On a gray shield embroidered item arched convexly at top  coming to a 90 degree angular point at base edged with a 1/16 inch (.16 cm) white border, the letter H, its crossbar extended outwardly, curving and terminating to heart in base, all maroon outlined white all within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) maroon border.  The overall dimensions are 3 1/8 inches (7.94 cm) in height and 2 3/8 inches (6.03 cm) in width.

Maroon and gray are the university colors.  The shield shape describes the protection of the ideals espoused by the State.  The heart refers to the universitys motto SCHOOL WITH A HEART.

The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized 16 April 1956.  It was amended to include a manufacturing drawings, update the description and add a symbolism on 29 March 2002, currently amended to update the manufacturing drawings on 30 August 2016.  (TIOH Drawing Number A-10S-164)

A Silver color metal and epoxied device 1 1/16 (2.70 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Sanguine, two Bowie knives saltirewise between in chief a heart and in base a lamp enflamed all Argent. Attached below the shield on a three segmented silver scroll inscribed SCHOOL on the dexter segment, WITH A on the center segment, HEART on the sinister segment all in maroon.

The colors maroon and silver are taken form the shoulder sleeve insignia of Henderson State University. The crossed Bowie knives allude to the nickname of the State, the area in which the first Bowie knife was manufactured.  They are also representative of military training and the combat capabilities developed in military training and the lamp enflamed alludes to the basic purpose of the University, to foster maximum growth and development of each student.  The heart, from the shoulder sleeve insignia and the motto chosen by the University, reflect the spirit of human understanding demonstrated by the University in fulfilling its purpose.

The shoulder loop insignia was originally authorized 11 April 1968, currently amended to update the manufacturing drawings on 30 August 2016.