Connections: NWACC year end magazine 2017 2018

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Inside:

• College Breaks Ground In Washington County • Collaboration Hallmark For Integrated Design Lab • Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Earns Recognition

Year-End Repor t 2017-2018

Connections is a year-end publication of Nor thWest Arkansas Community College and the NWACC Foundation.

President Dr. Evelyn E. Jorgenson Dr. Lisa Anderson Executive Director of Planning, Effectiveness & Public Relations Editor Debbie Miller Creative Director Dianna K. Winters-Lewis Ar t Director Amy McLar ty

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Thank you for your support of NorthWest Arkansas Community College. This publication shares with you, our stakeholders, information about your community’s college.

The start of another academic year in August will mark 29 years since the community college’s founding by voters in the Rogers and Bentonville school districts. Our college has grown significantly since the doors first opened, but we strive to continue to fulfill the vision first cast by leaders who wanted the additional educational opportunities that a comprehensive, two-year college could provide. Our commitment is to empower lives, inspire learning, and strengthen community through accessible, affordable, quality education.

We at NWACC work diligently to respond to the needs of our students and our area’s business and industry sectors, and we are pleased to be able to show you in this annual report some specific ways we are addressing those needs. You will find statistics, tidbits about accomplishments, and information 2

NWACC YEAR-END REPORT

about such community-driven initiatives as our construction technology degree program.

You also will have the opportunity to learn more about how lives are being changed as you read short profiles about our students, faculty, and alumni.

We continue to develop modern facilities, state-of-the-art labs, new programs, and a wide array of student support services, including specialized resources for veterans and other groups. We have more exciting news on the horizon as we share with you glimpses of the new Washington County Center and the Integrated Design Lab (IDL) that are now under construction.

Photographer Daniel Yeager Board of Trustees Mr. Joe Spivey, Chair District 9 Mr. Todd Schwartz, Vice Chair District 4 Mr. Ron Branscum, Secretary District 5 Mr. Lucas Pointer District 1 Dr. DeAnne Witherspoon District 2 Mr. Mike Shupe District 3 Mr. Mark Scott District 6 Mrs. Debra Hobbs District 7 Mr. Mauricio Herrera District 8

Thank you for partnering with us as we help students achieve their dreams.

Evelyn E. Jorgenson, Ph.D. President

One College Drive Bentonville, AR 72712 479.986.4000

www.nwacc.edu

CONTENTS 4

Mission & Vision Statements

5

6

Student Life

7

Health Professions

8

Washington County

9

Designing A Future

10

Business & Computer Info.

11

Communication & Arts

Phi Theta Kappa Receives Award

8

Science & Mathematics Division Hosts STEM Events

National Accreditation

College Breaks Ground On Center

IDL Ready To Take Shape

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Raising Cyber Security Awareness

5

First AFA Degrees Awarded

12 Workforce/Brightwater

Programs Mark Milestones 13

Social & Behavioral Sciences

14

Adult Education

15

NWACC Foundation

CAST Program Approved

12

NWACC Student Has Top Score

Plant-A-Seed Fundraiser

On the Cover:

Iris Aquino graduated from NWACC in 2015 with an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. She continues to serve as a volunteer for the college and its LIFE program.

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2017–2018

3

MISSION: Empower lives, inspire learning and strengthen community, through accessible, affordable, quality education.

Largest community college in the state of Arkansas

75+ DEGREES and Cer tificates to choose from

40% of NWACC

students are the first to attend college in their family

(Compared to the first two years at a four-year college)

15,531

awarded in 20172018 (approximately)

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was awarded in privately donated scholarships in 2017-18

$7,100

STUDENTS served in 2016-2017

DEGREES & certificates

of students say that on the whole, the campus is wellmaintained

$320K

NWACC students save an average of

1,200

86%

Over

(Credit students, Workforce & Economic Development, and Adult Education)

92% of graduates would recommend NWACC to friends and family

17:1

Faculty to student ratio

VISION: Positively changing the lives of those we serve.

