JBU News & Information

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. (Sept. 23, 2026) – U.S. News & World Report named John Brown University the top-ranked regional university in Arkansas and the top Christian college in the same category.

In the 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, JBU ranked No. 18 among 152 regional universities in the South. Other Arkansas schools on the list include Arkansas Tech University (No. 79), Southern Arkansas University (No. 104), Henderson State University (No. 125) and University of Arkansas - Monticello (No. 129).

"Earning this recognition for the 11th consecutive year reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff to student success," said Robert Norwood, vice president for academic affairs. "At JBU, we believe a rigorous, Christ-centered education transforms lives, and rankings like this affirm that our students are receiving an exceptional academic experience that prepares them to honor God and serve others."

Within the Regional Universities (South) rankings, JBU ranked No. 11 in Top Private Colleges and No. 16 in Best Value Schools.

U.S. News rankings are based on student outcomes, peer assessment, faculty resources, financial resources and standardized tests.

For the 11th year, JBU was also recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a Great College to Work For, earning Honor Roll distinction for elite performance across multiple categories.

Survey results showed JBU excelling in areas such as mission and pride (92%), faculty and staff well-being (89%) and confidence in senior leadership (87%). JBU’s overall positive response rate (82%) ranked well above national benchmarks for similar institutions.

The Great Colleges to Work For program includes a two-part assessment process: the ModernThink Higher Education Insight Survey, administered to employees and the ModernThink Higher Education Institution Questionnaire© (IQ), which captures employment data and workplace policies and practices at each institution.

“This recognition reflects the faculty and staff who show up every day with a genuine commitment to our students and to one another,” said Kim Hadley, executive vice president. "When people are deeply invested in a mission as meaningful as JBU's Christ-centered education, it shows in the classroom, in the residence halls and in the spiritual formation of the students we are privileged to serve."

The Great Colleges to Work For program is one of the nation’s largest and most respected workplace recognition initiatives. For more information and to view the complete list, visit https://greatcollegesprogram.com/list/colleges/.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News) and Arkansas’ No. 3 university (The Wall Street Journal), JBU enrolls more than 2,600 students from 35 states and 58 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including business, nursing, family and human services, engineering, teacher education, psychology, computer science, construction management, biology, Bible and visual arts. Seven graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, outdoor program management and cybersecurity.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Sept. 18, 2026) — John Brown University's music & theatre department invites you to the play “The Musical Comedy of Murders of 1940,” Sept. 25-26 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Berry Performing Arts Center on the Siloam Springs campus.

"The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" is John Bishop’s affectionate love letter to several theatrical traditions: the “old dark house” murder mystery, the backstage comedy and the breathless suspense of 1940s radio drama. Set in a moment shadowed by global uncertainty and the looming threat of war, the play borrows the atmosphere of danger from its historical setting and then gleefully turns it inside out. Like the radio thrillers and comic serials of the era, it delights in heightened characters, ominous clues, sudden reversals and the delicious suspicion that someone may be lurking just out of sight.

"The play is a love letter to the theatre and a gleeful parody of its excesses," said Josiah Wallace, JBU professor of theatre. "It celebrates and mocks artists, reminding us that theatre is a place where chaos can be transformed into craft. Our production embraces the play’s signature mix of silliness, hijinks and danger. We hope you enjoy this world of mystery, mischief and theatrical mayhem — and leave reminded that laughter, too, is a serious art."

You can purchase tickets in advance at jbu.edu/tickets or at the door the night of the performance. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for seniors and JBU employees; $7 for children under 18 and $3 for JBU students.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News) and Arkansas’ No. 3 university (The Wall Street Journal), JBU enrolls more than 2,600 students from 35 states and 58 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including business, nursing, family and human services, engineering, teacher education, psychology, computer science, construction management, biology, Bible and visual arts. Seven graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, outdoor program management and cybersecurity.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Aug. 25, 2026) – John Brown University topped last year’s record enrollment when it welcomed a record 473 new students to the Siloam Springs campus for orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The incoming class includes a record 401 freshmen, 60 transfer students and 12 students returning after one or more semesters away, bringing undergraduate enrollment to 1,487 students.

For the last four years, JBU has set a series of enrollment records: the largest freshman class in 2023, the largest new student class in 2024, and a record undergraduate enrollment of 1,423 students in 2025.

“Families are looking for a university that offers a strong sense of community, academic excellence and a return on their investment,” said Ryan Ladner, D.B.A., vice president for enrollment management. “JBU has always remained clear about its identity. We are an interdenominational Christian university dedicated to whole-person education, shaping graduates who are well-rounded, grounded in faith and prepared with the skills and character to lead and serve. Our continued strong enrollment, along with the success of our graduates in the workforce and beyond, demonstrates that families recognize the value of a JBU education.”

