Arkansas operates a coordinated higher education system with the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) as the primary governing body and the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) as its administrative arm, led by Commissioner Ken Warden.
System Components
- Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board: 12 governor-appointed members serving staggered six-year terms
- University of Arkansas System: Separate board governance
- Arkansas State University System: Independent system governance
- Individual institutional boards for other public universities and community colleges
Key Functions
ADHE coordinates the system by managing state scholarship and financial aid programs, recommending budgets to the legislature, ensuring academic program quality, and promoting accountability across all institutions.
