ACC HOSTS 2026 STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY | | Students and chaperones from community colleges across the state met in Little Rock to learn about the Arkansas legislative process. Participants met at the ASU System Office where they learned how legislation is passed and how to be a good advocate. Students also met their counterparts from other colleges and worked together on activities such as writing an email to their legislator, and presenting an idea for a bill to improve higher education. Guest speaker Senator Jamie Scott spoke about her journey to become a legislator and her experiences in office. On the second day, students toured the Arkansas State Capitol where they were recognized on the Senate floor; attended a committee meeting; met Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders; and spoke with several of their local legislators. | | ACC/ADHE PARTNER TO LEAD MICROCREDENTIALS SUMMIT | |
Kyla Waters, ACC Director of Workforce Initiatives, and Dr. Tina Moore, ADHE Director of Workforce Development, hosted Pathway to Skills: Microcredentials as Workforce Solutions to highlight the work being done in Arkansas around the development of microcredentials. Community college and workforce development board leaders attended. Kyla also facilitated a panel of leaders representing colleges who are participating in the Community College Growth Engine work, sponsored by the Education Design Lab. The panel shared lessons learned and best practices for creating microcredentials.
Pictured above: Kyla Waters (ACC); Jack Hill (UAEACC); Kyle Carpenter (UARM); Starlinda Sanders (NWACC);Jennifer Schroeder (SouthArk); Erin Brikley (ATU-Ozark); and Charles Walker (ASUN).
| ACC HOSTS ANNUAL WORKFORCE SUMMIT | |
Community college workforce staff gathered for the annual ACC Workforce Summit. Attendees heard updates to scholarship and funding initiatives contained in the ACCESS Act; an overview of the Workforce Pell work in Arkansas; and highlights from America’s Talent Strategy, presented by Dr. Tina Moore, ADHE Director of Workforce Development. Kate Kinder, Executive Director of the National Council on Workforce Education (NCWE), shared best practices and work from community colleges around the country including strategies for student supportive services, employer engagement frameworks, microcredentials, and workforce ecosystem alignment.
Pictured above: Kyle Carpenter (UARM); Priscilla Stillwell (BRTC); Bill Ritter (NPC); and Angela Kremers (UAPTC).
| CLASS 18 COMPLETES ACC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | |
The ACC Leadership Institute Class of 2026 met at the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain for its final session. The class participated in a mid-level manager workshop, spoke with a panel of Chancellors, and prepared a personal leadership development plan. Thank you to UARM for hosting, and thank you to Dr. Philip Wilson (UARM), Dr. Steve Cole (UA Cossatot), and Dr. Sandra Massey (retired chancellor) for serving on the panel. A graduation reception will be held on Monday, October 12, at the ACC Conference in Hot Springs. All current and former ACCLI graduates are invited to attend.
Pictured above, front: Katy Garcia (UA Cossatot); Jernal Woods (ANC); Julie Doner (NWACC); Kayla Holland (PCCUA); Marla Bush (UAHT); Brittany Milligan (BRTC); Erin Kerley Mathews (BRTC). Middle: Allyson Miller (UARM); Aly Bramblett (ASUMH); Dennis Guzman (UA Cossatot); Mary Kate Sumner (SouthArk); Courtney Kline (SEARK); Jeannette Youngblood (UACCB); Tiffney Miller (Ozarka). Back: Bob Coutch (NWACC); Scott Sikora (ASUTR); Jeremy Isome (UAPTC); Lindsey Drewry (UARM); Monica Mobley (ASUN); Bridget Stewart (ASUMS); Dustin Kemper (ANC); Rickey Rogers (SAUT); Tonja Fillippino (UACCM); Shelby Beck (UACCM); Kayla Sapkota (ASUB); Teri Roper (ASUB); Jerry Stegall (UAEACC); Paul Edmondson (UANorthArk); and Lisa Griffin (UAEACC).
| ACC JOINS COLLEAGUES AT AACC CONFERENCE | |
Arkansas community college leaders were in Seattle for the American Association of Community Colleges annual conference. This event brings together community college leaders from across the nation to learn from each other and share best practices. Standout sessions included :the AACC update on Workforce Pell; Yavapai College’s session on the nation’s first three-year baccalaureate degree; and Ozarka College’s session on Concurrent Enrollment.
Pictured above, front: Irina Reynolds (ASUN); Dr. Collin Callaway (ACC); Dr. Typhanie Myers (ASUN); Dr. Jennifer Methvin (ASUB); and Roger Methvin. Back: Dr. Bentley Wallace (ASUMH); Dr. Josh Wilson (Ozarka); and Dr. Chris Lorch (Ozarka).
| CONFERENCE BOARD MEETS IN HOT SPRINGS | |
Members of the ACC Conference Board met in Hot Springs to continue planning the 2026 annual conference while touring the conference convention center. Although weather kept some members from attending, the board made significant progress on plans to improve the flow and operation of the upcoming conference. The ACC Conference Board is made up of representatives from member colleges. Conference registration opens July 1.
Pictured above, front: Amber Roth (NWACC), Brittany Milligan (BRTC), Lauren Bryan (UACCM). Middle: Kim Wilson (Ozarka), Wanda Grimmett (SEARK), Laura Knox (ASUMH), Logan Oliver (UAPTC). Back: Donna Kay (NPC), Charley Hankins (SouthArk), and Marsha Bryant (ASUMS).
| FINANCE TRAINING SERIES WRAPS UP | ACC hosted its fourth and final training in a series designed specifically for new and emerging leaders in community college finance. ADHE joined us to review processes for submitting the annual Operating Budget Report. Thank you to Nick Fuller, Assistant Director of Finance for ADHE, for his leadership in this series. | | WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MEMBER COLLEGES | ROOK ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE, ASUTR ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CHANCELLOR | |
Chancellor Steve Rook has accepted a new role as President at Connors State College. Congratulations to Dr. Rook, you will be missed! Following Dr. Rook's announcement, the Arkansas State University System announced that Shane Broadway will serve as interim chancellor. Mr. Broadway has represented community colleges for many years as the VP of Government Relations for the ASU System, and he has long been a partner to ACC. Welcome, Shane! We're honored to have you.
Picture above: Dr. Steve Rook and Shane Broadway.
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| MEMBERS PLAN UPCOMING OPEN ARKANSAS 2026 CONFERENCE | |
The Open Arkansas Conference brings together educators, librarians, instructional designers, and partners to explore how OER and open pedagogy can grow from early experiments into sustainable, large-scale practice. Community college representatives from Arkansas State University - Beebe, Arkansas State University - Mountain Home, NorthWest Arkansas Community College, the University of Arkansas Cossatot, and the University of Arkansas North Arkansas College serve on the 2026 conference planning committee. Please save-the-date for the 2026 conference to be held Friday, October 16, at the University of Arkansas Little Rock.
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| UPCOMING ACC EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS | | CONFERENCE CALL FOR PRESENTERS | Last call to LEVEL UP to presenter status at the 2026 ACC Conference. Click HERE or scan the QR code and submit your proposal by close of business on Friday, May 1. | | |
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