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Author: Natalie Harrell

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Crowley’s Ridge College Among Fastest-Growing Four-Year Colleges in Arkansas

Crowley’s Ridge College (Paragould, Ark.) continues to demonstrate strong enrollment momentum, as highlighted in the April 6, 2026 edition of Arkansas Business Online, which ranks the state’s largest four-year colleges and universities based on Fall 2025 enrollment.

According to the listing, CRC recorded a 22.6% increase in enrollment from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025, one of the highest growth rates among all four-year institutions in Arkansas. While several universities experienced modest gains, flat enrollment, or even declines, CRC’s double-digit increase reflects a clear upward trajectory.

“This report affirms what we are seeing on our campus each day,” said Dr. Richard Johnson, President of Crowley’s Ridge College. “God continues to bless CRC with growing opportunities to serve students, and we are grateful for the momentum we are experiencing in enrollment, academic programs, and campus life. I am very grateful for the excellent work of our admissions team, the strong recruiting efforts of our coaches, and the concurrent enrollment high school partnerships created by our registrar’s office.”

The statewide data shows that many institutions posted single-digit growth, while some experienced declines of up to double digits. In contrast, CRC’s 22.6% increase places it among the strongest performers in Arkansas in terms of year-over-year enrollment growth.

CRC’s continued growth reflects several key factors:

-A strong commitment to its Christ-centered mission

-Expansion of academic programs and partnerships

-Increased outreach through concurrent enrollment and transfer pathways

-Strengthened engagement with churches and communities across Arkansas

As a private Christian college, CRC remains focused on providing a personalized educational experience that integrates faith and learning while preparing students for meaningful careers and service.

“This level of growth, especially among smaller private colleges, is encouraging and speaks to the value students and families are finding at CRC,” Johnson added. “We remain committed to building on this momentum as we continue to serve our students and advance our mission.”

For more information about Crowley’s Ridge College, visit www.crc.edu.

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CRC and BRTC Sign Teacher Education Agreement

(PARAGOULD, Ark.) – Two higher education institutions in northeast Arkansas are joining forces to help prepare the region’s education sector. Black River Technical College and Crowley’s Ridge College formally signed a teacher education agreement Friday, March. 13, in a ceremony on the CRC campus.

“This partnership between Black River Technical College and Crowley’s Ridge College creates a clear pathway for students in Northeast Arkansas to pursue the calling of teaching while remaining close to the communities they hope to serve,” says CRC President Dr. Richard Johnson. “I am grateful to the leaders and faculty from both institutions whose work and cooperation made this Memorandum of Understanding possible.”

“When a BRTC student moves through this pathway to become a teacher, they aren’t just earning a degree; they are becoming a cornerstone of our community – extending the reach of our proud mission,” said BRTC President Martin Eggensperger. “They transform lives. They enhance their communities. The long reach and social impact of these teachers will be immeasurable.” 

The memorandum of understanding calls for BRTC and CRC to establish a pipeline for educator training in Northeast Arkansas. By working together, BRTC and CRC hope to develop a pathway for future educators to be trained close to home so that they can continue working and impacting their local communities. This partnership is our way of working to address the critical teacher shortage that is often felt the hardest in rural communities.

BRTC’s flagship campus is in Pocahontas, with additional campuses in Paragould and Piggott.

CRC is a private, Christian college located in Paragould, Arkansas.

 

 

Joint Media Release from Black River Technical College & Crowley’s Ridge College

Claire Fisher / BRTC: claire.fisher@blackrivertech.edu or 870-248-4187

Natalie Harrell / CRC: nharrell@crc.edu or 870-236-6901

Photo attached of BRTC-CRC Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony. Seated (back row, left to right): CRC President Dr. Johnson, BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger. (Front row, left to right): CRC Division Chair of Teacher Education Dr. Zach Grimes, CRC Vice President for Academic Affairs Jeremy Pierce, BRTC Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Brad Baine, BRTC Dean of General Studies Darenda Kersey.

