Joyce M. Hardin

Joyce M. Hardin is a Professor of Biology and Chair of the Environmental Studies Program at Hendrix College. She has held the rank of Professor since 1989. Her teaching responsibilities include courses such as Botany (BIOL 190), Cell Biology (BIOL 150), and the Biology of Algae and Fungi (BIOL 360). She is actively involved in the Arkansas Garden project, contributing to the curation of plant collections in sections like Natural Trees and Shrubs, Medicinal Prairie, and the Rare and Endemic Bog. Her research interests focus on plant biology, ecology, and environmental conservation, reflecting her role in both teaching and departmental leadership.

Dr. Hardin’s affiliation with the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Life Sciences underscores her commitment to interdisciplinary science education. She has influenced the development of the Biology Department’s curriculum, emphasizing hands-on research and liberal arts integration. Her contributions to student mentorship are evident through her involvement in departmental awards and initiatives, though specific student advisees are not listed in available records.

Her work extends to facility management, including oversight of laboratories and the Arkansas Garden, which houses significant botanical collections such as the Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and medicinal plants like Ashy Sunflower (Helianthus mollis). Dr. Hardin’s academic leadership aligns with Hendrix College’s mission to foster critical thinking and interdisciplinary inquiry.