Henderson hires Fleming as VP of finance and administration

Rita D. Fleming has been hired as vice president of finance and administration at Henderson State University. Fleming currently serves as division chief financial officer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in Little Rock.

Fleming will start her new job on Dec. 1 with an annual salary of $175,000.

"Ms. Fleming brings a tremendous amount of higher education experience to this role, and I am pleased to welcome her to the Henderson campus," said Henderson Acting President Elaine Kneebone.

Fleming earned a B.S. in accounting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and received her juris doctor from the UALR Bowen School of Law. She is a Certified Public Accountant.

“I am excited about the opportunity to join President Kneebone and her staff at Henderson State University and look forward to working with the outstanding team in the finance and administration area,” Fleming said. “Henderson's work in higher education provides a solid foundation to its students and a great benefit to the State of Arkansas. I look forward to our team's continued contribution to that work.”

Fleming has worked for the University of Arkansas System since 2010 when she was named vice chancellor for finance and administration/CFO at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, Helena-West Helena.

In 2011, Fleming became associate vice president for finance for the University of Arkansas System Office in Little Rock.

Fleming assumed her current role in 2017. She reports to the vice president for agriculture, and is responsible for reporting financial (budget of more than $134 million), personnel, and capital information to the Department of Higher Education, Legislature, and outside entities.

From 2004-2010, Fleming served as associate vice president for human resources and risk management at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

Fleming also served in several capacities for the Arkansas Department of Higher Education from 1989-2004, including senior associate director for finance, coordinator of finance (institutional, agency and financial aid), and senior finance officer (institutional).