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Dennis Hanes Named 2026 Distinguished Alumnus

Crowley’s Ridge College would like to recognize Dennis Hanes as the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award in recognition of his outstanding service to the church, the community and to Christian education. He will be formally recognized at halftime of CRC’s Homecoming game on Saturday, February 14th as the Pioneers take on Harris-Stowe State University.

A 1975 graduate of Crowley’s Ridge College, Hanes earned his Associate of Arts degree before continuing his studies in accounting at Harding University in Searcy. He is a retired Certified Public Accountant with many years of experience in accounting and finance, most recently with Kraft, Miles & Tatum LLC of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Hanes has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to leadership and service, having served as past President of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Southeast Chapter of the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants, and past President and current Treasurer of the Poplar Bluff Lions Club. He currently serves as President of the United Cancer Assistance Network and has been a member of CRC’s Board of Trustees since June 2023.

He and his wife, Beverly (Wheeler) Hanes, are members of Green Forest Church of Christ in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where Dennis also serves as an elder.

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CRC Enrollment Continues to Increase; Record Enrollment for Spring 2026

PARAGOULD, AR (January 29, 2026) – Crowley’s Ridge College (CRC) continues its positive enrollment momentum with a strong Spring 2026 semester. The official 11th-day headcount stands at 311 students, marking the largest enrollment in the college’s history and reflecting CRC’s ongoing commitment to providing quality Christian higher education in a Christ-centered environment.


This growth represents continued progress in enrollment and highlights the expanding reach of CRC’s academic, athletic, concurrent enrollment programs, and the institution’s success in working with other schools and colleges.


Key Highlights of Spring 2026 Enrollment:
-Total Headcount: 311 students, a new record, breaking the former 299 record set in fall 2025
-Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): 185.07
-Residential and Commuters: 142 students
-Concurrent Enrollment: 145 high school students earning college credit through partnerships with schools across Central and Northeast Arkansas, West Memphis, and homeschool families
-Arkansas Residents: 219 students (70.4%)
-States Represented: 29 total states


“Seeing a spring headcount of 311 students, which is higher than our fall 2025 headcount, is extremely encouraging for Crowley’s Ridge College,” said Dr. Richard Johnson, President. “These numbers reflect
God’s blessings on this College and the faithful work of our admissions team, coaches, faculty, staff, as well as the trust families place in CRC to provide a Christ-centered education that prepares students for
lives of service and leadership.”


CRC continues to experience strong interest in several academic areas, including Business, Teacher Education, Biblical Studies, Psychology, and General Studies, while also expanding opportunities through
concurrent enrollment and strategic partnerships.


“We are especially grateful for the growth in concurrent enrollment and the continued strength of our residential and athletic programs,” Johnson added. “More students are choosing CRC as a place where
faith, learning, and community come together. I am thankful for the excellent work of all our CRC family who are helping move CRC forward as we continue to grow in our outreach to CRC students.”


For more information about enrollment or academic programs at Crowley’s Ridge College, visit www.crc.edu or call (870) 236-6901.

About Crowley’s Ridge College
Crowley’s Ridge College, located in Paragould, Arkansas, is a private, four-year Christian college dedicated to providing a transformative education rooted in faith, service, and academic excellence.

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CRC Announces Fall 2025 Dean’s and President’s Lists

Crowley’s Ridge College has announced the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the Fall 2025 semester.

Recognition for these academic honors is based on grades earned during each semester of the regular academic year. Eligibility for the Dean’s List requires at least a 3.5 GPA with a minimum course load of 12 credit hours. Eligibility for the President’s List requires a 4.0 GPA with a minimum course load of 12 credit hours to qualify.

