ACC

06/16/2026

Last week, we hosted a Marketing & Advancement Retreat in Little Rock for community college marketing and advancement professionals from across Arkansas. We gathered for two days of learning, collaboration, and professional development focused on strengthening communications and student engagement.

The retreat kicked off with Marc Goldberg of Skills Strategy Consulting, who led a workshop on the transformative power of student-centered storytelling. We also received updates from Alisha Lewis, Assistant Commissioner at the Arkansas Division of Higher Education, on best practices in public relations and communications.

Day two began with a workshop on the art and science of writing for community college marketing and advancement, led by Matthew Helmer of Donor Relations Group. In the afternoon, Emily Newlin of King Creative Marketing + Design shared strategies for using data and analytics to measure performance, demonstrate impact, and inform budget decisions.

The retreat concluded with an informal business meeting where we exchanged best practices, discussed common challenges, and strengthened connections with our peers serving community colleges across the state.

These opportunities to learn from one another and build our professional community are always invaluable. We're grateful for the collaboration, ideas, and relationships that emerged over the two days, and we're already looking forward to reconnecting at our annual conference this October.

📸 Photo 1: University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College's Tim Jones, Marlie Ball Davis, Shaylee Backus, Whitney Horton, Chris Blackall, and Laurie Ann Ross with ACC Intern Chloe Smith

📸 Photo 2: Skills Strategy Consulting Marc Goldberg interviewing ACC Intern Chloe Smith about her student experience at UA Pulaski Tech during his storytelling session.

06/02/2026

05/29/2026

More Arkansas high school students than ever are earning college credit before graduation, and that’s a good thing.

Concurrent enrollment has grown by more than 50% in the last five years, helping Arkansas students save money, enter the workforce faster, and build momentum toward a degree or credential.

But there’s a growing challenge that we need to talk about.

Community colleges are being asked to educate their fastest-growing student population without receiving enough funding to cover the actual cost of instruction. At some colleges, high school students now make up more than half of total enrollment.

That means community colleges are expanding opportunity while stretching already limited resources.

The answer isn’t to reduce access for students, but to build a funding model that reflects the real value of concurrent education and supports partnerships between the state, K-12 schools, and higher education.

Arkansas community colleges are proud to help students get ahead early. But long-term success requires long-term investment.

Read more here:

HOT SPRINGS -- A surge in high school students earning college credit is creating both opportunity and financial pressure for Arkansas' community colleges, Arkansas Community Colleges Executive Director Collin Callaway said.

05/28/2026

ACC's Kyla Waters joined BRIDGE-AR Grant Director Jason McFadden and Assistant Director Nicole Gray for a tour of the Goodwill Industries of Arkansas Headquarters. Edie Stewart, Senior Vice President and Chief Mission Officer for Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, Inc., shared the life-changing impact of Goodwill’s workforce and education initiatives.

From the EXCEL Center, a tuition-free adult high school with no-cost childcare, to the Academy’s industry credential programs and the Transitional Employment Opportunity program supporting workforce reentry after incarceration, these programs demonstrate the power of education, opportunity, and community investment working together.

ACC believes in empowering students through accessible, high-quality education that aligns with workforce needs while strengthening communities through partnerships that drive economic and social growth. Collaborations like these help create pathways to meaningful careers, second chances, and brighter futures across Arkansas.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Goodwill’s mission and the incredible impact being made every day!

📸: VP of Education Amanda Brogdon, EXCEL School Director Sharlee Crowson, Director of Career Services Lyndsey Moffett, Senior VP and Chief Mission Officer Edie Stewart, ACC Director of Workforce InitiativesKyla Waters, UAPTC Director of BRIDGE-AR Jason McFadden, UAPTC Assistant Director of BRIDGE-AR Nicole Gray tour the Excel Center at Arkansas Goodwill Headquarters.

05/26/2026

Please help us welcome ACC summer intern, Chloe Smith!