PTK members receive their award

STUDENT LIFE PTK RECEIVES CHAPTER AWARD Students at NWACC found ways to serve their fellow students, their college and community, and their world through service projects, student organizations, and special activities in 2017-18.

Members of the Beta Kappa Psi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society hosted a regional conference in March on the NWACC campus. Student Kimberly Kay was elected regional vice president and Becky Hudson, the PTK chapter adviser, was chosen as president of the regional advisers group. At the international Phi Theta Kappa conference in Kansas City, NWACC’s chapter received the Distinguished College Project Award for the chapter’s work in the Community College Completions Corps (C-4).

The Student Ambassador and Government Association (SAGA) hosted a full lineup — Pizza with the President, the annual Fall Festival, and a project collecting items needed at Northwest

Arkansas Children’s Shelter. Students in Service Learning partnered with Elmdale Elementary School students and teachers for the Elementary Education Entrepreneurship (E3) project, conducted a supply drive for students in the Cherokee Immersion School, and developed varied sustainability initiatives.

In the larger community, Gamma Beta Phi sponsored the group’s annual drive to collect items for Sharing and Caring of Benton County and the Learning, Improvement, Fun and Empowerment (LIFE) group provided volunteers for the Bentonville Half Marathon. Citizens of the World hosted an international culture night, complete with a fashion show.

More than 20 student organizations provided opportunities for service and camaraderie. The new Geek Alliance at NWACC received the Rising Star Award at the annual SAGA awards.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: RENATO BETIM Renato Betim is a role model for student involvement. He’s served as a senator in the Student Ambassador and Government Association, and he’s a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, which hosted a regional conference at NWACC in March and received the Distinguished College Project Award at the international conference in April. He’s also worked for The Eagle View student newspaper. As part of a group of student journalists attending the College Media Association conference in NYC, Renato, Alaina Hartman, and Estephani Ochoa won third place in the national Iron Reporter Competition.

“I believe in being involved in my community because that is a way I found to give back all that I have learned,” he said.

2017–2018

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Staff member Laurie Scot t looks through a telescope during the solar eclipse

Dixie Androes

SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS DIVISION HOSTS STEM EVENTS The Division of Science & Mathematics had many notable events in the 2017-18 academic year. The division and Ozark STEM Foundation hosted a day of activities for grades K-12 and college students Aug. 19. Participants could learn more through workshops such as an Introduction to Drones, NWA Young Entrepreneurs CEO Presentation, Coding—Star Wars, and activities such as robot soccer, STEM Quiz Bowls, and egg drops.

On Aug. 21, Northwest Arkansas experienced a near-total eclipse of the sun, and the Science Department sponsored Eclipsing the Campus 2017. Dr. Glen Akridge made a presentation, and free eclipse glasses were handed out to hundreds in Bogle Plaza. A filtered telescope and various indirect views were offered. The NWACC Science Department also hosted the first NWA Regional Tournament for Arkansas Science Olympiad on Feb. 27. Seven high schools and middle schools and over 70 students participated.

Dixie Androes, astronomy and geology faculty member, received the Full-time Faculty Member of the Year 2018 Award and spoke at May 12 commencement ceremonies.

The EMPACTS Program (similar to EAST but at the college level) had 60 completed projects across a broad STEM curriculum.

Initiatives included 23 educational outreach projects, in collaboration with area public schools and outreach organizations.

The EMPACTS program sponsored the “Maker Club” student organization and provided entrepreneurial opportunities for NWACC students interested in design and technology projects, and service opportunities by participating as judges, mentors, and volunteers in STEM outreach activities such as Science Olympiad, Ozark STEMposium, and at the Scott Family Amazeum. The EMPACTS/EAST Lab now has 3D printers, a range of open source and licensed technologies, and a VR Sandbox.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: KIMBERLY KAY Kimberly Kay first became interested in science when she was a part of a high school robotics team that 3-D printed prosthetic hands and sent them to Haiti.

“I loved that I could use my tech skills to make a difference,” she says. From that beginning, she’s pressed on with science initiatives. She’s taught in 13 schools about robotics, and she coaches a free weekly STEM education program. She also has served as Ozark STEM Foundation school outreach director.

