ACC UPDATES OCTOBER 2025

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ACC

VISITS TO ANC, ASUMH, NWACC, UACCM & UAEACC

Dr. Callaway continues to make her way across the state to visit ACC member colleges. This month, Dr. Callaway visited Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, NorthWest Arkansas Community College, University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, and University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College.

ADULT EDUCATION TALENT PIPELINE MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION

Kyla Waters attended a meeting hosted by the Division of Adult Education. She presented information about the Talent Pipeline Management strategies for employer engagement and discussed the role of Adult Education providers in the overall workforce ecosystem. The Division of Adult Education plans to host a series of meetings for Adult Education staff over the next year to take a deeper dive into the TPM framework.

FINAL FALL 2025 CONFERENCE BOARD MEETING

The ACC Conference Board met in Little Rock for its final planning meeting before the conference in Hot Springs on October 12-14, 2025. Board members have been meeting monthly since December to prepare for the event. Dr. Tamara St. Marthe (National Park College) served as the 2025 Conference Board President; Heather Funk (Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas) served as Program Committee Chair; Amber Childers (Arkansas State University Three Rivers) oversaw the Marketing Committee; and Bobby Keeton (University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton) led the Entertainment Committee.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT AR COMMUNITY COLLEGES

ANC, ASUN & ASTATE PARTNER TO BUILD CAREER READINESS CENTER

The ASU System Board of Trustees recently approved the first phase of the $10.5-million, 20,000 square-foot Career Readiness Education & Skills Training (CREST) Center to enhance workforce training in Northeast Arkansas. The CREST Center, designed to become a 70,000-square-foot facility over three phases, received a $7.5 million grant from the Arkansas Department of Commerce Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) program. Located at A-State, the center is a partnership with Arkansas Northeastern College and Arkansas State University-Newport to provide job-ready talent and credentials in advanced automated manufacturing, steel manufacturing, and food processing. READ MORE

ASUMS NAMED 2025 GREAT COLLEGE TO WORK FOR BY THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Arkansas State University Mid-South was recognized by the Chronicle of Higher Education as a 2025 Great College to Work For. ASUMS was recognized in five categories, and also made the Honor Roll. Congratulations, ASUMS! READ MORE

PCCUA NAMED AMONG 10 BEST COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE U.S. BY MSN

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas earned national recognition, placing fifth on SmartAsset's list of the 50 Best Community Colleges in America based on tuition affordability, student-faculty ratio, and retention rates. This ranking puts PCCUA among the top 10 community colleges in the nation. Congratulations, PCCUA! READ MORE

UPCOMING ACC EVENTS

ANNUAL ACC CONFERENCE STARTS OCTOBER 12

The 2025 ACC Conference kicks off on Sunday, October 12, at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Attendee check-in begins at 2pm, followed by the Opening Ceremony & Welcome Reception at 5pm. Wear your school logo and dress casually - there will be a spirit award for the school with the most attendees, and we will be giving out (4) $200 Visa Gift Cards.

Please check your spam folder for emails from ksmith@arkansascc.org to ensure you are receiving conference notifications.

Registration is CLOSED and the deadline to cancel for a refund has passed. Any substitutions beyond this point must be made in person at attendee check-in. Extra meal tickets can be purchased on site - we will only accept payment by check or credit card.

For the latest conference information, download the Cvent app and search "2025 ACC Conference" or scan the QR code below. You can also review the conference website HERE. See you in Hot Springs!

NATURAL STATE SHOWCASE

ACC is sponsoring the hospitality suite for umpires and staff and the upcoming Natural State Showcase. Come support your Arkansas community college baseball teams!

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS & MID-LEVEL MANAGER TRAINING

ACC is developing custom curriculum to address our institutions' need for professional skills and mid-level manager training. ACC will deliver this curriculum to its members through a "Train-the-Trainer" model.

On Monday, October 13 @ 10:00 am, ACC will pilot the trainings at the 2025 Annual Conference. All conference attendees are welcome to participate, and we encourage each institution to send representatives who will serve as the facilitators on their campus (must be registered for the conference to attend). The pilot sessions will not be recorded.

On November 11 @ 10:00 am, ACC will host a virtual Professional Skills Facilitator Training. On November 18 @ 10:00 am, ACC will host a virtual Mid-Level Managers Facilitator Training. The virtual Facilitator Training Sessions will be recorded. Questions? Contact ksmith@arkansascc.org.

UPCOMING CAMPUS VISITS

Dr. Callaway has the following campus visits planned:

• October 10: University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College
• October 28: Southeast Arkansas Community College
• November 18: South Arkansas College

Want to see past ACC Updates? Click HERE.

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