Campus Talk: UALR, UACCH Form Partnership

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UALR, UACCH FORM PARTNERSHIP
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) has partnered with the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope (UACCH) to offer courses at its Texarkana branch for students in Miller and surrounding counties.

Shortly after UACCH opened its Texarkana branch in fall 2012, community and business leaders expressed the need for bachelor’s degree offerings in areas such as business, construction management, and social work to prepare more people for jobs, according to UALR Chancellor Joel Anderson.

Full-time UALR faculty are currently offering business courses in a hybrid format. Hybrid courses are taught partly online and also include face-to-face instruction. In addition to business courses, construction management courses will be offered beginning fall 2015.

MEET THE NEW LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL BOARD
TB&P contributor Steve Brawner interviews Tony Wood, the state’s Education Commissioner, who now happens to be the Little Rock School District’s “board of directors.” Read their extensive Q&A on what now happens with the state’s takeover of the district at this link.

FORWARD ARKANSAS WANTS P-16 EDUCATION PLAN
Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, executive director of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and a steering member of ForwARd Arkansas, says the newly formed education reform group wants to shape a pre-K through college (P-16) education strategy for the state.

ForwARd Arkansas released a preliminary report on the state of Arkansas education. The report includes the group’s research on school performance, student demographics, test scores, graduation rates and other education metrics.

Arkansas ranks high in pre-K and college access, but poorly in college completion. Watch an interview with West-Scantlebury and read more of her comments at this link.

BRETT POWELL, ANN CLEMMER TAKE NEW ROLES WITH HIGHER ED
Brett Powell, VP for Administrative Services at Ouachita Baptist University, has been chosen as the new director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Powell replaces Shane Broadway, who has accepted a position as vice president for government relations for Arkansas State University.

Also, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that former State Rep. Ann Clemmer will serve as Senior Associate Director at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

ARKANSAS-BASED TEXTBOOK COMPANY PURCHASES EDUCATORS BOOK DEPOSITORY
Little Rock-based BBA Solutions (BBA) has purchased the Educators Book Depository, which has helped teachers and administrators acquire textbooks for more than 40 years.

“The Depository has long been a fixture in Arkansas, helping educators select and purchase books, and get them into the classrooms. We want to build on that, using new technology to make the selection and ordering process easier and more efficient than ever before ,” said Rene’ Morgan, chief operating officer of BBA Solutions.

“We are committed to using our resources and strong relationships throughout the publishing world to make sure Arkansas schools and their teachers are able to choose from the most up-to-date materials, and that they get the best deal possible,” Morgan said.

BBA has added support staff and additional resources to provide schools with more services and ways to save money. Districts would avoid shipping costs, saving up to 7% on their purchases. They could also receive same day or next day delivery services and consolidated shipping and billing, helping simplify the ordering process.

“Our business is built on a dedication to serving our customers, and we’re excited to bring that level of service to K-12 schools in Arkansas; we truly want to become the go-to resource for teachers and administrators as they plan and order curriculum materials that fit into state frameworks and best meet their students’ needs,” said Morgan.