She plans to complete an A.S. in Liberal Ar ts and Sciences at NWACC and transfer to the University of Arkansas, where she will pursue a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in legal studies. She wants to serve developing countries and hopes to come up with a medical advancement that will save lives.

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HEALTH PROFESSIONS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION Professionals in health care can often measure success in outcomes. Physical therapy helps a patient regain mobility. A breathing treatment clears passageways. A medicine works with the immune system to fight disease.

At NWACC, we also can measure success in outcomes. In 2017, graduates in nursing, EMT and paramedic studies and firefighting all had first-time certification and licensing exam passage rates exceeding the national average. Certified nursing assistants, respiratory therapy students and physical therapist assistant students had 100% pass rates. For the physical therapist assistant program, 2017 marked the 18th year PTA graduates achieved a perfect pass rate. Two students, George Wu and Ariana Ellison, achieved rare perfect 800 scores.

The nursing program achieved national accreditation from the Accreditation Commission on Nursing Education in 2017. The national recognition was in addition to the existing state accreditation already in place. In early 2018, the website www.registerednursing.org ranked NWACC’s nursing program tops in the state among institutions granting an associate degree.

College leaders in the Division of Health Professions continue to seek to address factors in the changing landscape of health care and to meet the needs of the growing region, projected to be among the top 100 metropolitan areas in 2019. For example, health information management developed online and hybrid courses as an option for students juggling demanding schedules. In 2017, NWACC also expanded its paramedic program to supply more trained professionals to staff ambulances throughout Benton and Washington counties.

As NWACC prepares to establish a permanent center in Springdale near Arvest Ballpark and the new Arkansas Children’s Northwest, Mark Wallenmeyer, dean of the health professions division, said the college is preparing now to educate additional nursing and emergency medical responder students at the location. “The need for well-trained health care professions is only growing, and we are pleased to be a regional partner in preparing professionals to enter these high-demand fields,” he said.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT: SCOT T BYRD First, there was the storage closet packed with protective eyewear, steel-toed boots and cargo pants for EMS students.

Now, there’s a scholarship in the works to provide help to students planning for a career helping others.

Faculty member Scott Byrd started collecting the student gear years ago. More recently, he and his wife were inspired to establish a scholarship for EMS students. The Byrds have encouraged family and colleagues to contribute toward the Dr. Monte J. Gagliardi EMS Scholarship, which honors a former faculty member and dean.

The first scholarship is expected to be awarded in Fall 2018.

OVER 355 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED IN 2017-2018

2017–2018

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Renderings cour tesy Hight Jackson Associates

Rendering of the new Washington County Center

COMING SOON WASHINGTON COUNT Y CENTER NWACC is ready to expand our footprint in Washington County!

The construction of a new 38,000-square-foot facility in Springdale will begin this summer and allow the College to better meet the education and training needs of our region and our students.

The state-of-the-art new building will be located just west of Arvest Ballpark and create a true student-focused center, providing enhanced access to affordable higher education for prospective students throughout Northwest Arkansas. Programs initially housed at the new center will include General Education (core coursework), Nursing, Health Information Management, Emergency Medical Responding and offices for NWACC’s Early College Experience/ concurrent high school enrollment program.

College leaders and community supporters participated in a groundbreaking ceremony on June 27 and officially launched a

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new capital campaign – NWACC NOW! The Campaign for YOUR Community College.

Hight Jackson Associates, architect for the project, shared renderings of the new building, and Milestone Construction was on hand as the project contractor. It is anticipated that the new center will be open for classes beginning in Fall 2019 or Spring 2020.

For more information on how you can support the campaign and help students at your community college achieve their dreams, contact the NWACC Foundation at 479-619-4184 or email foundation@nwacc.edu.

WATCH OUR PROGRESS INTEGRATED DESIGN LAB NWACC will break ground in July 2018 on an Integrated Design Lab (IDL), a new building that will provide a quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunity for a population of students who wish to both engage their passions and enhance their employability.