President’s List:

Jett Becerra

Natalie Brightwell

Dillon Broussard

Jordan Brown

Braiden Burk

Madelyn Burris

Jesalyn Carpino

Brooklyn Cross

Bailey Cupples

Lawson DeVault

Jillian Glasgow

Joshua Lazzarino

Laura Lazzarino

Kason Newsom

Trey Noblin

Garet O’Dell

Eric Pangborn

Grace Parker

Katie Patterson

Christopher Riddle

Amiyah Saxton

Shawn-Hudson Seegraves

Johnathan Shultz

Ava Summitt

Christian Walls

Kolby Webb

Lilly Wessel

James Wilson

Emma Wyatt

Dean’s List:

Caise Austin

Emily Bake

Kyrsten Bake

Ethan Bell

Aimee Buckley

Hailey Cantrell

Isabella Carden

Gabriel Childs

Judson Collier

Noah Dahnke

Brice Davis

Alyssa Dirden

Mark Eagleman

Parker Gordon

Jesse Gorman

Brent Gossett

Nadia Greer

Peyton Griffith

Ethan Hopkins

Daisy Jackson

Jordan Janak

Daisy Kennon

Mason LeCroy

Allyson Lipp

Corben Lynch

Elijah Mayfield

Cole Nichols

Lucas Peel

Kyzer Phillips

Madison Prysock

Reicken Rainwater

Jordan Rasmussen

Ricardo Requena

Skylar Rhodes

Gregory Robinson

James Stacy

Tori McGowan

Aydan Trenchard

Caleb Wade

Mallory Welch

John Wilson

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Crowley’s Ridge College Achieves Record Enrollment

PARAGOULD, AR (September 3, 2025) – Crowley’s Ridge College has reached the largest enrollment in its history this fall. The official 11th-day headcount for Fall 2025 stands at 299 students, surpassing the previous record of 261 set in Spring 2025 by 38 students (a 14.6% increase) and exceeding last fall’s total of 243 by an impressive 23%.

This milestone reflects CRC’s continued commitment to providing quality Christian higher education in a supportive and engaging environment. It also marks the sixth consecutive enrollment increase since Dr. Richard Johnson assumed the presidency in January 2020.

Key Highlights of Fall 2025 Enrollment:

  • Total Headcount: 299 students, an all-time high for CRC

     

  • Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): 190, a 5.8% increase over Fall 2024

     

  • Residential Students: 114 students living in CRC housing on or near campus, a 5.6% increase that further strengthens campus life

     

  • Concurrent Enrollment: 124 high school students earning college credit through partnerships with schools in Central and Northeast Arkansas and the West Memphis area, up from 74 in Fall 2024

     

“Reaching a new enrollment record is a tremendous achievement for CRC,” said Dr. Richard Johnson, President of Crowley’s Ridge College. “These numbers reflect the hard work of our faculty, staff, and recruiters, as well as the growing recognition of the value of a Christ-centered education at CRC.”

The college remains focused on strong academic programs, expanded campus life opportunities, and partnerships with schools throughout the state.

“We are especially encouraged by the increases in both residential and concurrent enrollment,” Johnson added. “More students are choosing CRC as their home for faith, learning, and community. I am deeply grateful for the excellent work of our admissions team, our concurrent enrollment coordinator, and our coaches who continue to recruit outstanding student-athletes for our collegiate teams.”

For more information about concurrent enrollment or academic programs at Crowley’s Ridge College, visit www.crc.edu or call (870) 236-6901.

About Crowley’s Ridge College
Crowley’s Ridge College, located in Paragould, Arkansas, is a private, four-year Christian college dedicated to providing a transformative education rooted in faith, service, and academic excellence.

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CRC Accepted to the NACCAP

Crowley’s Ridge College’s application for membership to the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals was recently accepted. CRC will now appear in various list serves such as  FindYourChristianCollege.com for high school students who decide to follow their faith while furthering their education by attending a Christian college in the United States.

The North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (NACCAP) is a leading and innovative organization recognized for effectively serving and engaging its members by providing vital professional development and initiatives that champion the cause for Christian education. NACCAP’s college fairs, virtual tours and other planning resources are created to put each individual student in the best position to find the best Christian college available for them and their success.

A list of upcoming NACCAP events can be found at www.naccap.org/upcoming-events.

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CRC Reaches Articulation Agreement with Black River Technical College

Crowley’s Ridge College and Black River Technical College entered into a formal articulation agreement on Thursday, July 10, 2025 on the campus of CRC in Paragould, Arkansas. By entering into this agreement, CRC and BRTC express their mutual commitment to serve students in their respective areas by providing high quality educational programs and services.

