College grad rates improve in Fort Smith area

The more than 400 University of Arkansas at Fort Smith students set to graduate today (Dec. 15) are among a growing segment of the area population with a four-year degree, according to info released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The American Community Survey (ACS) shows that Crawford, Franklin, Logan and Sebastian counties in Arkansas, and Leflore and Sequoyah counties in Oklahoma posted an increase or remained level between 2000 and 2009 in the number of persons 25 and older with a four-year college degree.

ACS data, collected and managed by the Census Bureau, is produced every year and is an estimate based upon a survey of about 3 million households.

“Collecting data every year provides more up-to-date information throughout the decade about the U.S. population at the local community level,” noted the ACS statement.

Arkansas has historically had a low percentage of persons with a college degree or higher, and the Fort Smith region has had a lower percentage than central Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas. The 2009 ACS data shows the state and region moving in the right direction with respect to educational attainment.

COUNTY EDUCATION RATES
(percentage of adults 25 years and older with a four-year degree)
Crawford County
2009: 11.8%
2000: 9.7%

Franklin County
2009: 13%
2000: 11%

Logan County
2009: 10.6%
2000: 9.4%

Sebastian County
2009: 17.4%
2000: 16.6%

Leflore County
2009: 11.3%
2000: 11.3%

Sequoyah County
2009: 11.9%
2000: 10.9%

“You can account for the increase, in my opinion, because of the increased access,” said Dr. Jo Blondin, chancellor of Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus.

Blondin said ATU-Ozark, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and Rich Mountain Community College have “worked hard” to increase course offerings and make it easier for area citizens to attend classes.

Enrollment figures prove that point, with the fall 2010 student count at ATU-Ozark up more than 106% compared to fall 2008. Between 2000 and 2010, student enrollment at UAFS has increased 97%.

UAFS Chancellor Dr. Paul Beran said 2007 was the first year the number of four-year UAFS graduates topped the number of 2-year and other graduates. Beran said there are numerous factors that impact educational attainment rates, but said the Fort Smith region’s economic history and the lack of a four-year institution until 2004 worked to keep attainment rates low compared to other regions of the state.

For example, Beran noted that central Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas are blessed with more companies that attract college graduates — meaning the local area isn’t wholly dependent on producing and retaining college graduates.

Beran and Ray Wallace, UAFS provost and senior vice chancellor, offered a reminder that UAFS has not yet completed a full decade as a university. They expect the attainment rates to see greater gains in the next decade. Beran predicts a “positive revolving spiral upward” as the number of college graduates increases the chances of attracting and retaining higher-paying jobs. He says there will be “greater opportunity” in the next five to 10 years for more high-tech industry to find the area more attractive.

“I would say this (ACS report) is good news for Sebastian County, and it will only get better,” Wallace added.

Blondin shares the belief that the “historic job base” in the Fort Smith region has served to keep educational attainment rates low.

“Our economy has been one that has not required a two- or four-year degree as it has in Northwest Arkansas or Little Rock. … As a result, we have not realized the gains of the other counties,” Blondin said.

The percentage of adults 25 years and older with a four-year degree in Benton County as of 2009 was 24.9%, up from 20.3% in 2000. Washington County saw its rate improve from 24.5% in 2000 to 28.5% in 2009. The rate in Pulaski County was 31% in 2009, up from 28.1% in 2000.

Blondin cautioned against having too much of a focus on pushing traditional and non-traditional students into only a four-year track.

“The four-year degree is not the silver bullet that will make everything better,” Blondin said. “Not everyone can do that (work toward a four-year degree). The more students we encourage to get a two-year degree, we’ve given them a taste for higher ed and they see the payoff and they are more likely to come back. For that reason, we should focus on all aspects of higher education … and not in just one area.”

Retention was a word frequently used by Beran, Blondin and Wallace. Arkansas does a good job of getting students to enter college, but completion rates are low compared to the national average.

Blondin said ATU-Ozark works with the business community on efforts to encourage students to finish what they start.

UAFS hired Diana Rowden in the summer of 2009 as the dean of Student Success. She works with all UAFS college deans on retention programs. Wallace said UAFS also goes after students who “stopped out” — those near graduation but for whatever reasons didn’t finish the few remaining courses. He said “many” of the stopped out students have returned.

“People want stability, and they see a degree as equaling stability in their lives,” Beran said.