The structure will house students from the Workforce Development, Communication and Arts, and Business and Computer Information divisions and provide each division with additional spaces and resources to deliver programming, including a “maker space” (or fab lab) to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. Students who participate in programming at the IDL will be strongly encouraged to obtain NCCER certification as a supplement to their degree in Fine Arts or Construction Technology. NCCER is a notfor-profit education foundation created in 1996 as the National Center for Construction Education and Research. NCCER develops standardized construction and maintenance curriculum and assessments with portable credentials.

An art student paints details

NWACC is seeking approval to offer a technical certificate in integrated design, which college leaders believe will inspire the perfect formula of form and function and provide our students with an aesthetic and competitive edge.

It’s anticipated that the IDL concept will support employment of graduates in visual arts and media and in construction technology. Regional employment data shows the demand for workers in arts-related positions grew 5 percent in Northwest Arkansas between 2015 and 2016. The construction industry growth rate is projected to be 15 percent statewide between 2012 and 2022, and more than 1,400 new construction jobs are anticipated to meet that growth. A tagline for IDL expresses the vision for the project in this way — Integrated Design at NWACC: Where inspiration and craft become career realities.

The new building will be constructed on property west of the Becky Paneitz Student Center. Its first phase will include 18,589 square feet of space with an exterior fabrication space of 4,334 square feet. The anticipated completion date is in 2019. SCM Architects is the architecture firm. Nabholz Corporation is the contractor.

Students learn construction skills

View from southeast

Renderings cour tesy SCM Architects

Rendering of the new Integrated Design Lab

2017–2018

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Enactus hosted Shewmaker lectures by entrepreneur Omar Kasim and Walmart’s Blaine Douglas

Dr. Jorgenson and Meredith Chapman, an NWACC Distinguished Graduate who is transferring to Walton College of Business

BUSINESS & COMPUTER INFORMATION DIVISION HOSTS CYBER SECURIT Y EVENTS Students at NWACC can prepare for careers in business management, web development, or computer-aided drafting (CAD) or complete the coursework needed to transfer to a university to complete a bachelor’s degree in business or computer information systems.

Of the 7,715 students enrolled in for-credit courses in fall 2017, almost 1,400 were majors in degree and certificate programs in the Division of Business & Computer Information. The division offers transfer degrees, and programs in business management with emphasis options in accounting technology, banking and finance, entrepreneurship, general business, retail, and transportation and logistics; programs in CAD, information management and applications; and programs in computer information systems with emphasis options in networking, database development, mobile application development, programming and application

development, and web development. The division’s programs are accredited through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the banking program has been named to the FDIC directory of community banking programs.

In February, 40 potential transfer students from NWACC visited the Sam M. Walton College of Business. A highlight was a questionand-answer session with a panel of students who had transferred from NWACC. Panelists said they felt highly prepared to transfer to WCOB and thanked NWACC for that quality preparation.

The division hosted several events as part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. More than 300 high school students came to campus to learn about technology, how to stay safe online, and cybersecurity careers. A Cyber Security Symposium on Oct. 25 featured presentations from industry and government professionals.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: BERNADET TE D. HOLT Starting college was a bit scary for Bernadette D. Holt. She was a divorced, single parent with limited resources. She found a supportive staff and faculty at NWACC and has excelled. “I didn’t have much to my name a brief time ago, but pursuing a college education has primed me to overcome and conquer things that are hard,” she said.

She has a 4.0 grade average and was a founding member of the Honors Student Association. She was named NWACC’s Academic All-Star. She is pursuing an Associate of Science in Business and plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

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NWACC YEAR-END REPORT

NWACC student painting in a studio class

COMMUNICATION & ARTS 1st AFA DEGREES AWARDED The Division of Communication and Arts collaborated across campus to host a successful arts festival and its faculty and students achieved national, regional, and state recognition in the 2017-18 academic year.