The top five departments that incoming class students enrolled in are business, visual arts, engineering, nursing and teacher education.

JBU students represent 35 states and 55 countries. 

 Final enrollment numbers are officially reported after the 11th day of classes.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News) and No. 2 private university (The Wall Street Journal), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 34 states and 43 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including business, nursing, visual arts, engineering, teacher education, psychology, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Twelve graduate degrees are available in business, counseling and cybersecurity.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Aug. 19, 2026) – John Brown University announced today a $34.5 million gift commitment to launch a Master of Science in physician assistant (PA) studies and three Master of Science nurse practitioner (NP) tracks: family nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.

The gift, provided by the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, advances JBU’s goal of helping to address the critical shortage of advanced medical professionals in Arkansas to serve the state’s primary care, behavioral health and maternal health needs.

Arkansas currently only has two PA programs, with one more in the approval process. JBU’s PA program will be the first in Northwest Arkansas.

JBU is not new to healthcare education. The university's Bachelor of Science in nursing program, launched in 2016, has grown from 35 to 156 students and built a strong regional reputation, with 73% of 2024 graduates and 81% of 2025 graduates remaining in Northwest Arkansas to practice — a retention rate that reflects the program's deep roots in the region it was built to serve.

"JBU has built a nursing program that competes with anyone in the region on clinical preparation and simulation technology, while offering the whole-person formation that shapes not just competent healthcare professionals but compassionate ones," said Natasha Trotter, D.N.P., JBU department chair for nursing. "Expanding into nurse practitioner and physician assistant education is a natural next step for a program that has already demonstrated it can produce graduates who stay and serve.”

Arkansas currently faces a significant healthcare workforce challenge, ranking 46th nationally in physicians per capita, and with 68% of its counties designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas, according to the 2020 Arkansas State Health Assessment. The shortage is particularly acute for physician assistants, with the state projected to meet only 48% of its PA workforce needs by 2026, according to the Arkansas Health Workforce Projects: 2021-2035 report published by the Arkansas Hospital Association.  

"Every year, Arkansas loses talented, motivated students to out-of-state PA programs because there aren’t enough openings in our state. Many of those students never come back,” said Ted Song, Ph.D., JBU’s chief innovation officer. “JBU’s program changes that by giving students a high-quality option right here in Northwest Arkansas.”

The need is equally acute for nurse practitioners. In rural Arkansas communities, family nurse practitioners frequently serve as the sole primary care provider for entire communities. In addition, Arkansas has the nation's smallest maternity care workforce per capita and the second-highest infant mortality rate, according to The Commonwealth Fund's 2024 State Scorecard on Women's Health and Reproductive Care. The state's behavioral health crisis is equally severe: only 29.7% of Arkansas's behavioral health needs are currently met by existing prescribers and clinicians, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. With more than half of practicing psychiatrists approaching retirement age nationwide, the need for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners, particularly in community mental health clinics and through rural telehealth, has never been more urgent.

"For over a century, JBU has prepared graduates to go where they are needed most and serve with both excellence and conviction,” said Chip Pollard, Ph.D., JBU president. “Northwest Arkansas is growing rapidly, and plans are already underway for the region to become a destination for healthcare. By expanding our healthcare offerings, JBU hopes to contribute to that regional goal by training the next generation of advanced practice professionals to help care for the medical needs of their neighbors.”

The grant will be implemented in two distinct phases. Phase 1 includes a gift of $9.5 million to finish a 7,500-square-foot expansion of JBU’s Health & Technology Center to provide state-of-the-art labs and classroom space, as well as the initial startup costs for faculty recruitment and accreditation. Phase 2, which is contingent on accreditation, establishes a $15 million faculty endowment to ensure market-competitive compensation for faculty and a $10 million scholarship endowment to ensure that the programs remain accessible to students committed to practicing in Arkansas. As part of its Steadfast Faith capital campaign, JBU has raised $7.7 million for the new programs from generous donors and is committed to raising another $6.5 million, for a total project investment of $48.7 million.  

To support the clinical requirements of the new programs, JBU will work with regional partners, including Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, Washington Regional Medical Center, Freeman Health Systems, and Community Clinic, to develop high-quality local rotations. JBU is committed to growing clinical capacity in coordination with regional health care partners to ensure these opportunities benefit the Northwest Arkansas community.

