Changes

After a national search, only Henderson's name was  submitted for the UL System presidency, and the supervisors chose him in a unanimous vote.<ref name=lguidry/> He succeeded Daniel Dugan Reneau, Jr., a former president of [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], who had been the interim system presidentsince Sandra Woodley resigned in 2015. Reneau said that Henderson's "career has uniquely prepared him for this role. Higher education in Louisiana is facing some of its most challenging times, and I think the board made an excellent selection to best position the system to combat the challenges ahead.”<ref name=ulsystem>{{cite web|url=https://natchitochesparishjournal.com/2016/10/06/henderson-named-president-of-university-of-louisiana-system/|title=Henderson named president of University of Louisiana|publisher=''Natchitoches Parish Journal''|date=October 6, 2016|accessdate=February 18, 2018}}</ref>

After a national search, only Henderson's name was  submitted for the UL System presidency, and the supervisors chose him in a unanimous vote.<ref name=lguidry/> He succeeded Daniel Dugan Reneau, Jr., a former president of [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], who had been the interim system presidentsince Sandra Woodley resigned in 2015. Reneau said that Henderson's "career has uniquely prepared him for this role. Higher education in Louisiana is facing some of its most challenging times, and I think the board made an excellent selection to best position the system to combat the challenges ahead.”<ref name=ulsystem>{{cite web|url=https://natchitochesparishjournal.com/2016/10/06/henderson-named-president-of-university-of-louisiana-system/|title=Henderson named president of University of Louisiana|publisher=''Natchitoches Parish Journal''|date=October 6, 2016|accessdate=February 18, 2018}}</ref>

During his time as the NSU president, Henderson worked to increase enrollment. Upon his appointment as UL System president, he expressed "a deep sense of humility and appreciation...even though I obviously have some mixed emotions about leaving a university that has been such an important part of my life.”<ref name=ulsystem/>

During his time as the NSU president, Henderson worked to increase enrollment. Upon his appointment as UL System president, he expressed "a deep sense of humility and appreciation...even though I obviously have some mixed emotions about leaving a university that has been such an important part of my life.”<ref name=ulsystem/>

Henderson described his educational philosophy as one that starts and ends with students," rather than the "policy environment" of higher education. He indicated that he will visit all nine campuses on a regular basis and will seeking ways to get students more involved in the universities.  He proposed that a student advisory council be established on each campus to meet with board members. He promised to work to reduce the "spiraling increase in out-of-pocket costs on our students. We are making [college] unaffordable to a big population of the state."<ref name=lguidry>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/local/education/2016/10/06/henderson-named-ul-system-president/91618338/|title=Henderson named UL System president|author=Leigh Guidry|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date=October 6, 2016|accessdate=February 18, 2018}}</ref>

Henderson described his educational philosophy as one that starts and ends with students," rather than the "policy environment" of higher education. He indicated that he will visit all nine campuses on a regular basis and will seeking ways to get students more involved in the universities.  He proposed that a student advisory council be established on each campus to meet with board members. He promised to work to reduce the "spiraling increase in out-of-pocket costs on our students. We are making [college] unaffordable to a big population of the state."<ref name=lguidry>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/local/education/2016/10/06/henderson-named-ul-system-president/91618338/|title=Henderson named UL System president|author=Leigh Guidry|publisher=''[[Alexandria Town Talk]]''|date=October 6, 2016|accessdate=February 18, 2018}}</ref>

In April 2018, Henderson said in a KEEL [[radio]] interview that the popular Taylor Opportunity Scholarship Program could face funding cuts but added: "Nobody wants to cut TOPS. It's just figuring out how we're going to get to that place." Henderson said that the 2018 state budget deficit could range from $600 million to $900 million but noted "indications of growth in the Louisiana economy that could drive that number lower."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/dr-jim-henderson-colleges-and-universities-always-in-the-crosshairs-video/|title=Dr. Jim Henderson: Colleges and universities always in the crosshairs|publisher=KEEL Radio|location=[[Shreveport]]|author=Robert J. Wright and Erin McCarty|date=April 5, 2018}}</ref>

In April 2018, Henderson said in a KEEL [[radio]] interview that the popular Taylor Opportunity Scholarship Program could face funding cuts but added: "Nobody wants to cut TOPS. It's just figuring out how we're going to get to that place." Henderson said that the 2018 state budget deficit could range from $600 million to $900 million but noted "indications of growth in the Louisiana economy that could drive that number lower."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/dr-jim-henderson-colleges-and-universities-always-in-the-crosshairs-video/|title=Dr. Jim Henderson: Colleges and universities always in the crosshairs|publisher=KEEL Radio|location=[[Shreveport]]|author=Robert J. Wright and Erin McCarty|date=April 5, 2018}}</ref>