The Division of Communication and Arts played an integral role in planning, organizing, and executing the Spring Arts & Culture Festival 2018, which brought students and instructors from different disciplines together in conversation and exploration. The SACF planning committee achieved across-the-curriculum programming in 2018 with events that included a discussion of ethics hosted by NWACC business instructor Terry Phillips and featuring special guest speaker Dr. Kohl Gill, the screening of a documentary focused on women in technology, a women in construction panel, and a chef ’s panel hosted by Dr. Glenn Mack at Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food.

Faculty members in the division provide instruction in Academic Literacy, Art History, Art, Communications, Creative Writing, English, French, German, Spanish, Humanities, Journalism, Music and Theatre. The division is the second largest at NWACC and taught 6,878 of 10,760 enrollments in the top five classes most needed at the college. It provides instruction for degree-seeking students pursuing Associate of Arts, Associate of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences (non-STEM), and Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design degrees. More recently, an Associate of Fine Arts degree has been approved and implemented, and students are now enrolled in A.F.A. degree programs in theatre, visual arts, creative writing and music. The first A.F.A. degrees were awarded in May in theatre and visual arts (four semesters after the degree was approved).

Ashley Edwards, the division’s coordinator of theatre, published her poem “Centre,” which was included in the 2017 edition of the Tule Review, a publication from the Sacramento Poetry Center. Ryan Cockerham of the music faculty revived the orchestral works of American composer Florence Price and conducted recording sessions that were released on CD in early 2018 and reviewed in New Yorker magazine. The Eagle View student newspaper and its staff received 12 awards from the Arkansas College Media Association. The Academic Literacy English department offers collaborative college preparation boot camps with high schools across the region and was one of the first college departments in the state to successfully scale co-requisite best practices for gateway English classes.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: VERONICA RODRIGUEZ JONES Veronica Rodriguez Jones was a nontraditional student at NWACC who wanted to pursue a degree to improve the quality of life for her family. NWACC was the right fit.

“As a non-traditional student at a smaller college, you’re able to connect with your professors on a different level,” she said.

Veronica earned an A.A.S. degree in graphic design in 2015, and now, she’s making a difference in the lives of others.

Veronica is the immigrant family outreach coordinator for the Arkansas Support Network. She was named the 2018 recipient of the Dick Trammel Outstanding Alumni Award. Veronica is continuing her education online at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

1173 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A.A.S. DEGREE PROGRAMS IN FALL 2017 2017–2018

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Brightwater Graduates

Brightwater and Cobblestone Farms on-site Greenhouse ribbon-cut ting

Dena Stone

WORKFORCE/BRIGHTWATER PROGRAMS MARK MILESTONES Donning hard hats from their new employers along with graduation regalia, NWACC’s first class in the Associate of Applied Science Construction Technology program graduated in May. Likewise, Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food graduated its first set of students who had completed all of their studies at the 801 SE 8th Street location in Bentonville.

The construction technology program, which began in 2016, saw enrollment exceed 70 this year. Employers from throughout the industry have provided scholarships to support students. Its first graduating class included NWACC employee Dena Stone.

Construction technology is just one of the high growth areas in the Building Sciences area of Workforce Development. The apprenticeship trades program saw enrollment exceed 200 for the first time in school history. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Regional Implementation Grant in Construction Pathways worked with 22 school districts and issued over 2600 OSHA 10 credentials to high school students in our service area.

The apprenticeship trades programs were approved for Certificates of Proficiency by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and apprenticeship completers walked at commencement for the first time in school history. The legislature approved plans for the Integrated Design Lab, and groundbreaking is scheduled July 20.

With a focus on diversity, the Building Sciences program hosted a “Women in Construction” panel for the Spring Arts & Culture Festival, and the panel featured students, teachers and advisers. The program also hosted “Women in Construction Day” for the Rogers school district, and over 200 girls attended.

The “Building Northwest Arkansas” partnership with Lowe’s stores 12

NWACC YEAR-END REPORT

launched on June 1. The NWACC mobile construction lab will be at different Lowe’s locations in the region through mid-August.

Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food uniquely approaches the culinary world with a focus on three main areas: food as art, food as wellness, and food as business. In 2017-18, Brightwater encountered many firsts. In addition to graduating the first class of 37 students, Brightwater: • Partnered with the Cobblestone Project to incorporate a green house, garden plots, and a composter. This initiative challenges students to think about food waste from every aspect of the production and cooking process.

