Nontraditional Student Faces Lay-off, Success at UA Community College at Morrilton

Alice Dixon Teaching at UACCM

More than 10 years ago, Levi Strauss & Co. notified the public that they were shutting the doors to their factory in Morrilton, which had been in operation for more than 50 years and carried more than 600 on its payroll. The town was in turmoil, with nearly half of the working population unemployed overnight.

Alice Dixon was among the newly unemployed, and she didn’t know where to begin. Fortunately, she learned that government scholarships and unemployment benefits could help cover the cost of re-educating dislocated workers. With the UA Community College at Morrilton (UACCM- then known as Petit Jean College) just across town, her choice seemed easy. “I had gotten married in high school and never really had the opportunity to continue my education until I lost my job at Levi,” she said.

Alice pursued an associate’s degree in retail marketing at UACCM.  She excelled in her studies and completed her degree in 2001. Alice was recognized for her outstanding achievement by being named UACCM’s Academic All Star. As a result, she was awarded a scholarship to continue her studies at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. “At first I thought, I can’t just move away from my home,” she said. But after serious thought and the urging of one of her instructors, she did just that.

While working full-time, Alice studied human resource development and completed her bachelor’s degree in 2004.  She was working on her master’s degree when her husband suggested they move back to Morrilton. Since she was working on her degree on-line, they were able to move without disrupting her studies.  She completed her master’s degree in adult education in 2006.

Today, Alice teaches classes at UACCM, where she emphasizes to her students that they are all individuals. “Working at UACCM is my both my job and my hobby, and it’s a way to pay back the college for the great things I accomplished with the help of the faculty and staff. I was always treated with respect, and was never treated as a dislocated worker, but rather as a student and an individual,” she said. “The transition back to college was easier that I thought, even though I was not a traditional age college student.”

As for her days at Levi Strauss, she said, “I hate that so many people had to lose their jobs, but for me it was a blessing when the factory closed. It gave me the chance to go back to school.” She added that “age is not a factor and it is never too late to continue your education. An associate’s degree is about feeling good about oneself and accomplishing something.”

Alice says, “My degree from UACCM was a stepping stone for my future achievements. To me, it opened the door to my future and helped me show myself I was still capable of accomplishing something.”

Energy Technology a Top Priority for Two-Year Colleges

It is easy being green, and Arkansas two-year colleges are leading the way.  By creating new programs in energy technology, two-year colleges are training Arkansans for the “green economy.” 

In March 2010, the Arkansas Workforce Investment Board (with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) established the Arkansas Energy Sector Partnership to plan and implement a statewide workforce training strategy.  As a partner, the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC) will coordinate the development and deployment of two-year college energy training programs.  2,200 individuals will be trained for the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.

With support from other major federal grants, three of Arkansas’ two-year colleges each host a “Center of Excellence” for energy technology:

• In 2007, the Arkansas Delta Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development (with funding from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration) funded the Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy Technology Education at Phillips Community College of the UA.  The Center provides statewide support for renewable energy programs.
• In February 2010, the Arkansas Energy Office (with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) awarded grants to Northwest Arkansas Community College and Pulaski Technical College to establish a Building Training Center of Excellence on each campus.  Together, the Centers will provide training to as many as 600 Arkansans- in such areas as energy auditors, energy raters, weatherization technicians, and HVAC professionals.  The Centers will reach other parts of the state through partnerships with other community colleges providing training in rural areas using a mobile training lab.

New green jobs include renewable energy generation, environment protection, recycling and waste reduction, energy trading, and more.  In addition, two-year colleges are modifying existing training programs to increase and promote energy efficiency.  For example, transportation training now includes increasing efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of various modes of transportation.  Agriculture and forestry training now includes using natural pesticides and efficient land management.  Construction training now includes retrofitting residential and commercial buildings to be more energy efficient.