Chloe is a recent University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College graduate who will be transferring to University of Arkansas at Little Rock this fall. She is passionate about science, healthcare, and serving her community. During her internship at ACC, Chloe will gain hands-on experience in project and event coordination, build valuable professional skills, and connect with others who are dedicated to education and student success.

We’re so glad to have you on the team, Chloe! 🤗

05/20/2026

Across Arkansas, spring graduation marks more than the end of a semester. It marks the beginning of new opportunities for thousands of students, families, and communities.

This May, we celebrate every graduate of Arkansas’s community colleges, from students earning trade certificates and stepping directly into high-demand careers to those completing associate degrees and preparing to continue their journey toward a bachelor’s degree.

To the Class of 2026: your hard work, determination, and commitment inspire us all. Whether you are entering the workforce, transferring to a university, or continuing your education, Arkansas is stronger because of you.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Your future, and Arkansas’s future, is bright!

05/14/2026

Cheers to Arkansas nurses and the next generation of healthcare leaders! 🎉 Meet Aryel Larry, an excellent example of how the BRIDGE-AR grant is helping Arkansas community colleges prepare skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals.

Prior to entering and graduating from the Practical Nursing Program at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, Aryel worked at Bell Clinic as a certified medication assistant. Her professional experience helped her successfully navigate the Practical Nursing program while balancing her roles as a wife and mother of two young children. Following graduation, Aryel passed the NCLEX on her first attempt, proving her readiness to care for others as a nurse, and has been employed as a nurse at the Phillips County Jail since that time.

In late fall 2025, she reached out to PCCUA's Student Success Navigator to determine the best time to enter the Associate Degree in Nursing program. The Student Success Navigator position was established as part of PCCUA’s involvement in the BRIDGE-AR grant to provide comprehensive student support and improve pathways for career advancement in nursing and allied health programs.

This spring, with a new baby, Aryel entered the program prepared by her prior education and experience to succeed, completing the semester with distinction. She utilized numerous support services, including scholarship funding, tutoring, faculty-led test reviews, campus food pantry, and individual student success meetings, all of which supported her successful completion of the semester. We are excited to see Aryel continue to excel and achieve her nursing career goals while caring for her family. 👏

05/13/2026

ACC’s Collin Callaway joined Tina Moore and Mason Campbell from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education at the National Governors Association’s Workforce Pell Implementation Lab in Washington, D.C., last week.

The multi-state working session brought together national experts and federal partners to support collaboration, problem-solving, and strategic planning around implementation of Workforce Pell.

This new federal grant opportunity will expand access to short-term workforce training programs, including both college-credit and noncredit professional skills training, creating new pathways for Arkansas students to gain in-demand skills and advance their careers. What an incredible opportunity for Arkansas community college students!

05/12/2026

ACC's Kristen Smith and Kyla Waters attended a press event announcing Project LIFT (Lifting Individuals for Future Talent) - a partnership between University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College, the Little Rock Port Authority, and the Little Rock Regional Chamber to build a state-of-the-art Workforce Training Center near the Little Rock Port Authority, with completion anticipated in 2029. The project was made possible by congressional appropriations secured through U.S. Sen. John Boozman. The $20 million investment will address the skilled labor shortage by providing training in industrial manufacturing, welding, and high-voltage electrical skills to support growing logistics and manufacturing businesses.

What a powerful example of how Arkansas community colleges stand in the gap to provide accessible, high-quality education aligned with workforce needs!

📸 : Kyla and Kristen stand in front of the future home of the UA Pulaski Tech Workforce Training Center near the Little Rock Port Authority.

05/07/2026

Arkansas is getting national attention, ranking #4 in the U.S. for its talent pipeline - and are a big part of that story.

A recent report found that top states share one thing in common: strong alignment between education and industry, with community colleges playing a central role (shared below).

That is exactly what is happening across Arkansas. Community colleges are working directly with employers to create training programs that match real workforce needs. Students gain hands-on skills that lead to in-demand careers, while businesses gain a pipeline of qualified talent.

The result is more opportunity for students and stronger communities across our state.

Introducing the Area Development State Talent Pipeline Ranking.