ACC

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.

05/01/2026

As National Apprenticeship Week winds down, we’re highlighting another program preparing Arkansas students for careers in the skilled trades.

At South Arkansas College, Electrical and Plumbing Apprenticeships combine classroom learning with real, on-the-job experience through partnerships with local employers like Norris Mechanical, Anytime Plumbing, Empire Electric, and more.

These programs have already helped more than 70 students complete their training, and current apprentices are on track to earn state licensing and begin careers in high-demand fields.

Graduates are stepping into jobs earning between $45,000 and $62,000 per year, with opportunities to grow and advance.

05/01/2026

Members of the ACC Conference Board recently came together to continue planning the 2026 ACC Conference...and while a little weather drama kept a few from attending, it didn’t hinder the creativity.

Our annual conference is designed by community college professionals, for community college professionals. From improving event flow to adding fun, new experiences for attendees, this group is collaborating to make 2026 the best conference yet!

📅 Mark your calendars: Conference registration opens July 1!

📸 Front row (L to R): Amber Roth (NWACC), Brittany Milligan (BRTC), Lauren Bryan (UACCM), Kim Wilson (Ozarka), Wanda Grimmett (SEARK), Laura Knox (ASUMH), Logan Oliver (UAPTC), Donna Kay (NPC), Charley Hankins (SouthArk), Marsha Bryant (ASUMS)

04/30/2026

ACC Director of Workforce Initiatives Kyla Waters, Director of the BRIDGE-AR Grant Jason McFadden, and Assistant Director of the BRIDGE-AR Grant Nicole Gray joined the SEARK BRIDGE-AR grant team to strengthen strategies that support nursing students from enrollment to completion.

The group focused on practical, student-centered solutions such as expanding access to basic needs resources, enhancing success navigation services, and creating clear, connected academic pathways.

This work reflects Arkansas Community Colleges’ commitment to empowering students through accessible, high-quality education aligned with workforce needs, especially in critical fields like healthcare.

ACC is proud to support student success that meets the growing demand for healthcare professionals across Arkansas.

📸 : Amber Brannan, Tina Pierce, Patricia Washington, Nicole Gray, Donna Hunnicutt, Angela Sites, Kyla Waters, and Jason McFadden

04/30/2026

highlight:

At National Park College, students can train in Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, and even culinary arts through the Chef de Partie Apprenticeship program.

With 145 students enrolled and around 65 employer partners, these programs give students valuable, hands-on experience while connecting them to job opportunities.

Graduates are stepping into careers earning an average of $20 per hour and building skills that are in demand across Arkansas.

We are proud to support our colleges investing in the next generation of great chefs, plumbers, HVAC service people and electricians!