National Park College (NPC) welcomed a new board member Wednesday during the regular
monthly board meeting. Dr. Rhonda Harrington joined the board in January.Harrington was born and raised in Hot Springs and is a graduate of Hot Springs High
School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science
in Early Childhood Education from Arkansas State University, and an Ed. D. in Instruction,
Curriculum and Leadership from Memphis State University.
Harrington’s education career started at The Jonesboro Kindergarten Center where she
taught for 12 years. She spent six years as an instructor and assistant professor
at Arkansas State University, and six years as an assistant and associate professor
at Henderson State University (HSU). While teaching at HSU, Dr. Harrington participated
in the first continuous four-year degree program in education offered entirely at
the National Park College Campus.
“Reading about changes at NPC in name, campus upgrades, varieties in course offerings,
community engagement, and frankly the efforts to recruit and retain both quality faculty
and students ignited a desire to join the exciting venture of impacting educational
choices in our area. My background and experience is largely confined to education
at all levels,” said Harrington.
Harrington is active in community organizations such as Garland County Habitat for
Humanity, where she serves on the Family Selection Committee, past-president and a
member of the board. She has participated with The United Way as a team leader and
member of community impact teams. Another organization close to her heart is While
We’re Waiting, a nonprofit, faith-based support group for bereaved parents.
Harrington and her husband, Neal, own Express Employment Professionals, a small staffing
agency in Hot Springs where she manages and implements client training for area supervisors,
managers and future leaders.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Harrington to the NPC Board of Trustees. Her experience
and insights, particularly those in both public and higher education, will be extremely
beneficial to the College. I am personally grateful to Rhonda for her decision to
join the Board. She comes to us at a very exciting time, as we continue our aggressive
trajectory of meeting our students' needs and expectations,” said John Hogan, NPC
president.
Harrington said she is looking forward to sharing ideas based on the College’s vision
and strategic plans. “After speaking with Dr. Hogan, board members and faculty, I
sense a common mindset of ‘Students First’ with a huge emphasis on teacher recruitment
and retention resting on quality in all areas.”
Pictured is Harrington being sworn in January 14 at the County Clerk’s office.
