Paneitz To Retire From Northwest Arkansas Community College

The president of Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC), Dr. Becky Paneitz, announced at tonight’s (April 9) Board of Trustees meeting her plans to retire as president of the college in June 2013.  Paneitz has served in the job since 2003.

For nearly 10 years, Paneitz has led the college during a time of tremendous growth, helping make it one of the largest and fastest growing community colleges in Arkansas and the country.  Enrollment at the time she became president was 4,915, and enrollment today is at 8,528.

“Dr. Paneitz has been key to NWACC’s successes over the years,” said Alex Vasquez, chairman of NWACC’s Board of Trustees. “She has inspired students on how to set and achieve their educational goals.  She has led our administration, faculty and staff to continue providing quality education.  And she has demonstrated what the impact of enthusiasm and vision can mean to a community college and the community it serves.”

Among her list of accomplishments, Paneitz established five learning centers to broaden post-secondary educational opportunities in nearby communities. The learning centers include:  Jones Trust Center in Springdale, Washington County Center in Springdale, Regional Technology Center in Farmington, Center for Nonprofits in Rogers and College at the Crossing in Bella Vista.

To accommodate growth and new programs for students and faculty, Paneitz and her team engaged in a building initiative that included the Shewmaker Center for Global Business Development, Center for Health Professions, the new Student Center, renovation and expansion of Burns Hall and the first parking garage in Benton County.

During her tenure, Paneitz spearheaded new partnerships between NWACC and several area businesses and organizations, some of which include the University of Arkansas, S.I.F.E., La-Z-Boy, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Walmart and Sam’s Club, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the National Child Protection Training Center. Paneitz has also helped raise more than $69 million in private and federal grants and donations, a tribute to her commitment to expanding the overall revenue base of NWACC.

You can read more from Kim Souza with our content partner, The City Wire, at this link.