April 17, 2026 — Hendrix College today announced a comprehensive
initiative to incorporate career preparation throughout its undergraduate
liberal arts curriculum, introducing a semester-long workforce experience for
all students in a generational advancement for the 150-year-old institution.
Via Hendrix positions the school as the
only college or university in Arkansas, and the only liberal arts college in
the region, to require all students to complete cooperative education, or
co-op, which involves professional work or research placements as part of
degree programs. Faculty and campus leadership collaborated for nearly 18
months on the new model, drawing from market research to strengthen the
hands-on application of liberal arts skills such as critical thinking, clear
communication, and the ability to evaluate problems from different
perspectives.
“Co-op is an extension of the liberal
arts classroom, building our learning experiences out into the professional
world,” said Hendrix President Karen Petersen. “Via Hendrix will create a
real-time, continuous feedback loop with employers of all types, giving us
powerful insight to adjust over time and to foster a talent pipeline for
partner organizations that host our students.”
All incoming Hendrix students will be
engaged in Via Hendrix starting with the fall 2026 semester. The college
released details during its annual Alumni Weekend, being held through April
19.
“We know there’s no better grounding
than the liberal arts to prepare students for lives and work of fulfillment and
meaning,” said Hendrix Board of Trustees Chair Hank Neely, retired as a partner
at the international professional services firm EY (formerly Ernst &
Young). “Via Hendrix leverages that foundation holistically so that students
will be ready to seize every stage of their careers, no matter what the future
holds.
“That practical utility is exactly what
students expect today,” he added. “With the workforce and economy shifting
faster than we can imagine, and higher education under scrutiny, this novel
combination of the liberal arts and real-world experience will equip Hendrix
students with resilience and flexibility for long-term success.”
While many schools offer internships,
those are typically optional, shorter in duration, and less intensive than a
co-op. The Via Hendrix strategy features a 12- to 14-week co-op as an anchor.
Hendrix students will prepare for the
experience starting in their first year, when each will receive an integrated
advising team to provide academic and professional support through graduation.
Second-year programming will prepare students thoroughly for co-op. In their
fourth and final year, students will reflect on the totality of their
experience as they work with the integrated advising teams to apply for jobs or
graduate school.
The program’s scope of professional
engagement and wrap-around institutional guidance set it apart from other
colleges, Petersen said. A co-op workshop taken alongside the co-op placement
is designed to help students link classroom learning to problem-solving and
develop an understanding of the tangible value of the liberal arts.
“Via Hendrix capitalizes on our long
history of bold innovation and experiential learning grounded in the liberal
arts,” Petersen said. “We didn’t do this in a vacuum: While informed by
realities of the market, we made sure this evolution reflects and preserves the
close mentorship and academic rigor that have always defined Hendrix. We
listened to our community, tested ideas, and engaged experts to tailor a
flexible model that will adapt in response to student experiences.”
She underscored early momentum for Via
Hendrix among employers and donors. Companies including health care
providers, professional sports teams and law firms, along with nonprofit
organizations and government entities, have expressed interest in hosting and
mentoring co-op students. For employers, the Via Hendrix co-op offers access to
well-prepared, driven students in a competitive market for workforce
talent.
“With Via Hendrix, we’re redoubling our
commitment to the value and necessity of liberal arts education,” Neely said.
“Families and students expect concrete connections between their investments in
higher education and what comes next. Via Hendrix expands and deepens those
connections in a tangible way.”
About
Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is
featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 45 Schools That Will Change the Way You
Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts
colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career
preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors
compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the
United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the
classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice,
and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives
of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of
Purpose