ACC CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2026

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ACC

ACC WELCOMES NEW ADMIN SUPPORT SPECIALIST

We are excited to welcome to the team Bailey Redden. As the Administrative Support Specialist at Arkansas Community Colleges, Bailey provides support for the organization's daily operations, assisting with meetings, events, and office coordination. She is passionate about creating organized, efficient processes and supporting the collaborative work that helps ACC serve its member colleges and communities across Arkansas. Before joining ACC, Bailey spent five years in administrative support, communications, and marketing where she gained experience in scheduling, project coordination, event planning, and organizational communication. Bailey earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Ouachita Baptist University.

ACC HOSTS CAO/CSAO MEETING

ACC hosted a hybrid meeting for Chief Academic Officers and Chief Student Affairs Officers, with attendees joining in person and via Microsoft Teams, to discuss workforce development updates, concurrent credit, and other issues impacting Arkansas colleges. The group also shared ideas and talking points ahead of the upcoming legislative session.

RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION GRANT

ACC has submitted its Rural Health Workforce (RHWF) grant proposal to strengthen the healthcare workforce across 54 rural Arkansas counties. If funded, the project will equip 20 ACC member institutions with modern simulation labs and enhance faculty training to improve clinical instruction. The initiative will support high-demand healthcare programs, including Nursing, Emergency Medical Services, and Medical Technician fields. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the development of this proposal.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MEMBER COLLEGES

JACKSON APPOINTED TO ACC & ACCT COMMITTEES

ACC congratulates Dr. Tyrone Jackson of Southeast Arkansas College (SEARK) on his election to the ACC Executive Committee and his recent election to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Awards Committee.

Dr. Jackson was elected to the ACC Executive Committee during the Association's July Board meeting, held as part of the annual Board Retreat in Little Rock. In this leadership role, he will help guide ACC's strategic direction and advance its mission.

The two-day retreat included discussions on workforce development, professional development, and the ACC FY27 Work Plan. Board members also heard from Brigadier General Chad Bridges, The Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard, about expanding partnerships with Arkansas's community colleges to strengthen skills training.

ACC congratulates Dr. Jackson on these well-deserved leadership roles and looks forward to his continued service to Arkansas's community colleges and the broader community college sector.

ASU-BEEBE AND ANC CONTINUE AS METALLICA SCHOLARS

Two Arkansas Community Colleges members—Arkansas State University-Beebe and Arkansas Northeastern College—have been selected to participate in the nationally recognized Metallica Scholars Initiative, which supports workforce and skilled trades education through Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation. As part of the initiative's eighth year, more than $3.3 million in funding will support 93 colleges across the United States and, for the first time, the United Kingdom. The continued inclusion of both Arkansas institutions reflects the strength of the state's community colleges in preparing students for high-demand careers through high-quality career and technical education programs.

ASUN ALUM MAKES HEADLINES

A recent ASU-Newport graduate is receiving national attention after an act of kindness in Jonesboro captured the hearts of people across the country.

Christopher Hellenthal, who earned his Associate of Science in Natural Sciences from ASU-Newport this past May, was the person behind the Spider-Man suit in a viral video showing him helping a man in a wheelchair safely cross a busy intersection.

Following the widespread attention surrounding his actions, Christopher was invited to attend the premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in Los Angeles, where he was recognized for the kindness and compassion that made him stand out.

ASU-BEEBE RECEIVES CLEP HONORS AWARD

The Arkansas State University-Beebe Little Rock Air Force Base Testing Center has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Military CLEP Test Centers in the nation.

The center received this national honor at the 2026 CLEP Honors Reception in San Antonio, Texas, on June 10. The award recognizes the ASU-Beebe LRAFB Testing Center for administering one of the highest numbers of DANTES-funded College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, helping service members earn college credit and advance their educational and career goals.

“This national recognition underscores ASU-Beebe’s ongoing dedication to supporting service members and increasing access to higher education,” said Dr. Jennifer Methvin, chancellor at ASU-Beebe.

THE FARM AT UACCB

Dr. Brian Shonk and his team from UACCB presented to the Arkansas Career Education and Workforce Development Board on June 9 highlighting The FARM project. The FARM at UACCB will serve as the regional hub for agricultural education, innovation, and workforce development in North Centra Arkansas providing comprehensive, hands-on training — from traditional farming and ranching practices to technology-enabled precision agriculture — through accessible certificates, degrees, and community programs. By serving students, current farmers/ranchers, K-12 learners, and the broader community, The FARM strengthens student access and opportunity, replenishes agricultural knowledge, bolsters food security and resilience, improves public health, and drives economic prosperity across the region.

TOMPKINS APPOINTED TO ARE-ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Congratulations to Dr. Ricky Tompkins, University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, on his appointment to the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON) Board of Directors.

2026 ACC CONFERENCE - OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARDS

Awardees are pictured from left to right in alphabetical order by college name.

The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes graduates from Arkansas's community colleges who have distinguished themselves through professional achievement, leadership, and service to their communities. Nominated by their colleges, these honorees represent the life-changing impact of community colleges across our state.

Introducing the 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients!

Melissa Arledge - Arkansas Northeastern College

Debbie Elgen - Arkansas State University - Beebe

Johnny Washington - Arkansas State University Mid-South

Brooke Grissum - Arkansas State University – Mountain Home

Danica Brown - Arkansas State University – Newport

Eric Gaither - Arkansas State University Three Rivers

Emma Bergman - Black River Technical College

Jason Kuhn - National Park College

Kimberly Kay - NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Courtney Selph - Ozarka College

Major John Smith - Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas

Miranda Bryan - South Arkansas College

Dorothy Ritchie - Southeast Arkansas College

Adam Bailey - Southern Arkansas University Tech

Renae Mize-Douillard - University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton

Mason Sillivan - University of Arkansas Cossatot

Dorene Mosier - University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana

Jennifer Leatherman - University of Arkansas Northark

Jennifer Maune - University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College

Nicholas Dunn - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain

UPCOMING ACC EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

• August 20: ACC Workforce Staff Meeting
• September 15: Last day to Register for the 2026 ACC Conference
• September 25: Conference Board Meeting

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