The North Arkansas College Board of Trustees has approved an initiative to explore a potential affiliation with the University of Arkansas System. Board Chair Luke Feighert and President Rick Massengale have been appointed to lead discussions and examine the specifics of the agreement.
The UA System is comprised of 21 campuses, divisions and units around the state.
Feighert said in a press release that this step is aimed at ensuring the college, which is located in Harrison, remains a “forward-thinking institution dedicated to delivering high-quality education.”
He also said in the release that the affiliation could provide expanded academic and professional opportunities for both students and employees.
If the exploration process leads to a formal partnership, an agreement will be presented to the board for review and approval. Following that, the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas will also need to vote on the agreement.
Once approved, both institutions would collaborate over the next year to meet state and federal requirements. Additionally, administrators will host forums with students, employees, community members and other stakeholders to address concerns, gather feedback and guide the transition process.
If finalized, North Arkansas College would become the ninth community college to join the UA System, following the recent merger of East Arkansas Community College, now UA-East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City, which was officially incorporated into the system last month.
In the release, Massengale highlighted the benefits of joining the UA System. He said one of the most significant advantages is the opportunity for students to access the university’s transfer scholarship program. The program allows students who transfer to pay North Arkansas College tuition rates at the University of Arkansas.
“The Northark Board of Trustees membership would remain the same but transition into a Board of Visitors,” Massengale said in the release. “This Board of Visitors will provide recommendations to the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas while continuing to advise the college on matters such as budgeting, tuition and fee structures, academic programming, personnel matters and other key issues.”
The college would also maintain its own appropriations and funding sources.
Additionally, the Board of Visitors would continue to oversee college operations, aiming to ensure the institution remains connected to the community.
“No student will lose opportunities for a successful transfer to the University of Arkansas or any other institution as a result of an affiliation,” Massengale said in the release. “We will retain our existing transfer agreements with other colleges and hope to expand them further through this partnership.”
He also said that no jobs will be eliminated, and no community events will be cancelled because of the partnership.
“If this moves forward, it will mark a period of change,” Massengale said in the release. “Northark’s first 50 years will always be its legacy, and if we reach this milestone, we will retain Northark in the name. We have successfully merged with Twin Lakes Vo-Tech in the past and continued to grow. This is another step toward future expansion. Our local students deserve the same opportunities as those who have access to cities within the University of Arkansas System who already benefit from UA transfer scholarships.”
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