The future looks good for energy technology in Arkansas.  According to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, the number of new jobs between 2009 and 2012 are: 1) green construction- 2,418 jobs; 2) energy efficiency- 1,642 jobs; and 3) renewable energy generation- 650 jobs.  The total number of additional jobs is 5,164, including additional jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Arkansas Northeastern College Students Selected as Ambassadors to Japan 

Kyle Cassidy and Chelsea Pierce

Kyle Cassidy of Armorel and Chelsea Pierce of Kennett, have been selected as Arkansas Northeastern College’s 2010 Ambassadors to Japan.  ANC is able to host one of the most exciting travel opportunities available to students in this area.  The Student Ambassadors to Japan Program is open to ANC students meeting the criteria and allows them the opportunity to travel to Japan for two weeks during the summer for an all-expenses paid trip.

This program is made possible through the Yamato Kogyo Company of Japan, which has a joint venture with the Nucor Steel Company in the Nucor Yamato Steel Mill located in Blytheville.  According to ANC Dean for Development Rachel Gifford, Cassidy and Pierce were among good company as this year’s applicants were all excellent candidates.

 “Word has definitely spread about this wonderful program, and we have the difficult task of choosing from among many excellent candidates,” said Gifford.  “Kyle and Chelsea are outstanding students and we are glad to have them representing Arkansas Northeastern College.”

Chelsea is very excited about traveling to Japan this May.  “I have never imagined having the chance to travel to Japan.  I look forward to learning about the unique traditions of the Japanese people.  I am honored to have this wonderful opportunity with the Student Ambassador to Japan Program,” said Chelsea.

Kyle Cassidy also looks forward to the upcoming trip.  “I’m eager to travel to Japan and see what the Japanese society is like from an economical stand point.  Learning firsthand about the Japanese business philosophy may help me in future aspects of my career,” said Kyle.

According to Gifford, the travel program was born out of the Yamato Kogyo/ANC Foundation Scholarship Golf Tournament, which began in 1991.  “At that time, Mr. Hirokyui Inoue, President of Yamato Kogyo, wanted to do something in this area to show his appreciation for the people here.  In 1995, he invited students to visit Japan.  His purpose for such an invitation was to offer students here the opportunity to learn about the Japanese culture and bring that knowledge back to this area.  In turn, it also gave ANC students the chance to spread information about our culture to the Japanese people they visited.”

Both Chelsea and Kyle are excellent students who plan to continue their studies at ANC next year.  Chelsea plans to major in early childhood education.  Kyle plans to continue his studies toward a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Both students will have the experience of the Japanese culture this May.   During their two-week visit, they will stay in hotels, the Yamato Kogyo Dormitory, and the home of Yamato Kogyo employees—to experience the Japanese way of life.

The trip is generously paid for by the Yamato Kogyo Company with the ANC Foundation paying the students’ airfare.  Chelsea and Kyle will be visiting several cities in Japan such as Hemiji City, Osaka, and Tokyo.

Two-Year Colleges Develop Regional Partnerships to Promote Education and Workforce Development

Arkansas two-year college Presidents and Chancellors understand that “together is better” when it comes to improving a region.  Colleges in North Arkansas and in Southwest Arkansas recently established regional consortia to promote education and workforce development in their respective service areas.

The consortia will serve as tools for two-year colleges to collaborate on economic development and job creation approaches that are productive for their region.  It is intended that these partnerships will also enhance each region’s ability to compete and secure federal grant funding that will benefit the students, the communities they serve, and the regions as a whole. 

Ed Franklin, Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges, described the importance of these regional partnerships by saying, “This is another example of how Arkansas two-year colleges are working together to meet the economic development needs of the state.  By working together, these colleges will be able to identify educational strategies that will support the focused job development of the entire region.” 

The North Arkansas Two-Year College Consortium includes:

• Arkansas State University- Mountain Home
• Black River Technical College (Pocahontas)
• NorthWest Arkansas Community College (Bentonville)
• North Arkansas College (Harrison)
• Ozarka College (Melbourne)
• University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville

The Southwest Arkansas Community College Consortium includes:

• Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas (DeQueen)
• Rich Mountain Community College (Mena)
• South Arkansas Community College (El Dorado)
• Southern Arkansas University Tech (East Camden)
• University of Arkansas Community College at Hope