ANC Board of Trustees Meeting Held August 16, 2023

Members of the Arkansas Northeastern College Board of Trustees gathered for their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, marking the first official board meeting under to tutelage of new ANC President Dr. Christopher Heigle.

ANC Vice President for Administration Don Ray presented the financial report for the College with the Board approving the financial statements for the fiscal year ending June, 2023. 

In other news, the Board was given a personnel update. Three faculty members earned rank. They are Dustin Kemper Professor/History Instructor, Dianne Miller Assistant Professor/Practical Nursing Instructor, Gloria Stromire Assistant Professor/Practical Nursing Instructor. Additionally the Board approved the following new hires: 

• Jonathan Carmack, English Instructor 

• Courtney Kueter, Associate Degree Nursing Instructor 

• Jessica Smith, Computer Information Systems Instructor 

• Sonia Smith, Admissions Counselor/Recruiter 

• Kelsey Stallings, Career Coach 

The Board also approved acceptance of four grant continuations. The Career Pathways Initiative (TANF) Grant 2023-2024; Educational Talent Search (ETS) Grant Award Notification 2023-24; Arkansas Career Coach Grant Award Notification 2023-24; and Adult Education Grant Award 2023-24, were all presented.

The Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) is an employability program that provides residents in Arkansas with assistance in obtaining the education and training necessary for gainful employment. The CPI program operates under a case management approach to provide individualized academic and career advising, as well as financial support for tuition/fees, books, childcare, and transportation. In 2022-23, the program served 323 students with 131 completing at least one credential and 96 percent going to work. Based on this successful performance, the College was notified that the Career Pathways Initiative Grant Award has been awarded $642,756 for the 2023-24 fiscal academic year.

The Educational Talent Search (ETS) Program is an access program designed to assist school-aged children in grades 6-12 in programs and activities that guide them to college and careers. The program requires the advisors to serve 1,068 participants in 14 public schools in 3 counties throughout Arkansas and Missouri. Services include ACT preparation, financial literacy, FAFSA assistance, college tours, study skills enhancement, and more. All services are offered at no cost to the students. ANC was notified that its Educational Talent Search program has been awarded $616,172 for the FY2023-24 fiscal year which is a 4% increase from 2022-23. The Board approved acceptance of the grant award in the amount of $616,172.

Arkansas Northeastern College has been awarded program continuation for the Career Coach grant from the Arkansas Department of Elementary & Secretary Education (DESE) - Career & Technical Education in the amount of $245,744.00 for the 2023-24 academic years. This grant is designated for the purpose of ensuring that area students in grades 8-12 have the opportunity and support needed to increase their knowledge, skills, and educational attainment by providing them with college and career guidance. This grant from DESE will provide 50% of the funds needed to support full-time career coaches at Armorel, Gosnell, Blytheville, Osceola, and Rivercrest. The remaining costs for the program will be divided between the school district partners and the college. Activities supported by the grant will include career exploration, college visits/enrollment assistance, and workplace readiness experiences.

Notification was also received by the College of grant continuation from the Arkansas Department of Career Education for the Adult Education program in the 2023-2024 academic years. This award includes funding of four grants to be used solely for Mississippi County. These funds total $374,443.45.

Arkansas Steelmaking Bootcamp Created to Answer Need for Future Growth

 

Arkansas Steelmaking Bootcamp Created to Answer Need for Future Growth

A $1.2 million grant from the Arkansas Office of Skills Development (OSD) to the Arkansas Northeast College (ANC) is helping create the Arkansas Steelmaking Bootcamp. The boot camp, a job skills initiative projected to train over 1,000 Arkansans in its first year, is designed to meet the need for skilled workers in this growing industry.

Over the past few years, Mississippi County in Northeast Arkansas has become a significant steelmaking hub. Companies like Big River Steel/U.S. Steel, Nucor-Yamato Steel, Nucor Steel Arkansas, Highbar Steel, Tenaris, Majestic Steel USA, Lexicon, Atlas Tube, Arkansas Steel Processing, Ratner Steel, SMS Milcraft, Primetals, and others are either expanding current operations or constructing new plants. The area boasts a variety of transportation options and a motivated workforce that are attractive to manufacturers.

“The mission of OSD is to strategically invest in all levels of the Arkansas workforce. This grant represents the state’s support of the expansion of the steel industry in Northeast Arkansas and the need for a strong workforce in the area. Creating a condensed training benefits the companies who have chosen to invest here and individuals looking for an in-demand, high-wage career.” Said Cody Waits, OSD Director.

