Jennifer Anderson, Ed.D., was named the Hardin Professor for 2026 during Midwestern State University’s commencement ceremony on May 16.  

Anderson, the 66^th recipient of the award, currently serves as chair and associate professor of respiratory care in the Robert D. & Carol Gunn College of Health Sciences & Human Services.   

In 1961, the Hardin Foundation for Wichita County established the Hardin Professor award to promote excellence in teaching, scholarship, or artistic production. The award is presented in honor of all teaching scholars and bestowed annually during our May commencement. The first Hardin Professor was named in May 1962.  

Anderson joined the MSU faculty in 2007, and her recent promotion to full professor will be effective September 1. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from Midwestern State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Texas Woman’s University, and an Ed.D. from the University of North Texas. 

Anderson has taught extensively within the respiratory care curriculum, including courses on neonatal, pediatric, and adult critical care. She also contributes to the university’s core curriculum by teaching honors courses and the first-year seminar.  

Her research focuses on student success and professional practice in respiratory care. She collaborates closely with students on projects aimed at meeting the needs of first-year respiratory care students. Her scholarly work also includes studies of death-coping strategies among respiratory therapists, undergraduate health science education during the pandemic, and evidence-based practices in respiratory care. 

Anderson has overseen significant enrollment growth in both traditional programs and an accelerated track for registered respiratory therapists. Under her leadership, the department received the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) APEX Award in 2024-25 for achievement in education, quality, and patient care. Since August 2023, she has also served as the interim graduate coordinator, during which time she has achieved a 200% increase in enrollment in the Master of Health Services Administration program.