The purpose of this articulation agreement is to assist students in making a seamless transfer from BRTC’s Associate of Science in Business program to CRC’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing programs by clarifying transfer policies and procedures between both programs.

“Black River Technical College is grateful to partner with Crowley’s Ridge College, as both institutions strive to serve their students and surrounding communities,” states Vice President for Academic Affairs Brad Baine. “The proximity of our two colleges will help students maintain their local community involvement and professional responsibilities as they complete their respective degrees.” 

The agreement is entered into the academic year 2025-2026 and remains in effect henceforth. This agreement will be reviewed every five years to ensure currency with the respective degree requirements.

 

Pictured above are (Front Row, L to R): Dr. Treka Clark, CRC Division Chair of Business & Technology, Jeremy Pierce, CRC Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Brad Baine, BRTC Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Phillip Dickson, BRTC Dean of Business & Technology. (Back Row, L to R): Dr. Richard Johnson, CRC President, and Dr. Martin Eggensperger, BRTC President

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CRC Announces Spring 2025 Dean’s and President’s Lists

Crowley’s Ridge College has announced the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the Spring 2025 semester.

Recognition for these academic honors is based on grades earned during each semester of the regular academic year. Eligibility for the Dean’s List requires at least a 3.5 GPA with a minimum course load of 12 credit hours. Eligibility for the President’s List requires a 4.0 GPA with a minimum course load of 12 credit hours to qualify.

President’s List:

Cannon Baker

Joseph Becerra

Zakaryah Brown

Braiden Burk

Madelyn Burris

Jesalyn Carpino

Gabriel Childs

Katie Cole

Laura Combs Lazzarino

Bailey Cupples

Jada Diaz

Alyssa Dirden

Bailee Duhme

KristyAnn Grimes

Kourtni Jagneaux

Brooklyn Kearbey

Joshua Lazzarino

Trenton McGowan

Brinley Morgan

Kason Newsom

Garet O’Dell

Matthew Parker

Shawn-Hudson Seegraves

Michael Sharp Jr.

Tori Sutherland

Samantha Tonkery

Jocelyn Villarreal

Lilly Wessel

John Wilson

Travia Woodruff

 

Dean’s List:

Caise Austin

Ethan Bell

Natalie Brightwell

Aimee Buckley

Brooklyn Cross

Ansley Dawson

Mark Eagleman

JackHenry Glasgow

Jillian Glasgow

Parker Gordon

Brent Gossett

Hunter Graff

Peyton Griffith

Gavin Hall

Brylan Honeycutt

Ethan Hopkins

Jaden Irvin

Reece Kieffner

Elijah Mayfield

Sara McCain

Trey Noblin

Karsen Overshine

Eric Pangborn

Hannah Parker

Skylar Rhodes

Gregory Robinson

Johnathan Shultz

Trenton Siemens

Georgia Spinks

Caleb Wade

Hunter Wilkerson

Jaden Yates

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CRC’s Carissa Winn Promoted to Associate Professor

Crowley’s Ridge College is pleased to announce that Mrs. Carissa Winn has been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Psychology.  Current and prospective faculty members are eligible for this appointment by holding at least 60 graduate-level hours of study and five years of higher education teaching experience.

Mrs. Winn received her Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies from Freed-Hardeman University in 2011 where she played collegiate volleyball for four seasons. Winn served as Crowley’s Ridge College’s Head Volleyball Coach from 2019-2024.

Winn also earned her Specialist in Education in Mental Health Counseling from Arkansas State University in 2014 and served as a Licensed Professional Counselor in various settings. She played a crucial role in the development of CRC’s newest degree program, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and she advises all psychology majors on campus.

 “Mrs. Winn has been an invaluable asset to CRC Academics, and her contributions are especially vital as we expand with the addition of our new Psychology degree program,” says Vice President for Academic Affairs Jeremy Pierce. “This well-deserved title promotion reflects her dedication, expertise, and the profound impact she has had on our academic community. We are deeply grateful for her continued commitment to CRC and proud to celebrate this important milestone—for both Mrs. Winn and our beloved college.”  

Congratulations to Mrs. Winn on this promotion and career milestone!

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