Two-year colleges the focus of new legislative caucus

Two-year colleges are now a major focus of the Arkansas state legislature.  Representative Tiffany Rogers of Stuttgart, also an employee of Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, started the caucus as a way for her fellow legislators to learn about the value of two-year colleges and the unique issues they face.

"At a time when higher education issues are in the forefront, it is increasingly important to put our message out there, to make people more aware of our mission and to tell our story,” said Representative Rogers.  “While we offer academic general education courses and degree programs, we also do a wealth of business and industry training, high school programs and change of career educational opportunities." 

The initial meeting was held Tuesday, January 25^th and nearly 40 legislators attended.  Meetings will take place every Tuesday afternoon in Room 138, upon adjournment of the House.  Guest speakers will be featured to discuss special topics such as workforce training, multi-college partnerships, developmental education and technical programs.  Legislators will also discuss pending legislation that could impact two-year colleges.

Mid-South student learns advanced skills, works for bio-medical device manufacturer 

Norman Robinson and Willis Yates

Machining technology students attending Mid-South Community College in West Memphis are working at advanced levels with Memphis bio-medical device companies thanks to skills gained through courses in the college’s Workforce Technology Center.

“All of these students have had life-changing and career-enhancing experiences which have led to good jobs and great opportunities,” said Willis Yates, Machining Technology Career and Development Specialist with the college’s center. “These opportunities would not have happened without our partnerships with Gosiger Industries and Methods Machine Tools, and our commitment to our students,” Yates added. “Each of these students entered our program without Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining skills, and in less than one year, they were working in the industry making good wages. Each of these men is a great example of how you can make a long-term, life-changing difference by entering our machine technology program.”

Norman L. Robinson has used his experience and training in the college’s hands-on, intensive program to land an apprenticeship work opportunity at Smith & Nephew, a major Memphis bio-medical device manufacturer.

Robinson of Marianna, Ark., studied graphic art design for three years at Memphis College of Art and also was employed 15 years at FedEx. He retired from FedEx in 2002 and found a full-time job at a major manufacturer of gypsum wallboards.

“A layoff there in March 2007 is where it all began,” Robinson said. “Once that happened, I weighed some options in graphic design and other avenues. My manager at the gypsum manufacturer gave us some insights on Mid-South Community College where I met Willis Yates. Yates introduced me to CNC programming and I realized the higher demand in that field.”  CNC concentrates on medical field implant machining that uses computer controls.

“We went through the shop; he showed me the machines, and I found them really intriguing,” Robinson said. “Yates helped me get into the program. From there, I attended for two years. At this current stage, I am graduating in Level II machining with an associate’s degree.”

Robinson first began working at Smith & Nephew as a metal product finisher through a temporary job service. From there, he passed the required test to become a Level I machinist and has since earned Level II machinist classification at the major manufacturer. He works on the manufacturing floor with a specially computerized lathe to make foundation screws, machine base plates and machine box knees.

“I do not think any of this would have happened if I had not been introduced to the Mid-South Community College program,” Robinson said. “I see a bright future as a CNC programmer. The skill sets I acquired at MSCC have allowed me to advance quickly and have given me the potential for a career. My current job actually builds on my graphic design training, too.”

Mid-South Community College Machine Technology students learn to interpret blueprints, operate manual and CNC machines and perform basic and advanced machining tasks. Students make decisions to ensure that work quality is maintained, perform inspection and testing, and demonstrate the proper techniques and selection with the devices, materials and tools. The college’s program follows guidelines established by the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS), and MSCC is in the process of earning NIMS accreditation.

Pulaski Tech culinary student follows her dreams

Daysha Carr

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."  — Confucius

Daysha Carr, a student in the Pulaski Technical College Arkansas Culinary School, has enjoyed every moment of her experience learning the culinary arts, largely because she can look forward to a rewarding career doing what she loves to do.  

Both of her parents are well educated and always stressed the importance of education, but Daysha attributes her love of cooking to her grandmother. “She’s half Russian and half Italian, so growing up I was always watching her cook different kinds of delicious foods,” says Carr. “I especially enjoy preparing Italian, Russian and Czech dishes, so the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

She thanks Pulaski Tech’s Arkansas Culinary School for giving her the tools and instruction to realize her dream of being a chef. She decided to attend Pulaski Tech because of the very successful culinary program, small class size and affordable tuition.

“I wanted to learn a skill and get a job that’s in high demand,” says Carr. “I enjoy the fast pace in the hospitality industry and I think it takes a special kind of personality to thrive in that environment. I intend to use my creativity and personal experience to make a unique contribution wherever I work.”