Because of the rigorous requirements for national accreditation, faculty recruitment and clinical site development, the programs will roll out over three years. The fully online nurse practitioner programs are expected to begin with the family nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery tracks in 2028, followed by the psychiatric-mental health track in 2029. The residential physician assistant program is slated to welcome its first cohort in 2030.  

JBU has initiated the multiyear accreditation process with the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Trotter, a certified healthcare simulation educator, will oversee the NP expansion, while Song will lead a national search for a PA program director to lead the residential medical track.

For more information about JBU’s healthcare programs, visit jbu.edu.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News) and Arkansas’ No. 3 university (The Wall Street Journal), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 34 states and 43 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including business, nursing, visual arts, engineering, teacher education, psychology, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Fourteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling and cybersecurity.

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Averee Deck, human resources operations specialist at John Brown University, has been selected from 268 applicants to participate in the 2026-27 CUPA-HR Ignite program, a 12-month leadership development experience designed for early-career higher education human resources professionals.

Deck and her 12-person cohort will develop their professional skills through tailored learning experiences — including mentorship, learning events and courses, and the completion of a project showcasing the insights they gain throughout the year — and will be connected to higher education leaders experienced in areas that align with their professional development goals.

“I am most excited to participate in the experiential learning parts of the program,” Deck said. “I’ve spent much of my professional journey earning degrees through classroom learning, so I am grateful for the opportunity to branch out into more personal, one-on-one mentorship and connection with peers and leaders in the higher education space.”

Deck and the other program participants were selected based on their HR strengths, the development areas they identified in their program applications and their interest in and commitment to the program.

“We are so pleased to welcome this outstanding group of early career higher ed HR professionals as our 2026-27 Ignite cohort,” said CUPA-HR President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Brantley, Ed.D. “The next 12 months will be transformative as they engage in an immersive leadership journey with one another and higher ed HR leaders from across the country.”

CUPA-HR’s Ignite program is led by outstanding current and past CUPA-HR leaders and national office staff and made possible in part thanks to support from HigherEdJobs.

CUPA-HR serves higher education by providing the knowledge, resources, advocacy and connections to achieve organizational and workforce excellence. Serving more than 23,000 HR professionals and other higher ed leaders at more than 1,700 member organizations around the country and abroad, the association offers learning and professional development programs, higher education salary, benefits and demographic.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News) and No. 2 private university (The Wall Street Journal), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 34 states and 43 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including business, nursing, visual arts, engineering, teacher education, psychology, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Twelve graduate degrees are available in business, counseling and cybersecurity.

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Ted Song, Ph.D., chief intercultural engagement officer and chief innovation officer at John Brown University, was selected among higher education leaders for the 2026–27 Executive Leadership Academy — a distinguished national program designed to prepare experienced administrators for senior executive roles across colleges and universities.

ELA is offered through a collaborative partnership among the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges and the American Academic Leadership Institute. Together, these organizations provide participants with a comprehensive experience that emphasizes leadership development, mentorship and professional networking.

Following a competitive, nationwide selection process, the 36 higher education professionals chosen for this year’s cohort represent a broad cross-section of institutions. Participants include senior leaders such as provosts and vice presidents who are preparing to step into presidential and chancellor roles.

"It is an honor to join such a distinguished cohort of leaders from across the country,” Song said. “I am grateful for the chance to learn from experienced presidents and peers through the ELA program. As the higher education landscape continues to evolve, I look forward to gaining new perspectives and skills that will strengthen my service to JBU and the Christian higher education community."

The ELA opened the 2026-27 program with the first of two in-person seminars, June 15–16, in Washington, D.C., bringing members together for an intensive learning experience led by current and former presidents, as well as subject matter experts, who addressed key issues shaping higher education today.

“At a time of significant change across the higher education landscape, programs like ELA play a critical role in supporting and preparing the next generation of institutional leaders,” said Charles L. Welch, AASCU’s president and CEO. “Through our partnership, we are proud to invest in leaders who are deeply committed to their campuses and communities.”

Since its inception in 2009, the Executive Leadership Academy has cultivated a strong pipeline of executives, with many alumni advancing to top leadership positions nationwide. The program equips these leaders with the strategic insight and adaptability required to navigate the evolving demands of higher education.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News) and No. 2 private university (The Wall Street Journal), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 34 states and 43 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including business, nursing, visual arts, engineering, teacher education, psychology, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Twelve graduate degrees are available in business, counseling and cybersecurity.

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SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (June 9, 2026) — John Brown University announced new programs to expand access to career-connected learning for high school students in Northwest Arkansas.

A grant from the Walton Family Foundation will provide $294,941 to expand equitable access to computer science programs and $146,870 to expand JBU’s Summer Academy career exploration programming that focuses on additional high-demand sectors. Both initiatives will prioritize career-connected learning for high school students from low-income backgrounds in rural and smaller school districts in Benton and Washington Counties.

