Connect with President Henderson:
For more information, contact:
President’s Office
Louisiana Tech University
Wyly Tower 1620
PO Box 3168
Ruston, LA 71272
Phone: 318.257.3785
Fax: 318.257.2928
Biography
Dr. Jim Henderson became the 15th president of Louisiana Tech University on Jan. 1, 2024. His ties to the institution
go back more than 80 years when his father, Clem Henderson, was recruited to play
for famed Louisiana Tech football coach, Joe Aillet. His mom, Martha, was a two-time
Tech grad.
Henderson previously served as the president and CEO of the University of Louisiana
System, one of the nation’s largest University systems. As the longest-serving UL
System president, he led the Universities of Louisiana in the creation of a strategic
framework that charged its member institutions to produce the most educated generation
in Louisiana’s history. Through various Systemic initiatives such as Compete LA, the
Reginald F. Lewis Scholars, and the challenges associated with a global pandemic and
fiscal uncertainty, he developed a notion of System that will continue to benefit
each of the nine institutions for decades to come.
Henderson also served as president of his alma mater, Northwestern State University,
where he reinvigorated student life and campus culture leading to the highest enrollment
in the school’s 135-year history. Before taking the helm of NSU, Henderson served
as chancellor of Bossier Parish Community College. During his tenure, the institution
ranked among the five fastest-growing colleges in the nation for five consecutive
years.
In 2012, Henderson was named a Northwest Louisiana Business Hall of Fame Laureate
and in 2017 he was inducted into Northwestern State University’s hall of honor, the
Long Purple Line. Henderson holds a master of science in administration from University
of West Florida and a doctor of management from University of Maryland—University
College. In 2010, he completed the Institute of Educational Management at the Harvard
Graduate School of Education. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Visitors
of the Marine Corps University.
The smartest decision Henderson has made is marrying his college sweetheart, Tonia
who founded her own media company after a successful career in advertising. The Hendersons
have three children, Reagan, Nicholas, and Alexander who is majoring in chemical engineering
at Louisiana Tech; and four grandchildren, Zachary, Miguel, Maria, and Lucille.
Since 1894, Louisiana Tech has prepared graduates to thrive in an ever-changing world.
As the rapid advance of technology transforms the way we live, work, and play, our
faculty remain committed to developing learners, ensuring our graduates possess the
competencies that lead to lifelong success in work and life. As an alum, you will
not only be prepared to adapt to the future, you will create that future.