Daysha responds very positively as she reflects on her experience thus far. “All of my classes are taught by professionals who teach the skills they use to earn a living. When we have someone here to teach about pastries or cakes they actually own their own bakery. My instructors are experienced and knowledgeable, and they pass this knowledge on to their students. Everyone here has been truly wonderful to me.”

She expresses appreciation for the valuable and lasting relationships she has built with the faculty and staff. “The instructors and administration at Pulaski Tech really notice you; everybody is valuable to them and they will do whatever they can to help you succeed.”

In the future Daysha plans on travelling all over the globe and learning about different cultures and cuisines. She adds, “I love being out of my element and trying new foods; I really like adapting whatever culture I am experiencing. I look forward to leaning all I can.”

She plans on graduating in spring with an Associate of Science in the Culinary Arts and working as a chef in an established restaurant or, eventually, opening her own.

When asked if she had any parting advice to offer a potential student, she responded: “Nothing is truly impossible; as long as you have a passion for what you do, you will succeed.”

Two-year colleges serve as cultural, economic centers of communities

Communities across Arkansas have access to the arts and economic opportunities at their local two-year college.  Thanks to private donations and business partnerships, many two-year colleges have built first-class, multi-function facilities that combine theater space, meeting space, classrooms and more to host both student and community events.

This is particularly significant for rural areas that would not have art exhibits, theatrical productions or concerts without such facilities. Two-year colleges are also able to host events that promote economic development, such as job fairs or conventions that attract people who utilize local hotels, shops and restaurants. 

Some examples include:

• The El Dorado Conference Center is a partnership between South Arkansas Community College and the City of El Dorado. The facility is owned by the city and operated by the college. The 50,000-square-foot building has a 1,000-capacity assembly hall, five breakout rooms and a spacious concourse. It includes the college’s student services division in addition to conference space. Upcoming plans are to host an entrepreneurship conference and the annual SouthArk Lecture Series, as well as multiple gatherings of civic organizations, state and regional bodies, corporate firms and local social groups.
• The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville partners with First Community Bank to offer live shows as part of a performance series that will include acrobats, a hypnotist, Motown singers and a musical family in 2011.
• Pulaski Technical College hosts numerous cultural events through the year. Most events take place in the Campus Center Grand Hall, which seats 350 people; the RJ Wills Lecture Hall, which seats 210; and the US Bank Room in the Information Technology Building. Activities include job fairs, the Annual Fiesta that draws more than 600 people, the Annual Fine Arts Festival that showcases the talents of students, rotating art exhibits, book signings and poetry readings, and the Annual Black History banquet that draws nearly 300 people.
• The opening of the Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Grand Prairie Center is expected to be completed in March 2011.  The 63,000-square-foot multi-use facility on the Stuttgart campus will provide educational programs, cultural presentations and space for business. The center will house an auditorium that will seat 1,500 people, with two adjacent multi-purpose salons that when combined can seat an additional 1,000.  The center will also house a performance stage, capable of handling major theatrical productions, equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. Three classrooms and three meeting rooms will also be available. The center will also have a fully-equipped catering kitchen featuring an outdoor cooking pavilion.
• Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas’ Civic Center in Ashdown has been used by several community groups, including use for an Economic Development Summit. 
• North Arkansas College’s Durand Center is located in downtown Harrison. The 22,000 square foot facility seats more than 400 guests and provides a lecture-type meeting space for nearly twice that number, while simultaneously hosting separate events in six other meeting rooms for more than 143 additional people. 
• East Arkansas Community College, located in Forrest City, officially opened its new Fine Arts Center in April 2010. The 33,000 square foot Center is designated as a ‘Class A’ performance hall and is only one of three currently located in the state of Arkansas.  The Center features an Auditorium that seats 500 to 1,100, a state-of-the-art Stage, a Banquet Hall, a 73 foot fly loft, Orchestra Pit, and a Black Box Theater as well as a Gallery for art exhibitions. The Fine Arts Center has hosted concerts by The Temptations, Clint Black and the Memphis Symphony. EastArk has also hosted a number of state, regional and community events in the Center including a University of Arkansas Agricultural Symposium and a regional Workforce Career Fair.

El Dorado Conference Center

Grand Prairie Center, Stuttgart (to be completed in March 2011)

Durand Center, Harrison

East Arkansas Community College Fine Arts Center, Forrest City