ACC Connections June 2026

ACC CONNECTIONS JUNE 2026

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ACC

ACC WELCOMES CHLOE SMITH

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

NGA WORKFORCE PELL READINESS ACADEMY IMPLEMENTATION LAB

ACC's Executive Director, Dr. Collin Callaway (left), attended the National Governors Association's Workforce Pell Implementation Readiness Lab in Washington, D.C., alongside Dr. Tina Moore (middle) and Mason Campbell (right) from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE). The multi-state network brought together national experts and federal partners to support collaboration, problem-solving, and strategic planning around implementation of Workforce Pell. The 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.

CALLAWAY PRESENTS AT NATIONAL PARK COLLEGE BOARD RETREAT

Dr. Callaway spoke at the National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees Retreat last month. She discussed several trends and issues impacting community colleges including concurrent credit, alternative pathways to degrees, reduced-credit bachelor's degrees, and mergers and system alignment.

CALLAWAY AND WATERS APPOINTED TO LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES

Act 145 of 2025 requires the completion of a legislative study of workforce and social services reform by the Hospital, Medicaid, and Developmental Disabilities Study Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council. Dr. Collin Callaway and ACC's Director of Workforce Initiatives, Kyla Waters, were selected by subcommittee chairs Senator English and Representative Bentley to serve on workgroups tasked with developing recommendations for an integrated workforce and social services system in Arkansas, also known as the One-Door model. Dr. Callaway will chair the Infrastructure workgroup, and Waters will serve as a voting member of the Business Services workgroup.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTED

Under the leadership of NorthWest Arkansas Community College, a statewide consortium of 20 community colleges requested a combined $8.7 million from the US Department of Labor's Strengthening Community Colleges grant. If funded, the project will support Workforce Pell implementation with a focus on advanced manufacturing and healthcare sectors. The consortium identified 47 Workforce Pell-aligned programs to develop over the course of the project, 25 employer partners, and 3 state agency partners representing workforce, data, and education. If funded, ACC will serve as the state coordinator for this project.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MEMBER COLLEGES

O'NEAL SELECTED AS NEXT CHANCELLOR OF UAEACC

The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees has announced that Adam O'Neal has been selected to serve as the next chancellor of the University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College. Dr. O'Neal is a career educator with more than 20 years of experience. He is currently the Vice Chancellor for Student Services and will officially take over as Chancellor on July 1, 2026. Congratulations, Dr. O'Neal.

NORTH ARKANSAS COLLEGE BECOMES UA NORTHARK

North Arkansas College has completed its merger with the University of Arkansas System and is now officially UA Northark (formally, North Arkansas College of the University of Arkansas).

UAPTC PROJECT LIFT ANNOUNCEMENT

Kyla Waters (left) and Kristen Smith (right) 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.

UPCOMING ACC EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

June 10-11: ACC Marketing & Advancement Retreat (ACC Office)
June 12: All ACC Award Nominations Due
June 15: Mid-Level Manager & Professional Skills Workshops (ACC Office)
July 1: Conference Registration Opens

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