• Gained national appeal by strategically aligning itself with top culinary influencers: Crescent Dragonwagon, Liz Williams, Chef Bill Kim, Chef Barton Seaver, Chef Chad Sarno, and butcher Adam Danforth.

• Played host to national and local events: World Food Championship, BITE: Taste of NWA, Bentonville Film Festival, Roots Food & Music Festival, and two National Restaurant Association Education Foundation Summer Institutes.

• Provided real-life experience in developing and implementing a food service concept as Brightwater’s food truck took to the streets of northwest Arkansas.

Moving forward, it is our goal to create “Conscious Culinarians,” who, after their time at Brightwater, have new appreciation for each step and all processes of the food system. We also seek to cultivate thought-leaders in the areas of culinary nutrition, food entrepreneurship, food waste and recovery, whole animal butchery and academic innovation.

Cassie Riddick and her daughter

SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL CAST PROGRAM APPROVED Life circumstances interrupted Cassie Riddick’s college education. When she was considering returning to college classes, the single mom began to explore NWACC’s Paralegal Studies program.

“I had been speaking with my family about going back to school,” she said. “We decided that NWACC would be great because I love the career pathway that they have. NWACC is one of the only colleges around that has a paralegal program that’s certified by the American Bar Association.” She enrolled and started her journey. She spoke at the NWACC Foundation’s Plant-A-Seed fundraising event.

Cassie’s not alone in seeing the Associate of Applied Science degree program as a good pathway to a career. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Other Associate of Applied Science degree and certificate options at NWACC include Criminal Justice and Early Childhood Education. The college offers an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in Global Studies. Recently, the college also added an Associate of Arts degree option with an emphasis in Child Advocacy Studies. The Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) program at NorthWest Arkansas Community College received program approval from the Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center in April.

NWACC is the first community college in the United States to receive this distinction.

The college had a record number of graduates in CAST in May. In addition to those degrees, the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences also provides a wide variety of general education and transfer courses in such areas as anthropology, history, philosophy, psychology, social work, political science, sociology, fitness, and health and safety. The division also coordinates club sports.

The college hosts the annual Region 10 National History Day contest, and NWACC’s Dr. Jami Forrester is the regional coordinator. This year, over 5,000 junior high and high school students participated in school and regional events. Students advanced to the state competition, where 31 students received awards that qualified them to advance to the National History Day competition June 10-14 at the University of Maryland.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: LETRESA SWEETSER Letresa Sweetser talked with a child forensic interviewer at a barbecue, and the conversation changed her life. The Rogers mom followed up with the interviewer to better understand the child advocacy profession.

After learning more, Sweetser decided she wanted to make a difference for children, and she chose to pursue a certificate in child advocacy studies.

At NWACC, her teachers were professionals in the field. “I was so glued to everything they said. The way they presented information was in giving real accounts of life moments. That was so impactful.”

She interned with the Melba Shewmaker National Child Protection Training Center and volunteered at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County as part of her service learning activities. “That was motivational and life-changing,” she says of her experiences with CAC. She’s now the parttime office coordinator for the nonprofit organization.

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NWACC Adult Education graduates

ADULT EDUCATION NWACC STUDENT HAS TOP SCORE NWACC’s Adult Education Program serves roughly 1,800 to 2,000 learners annually with programs in Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, and Adult Secondary Education. A total of 193 GEDs were awarded through NWACC’s program in the 2016-17 academic year.

The Adult Education Program’s students have earned statewide and national accomplishments. Abbey Surom, a February 2017 graduate of NWACC Adult Education, was honored in early May for having earned the top score on the GED test in 2017. Surom is a current student at NWACC. Zowe Decator, an alumna of the NWACC program, was named the 2017 recipient of the Luther H. Black Adult Education Scholarship in October at the Arkansas Association of Continuing and Adult Education Conference.

