THE COLLEGE ISSUE 2013
Two Year College Update
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44 AUGUST 22, 2013 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES • THE COLLEGE ISSUE 2013
ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY-OZARK During 2013, Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a member of the Arkansas Tech University system. Located in the Franklin County community of Ozark, Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus offers 11 associate degrees and 15 technical certificates. Among the most recent program additions at Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus is an Associate of Science degree in cardiovascular technology that will prepare graduates for careers in echocardiography labs as cardiovascular technicians. Other health-related programs, including Associate of Science degrees in physical therapy assistant, occupational therapy assistant and nursing, are helping Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus graduates connect with in-demand careers inside the state. COLLEGE OF THE OUACHITAS Earlier this year, College of the Ouachitas was named as a Top 10 Community College in the Nation by the Aspen Institute. The institute recognizes “high achievement and performance in the nation’s community colleges�. The 2013 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence was awarded in March in Washington, D.C., with Second Lady Jill Biden present. “The Aspen Prize process evaluated more than 1,000 community colleges. Being one of the top 10 is itself something to celebrate,� said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program. “College of the Ouachitas’ recognition is well-deserved. In a region with limited economic opportunity, the college works hard to provide students with the tools and support they need to be successful in the classroom and in the workforce.� Among the reasons College of the Ouachitas stands out as one of the nation’s top community colleges: Steady increases in the number of credentials awarded – from 28 for every 100 full-time equivalent students in 2006 to 46 in 2010 47 percent of first-time, full-time students graduate or transfer within three years, compared to the national average of 40 percent Serves low-income student body – 61 percent of first-time, full-time undergraduates receive Pell grants “Student success and completion are
primary to our mission at College of the Ouachitas,� President Stephen Schoonmaker stated. “Our selection as one of the Top 10 Community Colleges in the Nation for the 2013 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence clearly demonstrates that College of the Ouachitas is indeed achieving success with our students in exciting and innovative ways.� COSSATOT COMMUNITY COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS UA Cossatot has achieved accreditation for their business programs by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). “It is very important to us as a college, and to the business and agriculture division, that UA Cossatot graduate students who are equipped to be productive members of the workforce,� said Barbara Lacefield, division chair for business and agriculture for UA Cossatot. “We value the accreditation we earned from ACBSP because we are required to teach current industry standards and methods. Our accreditation only increases the value of our students’ education.� UA Cossatot is also one of four twoyear colleges chosen to participate in the Accelerating Opportunity grant. This grant will allow students without a GED credential or high school diploma to earn a technical certificate in welding. Cossatot staff attended a workshop in Seattle, Washington, to learn more and observe the I-BEST model in action. Adult education instructors team-teach with college instructors to supplement educational gaps that students may have in basic areas of math or reading skills. Adult education instructors may also assist students with soft skills in the areas of employability: creating resumes, job interviewing skills, job searches and getting along with other employees. The program is to begin in the fall 2013. NATIONAL PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE National Park Community College offers programs for students pursuing two-year associate degrees, students planning to continue their college education at fouryear institutions and students seeking a