New STEM-Focused Higher Education Institution Planned for Bentonville

Walton family members spearhead development of university to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders

BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At this year's Heartland Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas — a gathering of leaders focused on advancing economic growth and opportunity across the middle of the country — Tom Walton and Steuart Walton shared plans for members of their family to launch a new higher education institution designed to reimagine STEM education for the next generation of innovators, builders, and entrepreneurs. The university will be part of the mixed-use development planned for the former Walmart Home Office, where Sam Walton had his final office.

The new university is being developed in collaboration with national education experts and will offer a modern, flexible, and accessible model that is both STEM-focused and business-infused. This project aims to bring a distinctive and collaborative approach to learning that reflects the region's spirit of innovation.

"Bentonville is the perfect place to spark catalytic change — a community rooted in innovation, entrepreneurship and bold thinking," Steuart Walton said. "We have the opportunity to build a new model of higher education, designed for the realities of today's economy and the challenges of tomorrow, and set a new standard for what's possible."

The school expects to welcome its first undergraduate class—approximately 500 students—in the coming years, growing to about 1,500 undergraduates and 500 non-degree learners over time. In its initial years of operation, tuition will be fully covered to help attract enterprising candidates with entrepreneurial spirit.

"Universities are among the most important knowledge assets for cities and states, shaping the economic prospects of their regions and the nation overall," said Ross DeVol, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Heartland Forward. "The creation of a new STEM-focused university in Bentonville represents a bold step to strengthen our region's innovation capacity and deepen our workforce. By embedding technology transfer and commercialization into the very fabric of the institution, we can accelerate the movement of ideas from the lab to the marketplace, drive economic growth across the Heartland, and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs and industries of the future."

Though early in development, planners are committed to ensuring the institution contributes meaningfully to the region's broader educational and economic landscape. The school will offer stackable, flexible credentials aligned with fast-moving, in-demand fields such as computing, technical management, automation and logistics, and biomedical technology.

"We're proud to see this site—so full of history—take on new life as a center for innovation and learning," said Donna Morris, Chief People Officer at Walmart. "We believe it's a fitting tribute to the entrepreneurial legacy of Sam Walton."

More information will be shared in the coming months. The planners will continue listening to and engaging with state and local officials, community members, educators, and institutional partners, including the University of Arkansas, as plans take shape.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ryan Hom
[email protected]
202-585-2202

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SOURCE Heartland Forward