, Shannon, and excited to see the difference you’ll continue to make in the lives of students!

05/08/2026

🎓 HESA Graduate Spotlight: Braden Jones

We’re proud to celebrate our graduates and the impact they’re making in higher education and student success!

👤 Name: Braden Jones
🏫 Employer: Arkansas Tech University
📚 Role: Associate Director for Recruitment

💡 How did the HESA program prepare you?
“The experiences I have gained through my time in the HESA program have been invaluable to my career. Student development theory, counseling and helping skills, and assessment have been the foundation of my success.”

💬 Favorite part of the experience?
“I most enjoyed getting to create strong relationships with the faculty, staff, and students that will last long after graduation. Dr. Tribble has become a mentor and friend that I will always cherish.”

✨ We’re so proud of you, Braden, and excited to see the continued impact you’ll make in higher education and student recruitment!

05/08/2026

🎓 HESA Graduate Spotlight: Katelynn Hardage

We’re proud to celebrate our graduates and the impact they’re making in education and student development!

👤 Name: Katelynn Hardage
🏫 Employer: National Park College
📚 Role: Talent Search Curriculum Coordinator

💡 How did the HESA program prepare you?
“The HESA program helped me in my position in so many ways. The biggest way was by teaching me about Student Development Theories. With working with junior high and high school students, I am able to determine what stage of their development they are in and help them work through that stage into the next stage.”

💬 Favorite part of the experience?
“Honestly, I enjoyed everything about this program. I felt that all of the classes and assignments were helpful in understanding students better. I now have a lot of resources to look back on when I need to. I feel that anyone thinking about higher education as a career needs to go through this program.”

✨ We’re so proud of you, Katelynn, and excited to see the impact you’re making in the lives of students!

05/07/2026

🎓 HESA Graduate Spotlight: Allicen Fight

We’re proud to celebrate our graduates and the impact they’re making in education and student development!

👤 Name: Allicen Fight
🏫 Employer: Van Buren Freshman Academy
📚 Role: English Teacher

💡 How did the HESA program prepare you?
“My MS in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration prepared me for the field by giving me hands-on experience and strengthening my leadership and communication skills. The program helped me better understand student development, advising, and student support services. Overall, it gave me the confidence and skills needed to work effectively with college students!”

💬 Favorite part of the experience?
“What I enjoyed most about my master’s degree experience was the opportunity to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences in higher education. I also enjoyed building relationships with professors, classmates, and professionals in the field while growing both personally and professionally!”

✨ We’re so proud of you, Allicen, and excited to see the difference you’re making in the lives of students!