New ArFuture Grant Receives High Praise from ANC President

New ArFuture Grant Receives High Praise from ANC President

LITTLE ROCK – The President of Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) in Blytheville, Dr. James Shemwell, has high praise for Governor Hutchinson’s focus on assisting students who choose high demand fields of study that will grow the Arkansas workforce and ultimately enhance the state’s economy.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has announced the repurposing of two current grant programs to fund an approximate $8 million new plan he has coined the Arkansas Future Grant (ArFuture). The grant will be available to traditional, home school and non-traditional students with established Arkansas residency. It will be provided on top of other state scholarships to close the funding gap between what other grants and scholarships can provide.

The ArFuture Grant is given on a first come, first serve basis and would provide up to two years of tuition and fees at an Arkansas community college for students who enroll in high demand fields of study such as computer science and welding. ANC is one of the many community colleges that focus on providing students with degrees that will place them in high demand positions in the Arkansas workforce.

The beauty of the ArFuture grant is that it requires no new general revenue and it will be using the funding of two ineffectual programs to focus on student accountability and success in Arkansas. To keep the students on track, all recipients are required to have a program mentor that they meet with monthly. Additionally, the students will have to complete eight hours of community service per semester to broaden their perspective and understand the needs of the community. To encourage completion of the program, after graduation the ArFuture recipients must work full-time in Arkansas for three years in order to fulfill their commitment.

Shemwell says he could not be more pleased that Governor Hutchinson wants to send a message to prospective employers that the state is committed to building a strong workforce that will attract industry and allow the Arkansas economy to thrive. “Considering that the vast majority of scholarship resources go to traditionally-aged students, the Governor’s proposal recognizes the critical need to provide educational access to adults,” said Shemwell. “The students who will participate in the ArFuture Grant Program are truly the future of a better, stronger Arkansas workforce.” Shemwell also complimented Arkansas Department of Higher Education Director, Dr. Maria Markham, adding, “Dr. Markham’s background gives her a keen understanding of the vital role that community colleges play in terms of economic development and we appreciate her efforts in helping to bring this proposal forward.”