Bootcamp provides entry-level knowledge for those entering the steelmaking industry. Graduates of the two-week, 80-hour boot camp receive an OSHA-10 General Industry Certification, First Aid/CPR Certification, and a Certificate of Program Completion. Each boot camp can accommodate 25 participants in a cycle. The first-year ANC will offer 20 cohorts and partner with other colleges like Black River Technical College, East Arkansas Community College, Arkansas State University-Newport, & Arkansas State University-Midsouth to offer another 22.

Arkansas Northeastern College President Dr. Christopher Heigle is excited about this new initiative and proud of the partnerships forged to meet the needs of his service area. “This tremendous opportunity afforded to us through the Arkansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Skills Development, has made it possible for Arkansas Northeastern College to greatly expand what we do to help meet the needs of our steel industry and its anticipated growth over the next few years,” said Heigle, adding, “We have wonderful relationships with our sister institutions, and their support in joining in this effort will allow us all to apply our skills and abilities to offer the Steelmaking Bootcamp throughout all of Northeast Arkansas. This initiative will provide our steel industry with a far-greater pool of prepared job applicants, illustrating a truly regional approach to workforce and economic development. This is the most exciting project I've ever worked on, and I am honored to be at the helm of such an innovative and workforce-focused institution.”

“Like any other industry, steelmaking has a specific skill set. While much of those skills are taught on the job, knowledge of safety procedures, hydraulics and pneumatics, technical math, blueprint reading, and basic safety with heavy equipment creates a strong foundation for those seeking a career in steelmaking.” According to Waits, “Our investment covers training fees, materials, and salaries, so students can take advantage of the boot camp at no cost.”

This new collaboration brings together community colleges from across the Northeast region of the state to proactively work toward meeting future needs of the growing steel industry in Mississippi County.

"Black River Technical College is excited to partner with ANC, the premier trainer in steelmaking, to offer this incredible opportunity to more residents of North East Arkansas. This partnership will undoubtedly transform hundreds of lives and greatly enhance our communities,” said BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger.

Dr. Cathie Cline of East Arkansas Community College shared in the excitement of being a part of the Steelmaking Bootcamp initiative. “Workforce development is the key component of economic development, and East Arkansas Community College is proud to partner with an outstanding group of peer colleges in doing what we do best: training workers for jobs. We are honored to be included in this opportunity to contribute to the state’s economic development goals and to connect the participants we serve with jobs that sustain families and change lives.”

Bringing in the community colleges outside of Arkansas Northeastern College’s service area allows surrounding counties the opportunity to train their residents for high wage, high demand careers in the steel industry while bolstering the workforce for Mississippi County.

“Arkansas State University Mid-South is excited to partner with Arkansas Northeastern College to bring the Arkansas Steelmaking Bootcamp to Crittenden County. Through shared resources and expertise, we will be able to provide short-term technical training for those seeking employment in the rapidly growing steel industry in Northeast Arkansas. It’s truly a win-win. Industry partners will benefit by knowing potential employees have the basic knowledge needed to be successful, and program completers will have a competitive advantage when seeking employment. And the best part for program participants is that, thanks to a grant from the Office of Skills Development, the only thing it costs them is time,” Dr. Debra West, Chancellor, ASU MidSouth.

“This partnership illustrates how well Arkansas two-year colleges collaborate with each other and with industry in order to quickly and nimbly meet their training needs. I am proud that our state and our communities are benefiting from our ability to unify as one powerful force for economic and workforce development,” added Cline.

Dr. Johnny Moore, Chancellor for ASU Newport also touts the partnership for creating more opportunities for more people. “Partnering is key to filling anticipated jobs in the steel industry. By emphasizing partnerships, we are defining this new era of higher education as one of growth through cooperation rather than retrenchment.”

Arkansas Northeastern College has been providing training for the steel industry for more than 25 years, including offering a two-year degree in Steel Industry Technology. The sharing of this experience and expertise coupled with the financial support of the Office of Skills Development, gives the Steelmaking Bootcamp less hurdles to overcome in bringing qualified workers to area industry.

“Great things happen when people work together and put positive energy into the greater good. The Steelmaking Bootcamp initiative is an example of just that. This is a win-win for everyone, but mostly for the communities we serve. I am proud to be a part of something so big that will benefit so many. Our industrial partners are very important to the viability of our communities, and we will always work to provide them the training they need,” said Heigle.

More Info: https://www.anc.edu/thesolutionsgroup/steelmakingbootcamp/index.htm