THE COLLEGE GUIDE 2017
force that revitalizes the Delta and restores the American Dream in the communities we serve,” he said. “In order to achieve that vision, we customize our programs to the needs of local industries and teach our students the skills they need to start a career that will provide family-supporting wages.” Taking its cue from local industries, ASU Newport tailors programs to meet the needs of today’s workforce. Curriculum and training equipment are state of the art, especially in the areas of high voltage lineman, diesel technology, nursing, agriculture technology, surgical technology, welding and advanced manufacturing programs. “There is a tremendous focus on career and technical education by two year colleges. It is supported by employers who are unable to hire train workers fast enough,” Shirley said. “ASU-Newport’s programs are actively involved with industry partners to provide us with advice, speak to our programs, judge student competitions and more.” In fact, over the past three years alone, College of the Ouachitas students enjoy a safe and secure campus. the school’s corporate partners have conis the dynamic manner in which they get in step with the state’s tributed more than $350,000 in scholarships and equipment economic development agenda by honing in on the specific valued at over $175,000 to ensure advanced training and creneeds of their communities, area and statewide. Dr. Steve Rook, ate stellar employees. This public-private partnership is crucial president of College of the Ouachitas said the arc of his institufor advancing the mission of the university and has resulted tion’s programs are inextricably connected to the needs of the in programs that are unmatched in the state, such as ASUN’s marketplace and as such, is constantly evolving. commercial driver training program. “Gov. Hutchinson has made it a priority of his administration “The commercial driver training program features a driver to get people more technical training and so we work hard to training course located on the retired runways of an air base,” meet those needs of our business and industry partners,” he Shirley said.“It provides our diesel technology students the ability said. “Our factories and plants need more short-term training to work on active, over-the-road trucks that need maintenance and process technology, in fact, this is a trend statewide and and repair. This gives them the ability to experience problems nationally.” that can occur with over-the-road trucking and learn the best Rook also said two-year schools are also more responsive to techniques to diagnose and repair these modern trucks.” changes in the demographic of the state, particularly among “New to ASU-Newport this year is our Agriculture Technology minority students and the state’s emerging immigrant popuprogram, the only one of its kind in Arkansas. It provides lations for whom a four-year degree takes too long, costs too hands-on experience in the field with a mobile precision ag much and often doesn’t dovetail cleanly into the job market. lab, GPS, GIS, various farm management software and guided “Our best-kept secret is how much we care about our stutractor systems.” dents’ success and how technologically advanced we are with Perhaps the most compelling argument for two-year schools
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robotics, 3D printing and simulators in nursing and truck driving,” Rook said. “Faculty and staff go the extra mile to make sure students succeed.” Among COTO’s student population, average age 27 and most hailing from Hot Spring, Saline, Grant, Dallas and Clark counties, a full one-quarter are nonwhite and 53 percent are first-generation college students. “We strive to help non-traditional students who want or need to make a career change to build a better life for their families,” Rook said. “We take great pride in serving our students’unique needs and challenges. We are an open admissions institution and it is our mission to help those that may be underprepared or have been separated from higher education for a period of time.” Two-year schools are also known for their affordability and nowhere is this more in focus that at Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas in DeQueen. The school maintains a textbook rental program where a $30 fee replaces spending hundreds to purchase books. “Affordability is what drives most students to UA Cossatot,”said Emily Newlin, director of institutional advancement. “Whether it is the need for training that will lead to a career faster than a four-year degree or tuition and fees that total $1,500 or less a semester, our students know that UAC is the place to begin their training.” The school, which is known for its nursing programs (LPN and RN), welding curriculum and the only NCCER certified pipe welding program in the state, offers other cost-savings as well, such as paid internships with Tyson Foods through its industrial technology program. “What surprises our students the most is how affordable college can be and how family-like our campuses are,” Newlin said. “On the first day of classes, if a student asks where a class is located, a staff person is likely to walk them around and get them acquainted. That doesn’t happen on larger college campuses. They are also surprised that we don’t offer student loans. We hope to see every one of our students leave UA Cossatot debt-free.” n