Conway, Arkansas – In an inspiring move towards enhancing career and technical education (CTE), the Conway School District has entered into a strategic partnership with the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM). This collaboration paves the way for Conway High School students to earn certificates of proficiency in various CTE programs at no cost to them, marking a significant step in closing the educational opportunity gap in the region.
The agreement was officially announced in a ceremony filled with enthusiasm and supportive remarks from leaders of both institutions. Conway High School’s Principal, Dr. Kate Worley, opened the event, welcoming guests and highlighting the significance of this new pathway for students. Dr. Jeff Collum, Superintendent of Conway School District, expressed his excitement about the initiative.
“Usually, when we talk about concurrent credit, career and technical education (CTE), and career and military readiness, we end the conversation with ‘Yes or …’ ‘Yes, you can do this, or you can do that,’” said Collum as reported by the school district. “Today we are having the discussion about ‘Yes and yes.’ Yes, you can do this and pursue that opportunity.”
Courtesy of Conway School District
Dr. Lisa Willenberg, Chancellor of UACCM, also spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the agreement.
“We appreciate that higher education in Conway has included us in the tagline as being part of the City of Colleges. We are a complement to those other institutions and to your educational journey,” she said.
Karey Smith, Supervisor at the Conway Area Career Center (CACC), provided concrete examples of how the agreement is already benefiting students.
“We currently have 18 welding students, 34 auto collision students, and 27 drafting students getting concurrent credit. This number is only going to increase in the spring,” Smith added.
Highlighting the practical impact of the partnership, UACCM’s Vice Chancellor of Academics, Dr. Richard Counts, pointed out the integral role played by Conway High School’s faculty.
“A key component to making this happen is the amazing faculty that Conway employs, we couldn’t do this without them,” Counts praised.
Courtesy of Conway School District
Another key aspect of the partnership is its cost efficiency, which was underscored by Darren Jones, UACCM’s Vice Chancellor of Student Services.
“We all know that college is not free, but when we are able to come together and put students first, we are able to provide these opportunities at no cost,” Jones explained.
The ceremony concluded with a round of applause, attended by various members of the educational community including school district officials, faculty members, students, and UACCM representatives, all united in their support for a program that promises to open new doors for students in Conway.
As both institutions look to the future, there is a strong sense of anticipation for the expansion of this program. “This is just the beginning,” Dr. Counts affirmed. “We are committed to continually working with Conway School District to introduce more programs and courses that will benefit our students.”
This partnership not only bridges the gap between secondary and higher education but also exemplifies a community’s commitment to fostering an environment where students can thrive and pursue multiple educational avenues without financial burden.
