Rich Mountain Officially Joins UA System

Rich Mountain Community College of Mena said Friday that it officially joined the University of Arkansas System in a merger that was effective on Wednesday.

The college, which has about 1,000 students, said its name is now the University of Arkansas Community College at Rich Mountain, or UA Rich Mountain. It will also be known as the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain.

The college’s board of trustees approved Rich Mountain’s request to join the UA System in April, and the UA’s board of trustees approved the merger at a meeting in May.

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board granted formal approval for the merger on July 29. The Higher Learning Commission also signed off on the deal.

“As the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain, we will continue to provide the highest quality of instruction, services, and resources to our students and community,” Chancellor Phillip Wilson said in a news release. “The merger provides greater flexibility and transferability to serve our constituents. Our ability to serve our institutional mission has never been greater.”

Pulaski Technical College of North Little Rock merged with the UA System earlier this week. Officials at both schools touted cost savings and expanded program options through transfer and articulation agreements with UA schools.