The scholarship honors Dr. Luther H. Black, the “father of adult education” for his years of dedicated service to Arkansas Adult

Education. The scholarship was established to recognize an Arkansas High School Diploma (GED) graduate who demonstrates outstanding leadership, citizenship, and professional promise. At the same state conference, Viktoria Eldridge was honored as the 2017 Outstanding Adult Education Teacher of the Year. Eldridge has been teaching in NWACC’s program for 5 1⁄2 years. She has worked in education since 1992 and currently teaches students who are 16 and 17 years of age and pursuing a GED before they begin college classes.

Instructors in Adult Education nominated 45 adult students for national honor society membership in spring 2018. The National Adult Education Honor Society is a national honors organization for adult learners. The organization was founded in Kentucky in 1991 to recognize the sacrifices and efforts of the adult students, and it has since grown nationwide.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: RONALDO HERNANDEZ Ronaldo Hernandez had been out of school for a while.

His wife, Kaylie, told him about the GED program at NWACC, and he decided to check it out. Faculty and staff were supportive. “They walked me through the program and gave me the push I needed,” he said. “Other students helped motivate me, too, and my family.”

Hernandez completed his GED in March and participated in commencement May 19. He received a scholarship to attend classes at NWACC and recently began studies toward an associate degree. “It was really helpful to come to such a supportive place,” he said.

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NWACC YEAR-END REPORT

Guests enjoy a chef prepared dinner at the Plant-A-Seed fundraiser

Attendees enjoy conversation and creative libations at this year’s Plant-A-Seed reception

NWACC FOUNDATION PLANT-A-SEED FUNDRAISER On April 27, the NWACC Foundation hosted its annual Plant-A-Seed fundraiser at the new culinary division, Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food. Guests experienced a fabulous chef prepared dinner and creative libations, enjoyed entertainment by Hogtown Hot Club and heard from student speaker Cassie Riddick about the importance of scholarships for NWACC students. An estimated 250 people attended the event, proceeds of which benefited the NWACC Foundation for scholarships and college programs.

Generous support from donors allowed the Foundation to award over $320,000 in scholarship funds during the 2017-18 academic year, which equated to over 357 individual scholarships. Through this annual fundraiser, almost $400,000 in general scholarships has been awarded over the past 5 years.

SCHOL ARSHIP SPOTLIGHT The Lucas Hennigan Endowed Scholarship for Culinary Arts & Innovation was established in early 2018 by Stephen Hennigan and Cheryl Gilbert in memory of their son, Luke, with a generous $10,000 contribution to the NWACC Foundation. Luke passed away unexpectedly in 2017 at 30 years old and his family wanted to honor his love of food and culinary arts by helping students pursuing the same path.

After graduating from the French Culinary Institute in 2008, Luke worked in the restaurant industry and most recently was a Certified Research Chef at Tyson Foods.

Luke’s family and friends continue to contribute to this endowment to grow the fund and provide a lasting legacy in his name. The endowment will provide scholarships to NWACC students who have a passion and enthusiasm for innovation in the food service industry and are pursuing an A.A.S. degree in Food Studies at Brightwater. Those wishing to contribute to this fund in Luke’s memory should contact the NWACC Foundation.

To make a contribution or for more information on how you can support students as they pursue their career and educational goals, call us at 479.619.4184 or visit www.nwaccfoundation.org

IN MEMORIAM: EVALENA MAYO EvaLena Mayo, a founding member of the NWACC Board of Trustees, passed away April 24, 2018, only eight days af ter the death of her husband, Benjamin M. Mayo.

EvaLena graduated early from Springdale High School as valedictorian and enrolled in the University of Arkansas the following fall. Her studies were put on hold, though, by her marriage to Ben. When they started their family, she stayed at home with the children, and she finished her bachelor’s degree at John Brown University in 1970.

She taught math and physics at Bentonville High School from 1970 to 1984 and also taught for NorthArk College when that institution offered classes in NWA. When she was approached by Dr. Don White about the possibility of opening a community college to serve the region, she eagerly joined in those efforts. She was presented with an Honorary Associate Degree of Educational Service in 2014.

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