Henderson State Says Student Transfers Hit All-Time High

So Richardson started looking for a new school, but she wasn't all that excited about moving to Arkadelphia until she actually went to visit.

"There's probably nothing to do there, be bored," Richardson said, "but once I came and did the tour and everything, I just loved it! I loved it."

Lewis Shepherd, Jr., Henderson's vice president of student affairs, says Alicia is exactly the kind of student they're looking for.

"I think we are really good at getting students to campus," Shepherd said.

Shepherd says more than 300 students had transferred to Henderson as of Thursday: a record, and up 26 percent from last year. Why? Because the school goes after them, Shepherd says, developing strong relationships with two year colleges, and hiring a transfer counselor to grease the wheels.

"We have a great relationship with the two-year schools," Shepherd said. "With the administrations and with the faculty."

Henderson also has 95 student organizations, from frats and sororities, to clubs and groups. Places where newbies like Richardson can find their niche. It was the way students and teachers embraced her, she says, that helped her realize she was in the right place.

"This really is the school with the heart, because people who didn't know me came up and was like, do you need any help? do you need anything?" Richardson said.