“Northwest Arkansas is experiencing tremendous economic growth, but not all students have equal access to the pathways that lead to high-demand careers,” said Ted Song, Ph.D., chief innovation officer at JBU. “JBU continues to expand as a regional connector — partnering with school districts to remove barriers to computer science education and career exploration, so that all high school students in Northwest Arkansas have an opportunity to thrive in our region’s workforce.”

JBU’s first initiative will create a 16-week, online Python programming course, offered each fall, for NWA high school students that earns both high school and college credit. In the spring, JBU will launch a program for computer science professionals to earn a teaching certificate and become academically qualified to serve as instructors for the Python course in future semesters, expanding capacity.

JBU will collaborate on its concurrent approach with NWA public high schools to remove financial barriers for local students while creating clear, early pathways into high-demand technology careers.

The second initiative will build on nearly a decade of successful summer programming by expanding the capacity of JBU’s residential Summer Academy to allow high school sophomores through seniors to explore high-demand career programs, including healthcare, engineering, criminal justice, construction, sports medicine, business operations and more. JBU will also launch a 9th Grade Career Explorer Day program to allow younger students to sample multiple career pathways before selecting a residential track in later years. Need-based scholarships for NWA students will be available using an income-based sliding scale.

"Scholarship support opens doors that have been closed to too many talented students in our region,” said Ryan Ladner, DBA, JBU vice president for enrollment management. “Our summer academy can now serve students from districts and backgrounds who might have difficulty accessing career-connected learning opportunities."

These new initiatives will enable NWA students to explore high-demand fields, build foundational skills and identify concrete steps such as advanced coursework, career and technical education pathways, certifications or future work-based opportunities.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News) and No. 2 private university (The Wall Street Journal), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 34 states and 43 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including business, nursing, visual arts, engineering, teacher education, psychology, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Twelve graduate degrees are available in business, counseling and cybersecurity.

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SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (May 27, 2026) — The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities has named Ted Song, Ph.D., senior fellow for global engagement, effective July 1, 2026. 

While continuing his work at John Brown University, Song will collaborate with the CCCU Office of Membership to develop and support opportunities specifically designed to engage and serve the CCCU’s international member institutions. These initiatives may include strategically and regionally located conferences and workshops across multiple continents, the cultivation of key leadership networking groups and sustained dialogue on the integration of faith and learning within diverse geographic and cultural contexts.

At JBU, Song serves on the presidential cabinet as chief intercultural engagement officer and chief innovation officer, providing institution-wide leadership for intercultural engagement across education, board engagement and oversight of global and intercultural programs, while also leading academic innovation and strategic program development. 

“I am honored to serve the CCCU in this role at a time of growing global engagement across Christian higher education,” Song said. “Across the U.S. and around the world, we need each other to faithfully equip the next generation of Christian leaders who are called to make disciples of all nations. I look forward to fostering meaningful partnerships and strengthening collaboration across our global community.” 

Song also brings a broad cross-cultural perspective to his new CCCU role. A Korean American raised in both Korea and the United States, with significant engagement in global Christian missions including participation in the North American Delegation of the Lausanne Movement, he offers a globally informed understanding of the Christian faith and its expression across diverse cultural and institutional contexts. 

“Ted is a gifted leader for JBU, and I am grateful that the CCCU will also benefit from his wisdom and faithful service in this volunteer role,” said JBU President Chip Pollard. “Ted’s deep commitment to the global witness of Christ-centered higher education, combined with his cross-cultural experience and heart for building authentic Christian community, make him an ideal bridge-builder for the CCCU’s growing international membership.” 

Song has served as chair of the CCCU Diversity and Inclusion Commission since 2022 and was selected in 2023 as an inaugural CCCU Presidential Fellow, a yearlong fellowship designed to prepare leaders for Christian college presidencies. 

“As the CCCU continues to grow its global membership, it has become increasingly clear that we must be intentional in how we serve and equip our international institutions,” CCCU President David A. Hoag said. “Our focus is on creating meaningful, accessible opportunities for connection, professional development and shared learning that strengthen their work within local contexts and home countries. Ted’s background, passion for the global Christian witness and deep commitment to Christian higher education uniquely position him to help the CCCU strengthen its global partnerships and faithfully support the shared mission of Christ-centered higher education around the world.”

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News) and No. 2 private university (The Wall Street Journal), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 34 states and 43 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including business, nursing, visual arts, engineering, teacher education, psychology, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Twelve graduate degrees are available in business, counseling and cybersecurity.

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