The ANC Tours Program is Back....and Heading to New York City!

ANC Tours offers...December in New York!
December 10-14, 2015

December 10, 2015
Just get yourself to Arkansas Northeastern College and we'll take it from there!  We will take a motor coach to the Memphis International Airport and a non-stop flight to New York City.  There will be plenty of free time to sight-see and shop as we stay at the beautiful Sheraton Times Square which has positioned itself as the premier option for Times Square and Central Park travelers.  Offering breathtaking views, free breakfasts, and evening appetizers, guests feel at home at the Sheraton Club Lounge.  Dinner will be on your own and a Holiday Lights Tour will be available.

December 11, 2015
Private, guided tour - includes Metro card (single use roundtrip), US Park Service - Round trip ferry ticket to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, National 9/11 Memorial Museum.  Then on your own.

December 12, 2015
Spend the day on your schedule with the All Loops Tour - 48 hour pass to enjoy all the highlights of Manhattan.  Over 40 stops on 3 loops: OR...shop until you drop!  In the evening, we will enjoy the "On The Town" Broadway show.

December 13, 2015
More sight-seeing of New York with your All Loops Tour pass or do a little more shopping.  Group Dinner/Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show.

December 14, 2015
Transfer to the airport for non-stop flight home and transport to Blytheville.

Per Person:
Double Occupancy: $2,467 per person
Single Occupancy: $3,281 per person

Deadline for deposit is Friday, August 28th.  
Balance must be paid in full by Thursday, October 8th.

For more information, or to reserve your space, call 870-762-3168.

Upcoming Classes for Kids

TENNIS CAMP
June 8-11- Mon-Thurs- Tennis Camp- Coach Jim McCord will take you through the fundamentals of the forehand, serve, backhand, rules and scoring.  Bring Water, racket and tennis ball. Call today for this class!

PRINCESS ACADEMY
June 8-11- Mon- Thurs- Princess Academy- Sign up and have a royally good time at our very own Princess Academy! Come join instructors Brianna and Kaitlyn for 4 days full of “everything Disney Princess”, with games, stories and crafts .  Ages 4-8   Fee: $20  12-2 pm

SIGN LANGUAGE FOR KIDS
June 9-July 16- Tuesday/Thursday- Sign Language for Kids. Jennica Jackson will take you through the basics. Sponsored by the Mississippi County Library System. Both classes are from 6-7:30pm Blytheville Library on Tuesdays; Osceola Library on Thursdays. Fee: $10

KIDS FARM DAY AT WILSON GARDENS
June 13- Saturday- Kids Farm Day at Wilson Gardens- 10 am to 1 pm Leslie Wolverton has an awesome day planned for the kids. Lessons on how to plant, harvest and eat healthy. They will use the demo kitchen, eating the food they harvested and prepared. Limit 15 kids - Fee: $15

MANNERS MATTER!
June 15-18- Mon-Thurs- Manners Matter! 2-3:30 pm and 3:30-4:30 on Thursday. Telephone etiquette, RSVP’s and thank you notes, dining out, setting the table, and introductions.  With Pam Pruett.  Fee: $10 Adams/Vines Gallery.

GIRLS BASKETBALL CAMP with WHITNEY JONES
June 15-17- Mon-Wed. Girls Basketball Camp with Whitney Jones- Grades 4-6 is 9 am-12 pm. Grades 7-12 is 1-4 pm. ANC Gym- $45. Includes T-shirt. This camp is for the player who is serious about becoming a better player.

GOLF
June 16-July 7- Tuesdays- Golf- Beginner (9-10:30), Intermediate (10:30-12)- Fee: $30 Learn the basics or polish up your game. All ages and abilities are welcome.  Thunder Bayou Pro, Tony Peterson will instruct.

ART JOURNALING with CORBET McKAY
June 16- July 2- Tues/Thur- 6-7 pm. Art Journaling with Corbet McKay. Popular new form of art on the East Coast. Record just about anything in a beautiful keepsake that you have designed yourself. Bring a blank journal with you. Fee> $35 plus $10 to Corbet for supplies. At the Red Barn in Blytheville.  This would be a great class for girls who love to scrapbook and draw!


June 22- 25- Classes offered

3-D GAMING
3-D Gaming- Introduces students in middle and high school how to program by creating games and simulations.- Grades 6-8- (9-10:30) and grades 9-12 (10:30-12)  Fee: $35- ANC Comp/ Lab

ART-TASTIC
Art-Tastic- Come for some great fun and let your creative juices flow. Students will use a variety of mediums to create their masterpieces. 1st-3rd grades (10:30-12)  4-6 grades (12:30-2) Fee: $40- includes supplies- ANC Art Room

SELF-DEFENSE FOR KIDS
Self Defense for Kids- This class will be packed with fun for the kids while learning the wonderful self-defense art of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. Grades 1-3 (9-10:30) Grades 4-7 (10:30-12). Ray Trammell, formerly of the Detroit Swat Team will instruct. Wellness Center Aerobics Room. $35

BOATERS EDUCATION
Boaters Education- June 22 & 23- Two nights- 6-9 pm. Learn the basics of boating safety! Chuck Long with Arkansas Game and Fish will be your instructor for this informative course. FREE! Sullins Bldg/B-113

BOYS BASKETBALL with COACH JOHN DIAMOND
Boys Basketball with Coach John Diamond-  Learn to improve your basketball skills. Offense and Defense as well as the value of hard work and respect. And Coach Diamond will have a surprise guest for the kids. Fee: $50- includes a T-shirt.  Wellness Center Gym
Ages 5-8 – Girls and Boys-  10:30 am-12 pm
Ages- 9-12- Boys- 1-3 pm
June 29- July 2- Boys 13-18- from 1-3 pm

To register, please call Mary Ann or Brianna at 870-762-3168. And check out the website at www.anc.edu/communityed for a listing of ALL classes. 

Tell all of your friends!

Most classes need a minimum of 6 participants!

ANC Instructor, James Hartley, Wins Merit Award for App Creation - Kenna

ANC instructor, James Hartley, recently won a merit award for the creation of his app – Kenna. This is what Hartley had to say about Kenna…

Kenna is a basic informational app that I created for my college students. It is a free application. It will help me stay connected with my students throughout the semester. It also provides quick access to specific institutional resources.

Kenna provides a crime news RSS feed, a list of all the classes that I teach, course syllabi, a direct call feature, an institutional phone directory, office hours, current class schedule, email form, student handbook, academic calendar, college newsletter, campus map, task scheduler, and career opportunities.

Kenna also provides remote notifications and local notifications that remind students of quizzes and exams as well as other institutional information. Students expressed interest in an app of this nature, so with that encouragement, I focused my efforts on creating Kenna. 

ANC Board Approves Construction of Center for Allied Technologies

ANC BOARD APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF CENTER FOR ALLIED TECHNOLOGIES

Members of the Arkansas Northeastern College Board of Trustees gathered for their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, where they approved the financing plan and construction of the new Center for Allied Technologies. The Board’s action follows commitments made by the ANC Foundation Board of Governors at their Spring meeting on April 9 of $325,000 toward construction and $250,000 toward equipment. The College anticipates an annual cost savings of $100,000 through consolidating the Harry L. Crisp, Aircraft & Metals Engineering (ACME), and Burdette Centers which the new facility will replace.

The proposed facility will be located on the ANC Main Campus just south of the Angela Wren Nursing & Allied Health Building. The new center will feature the headquarters for The Solutions Group, including general purpose classrooms, electrical classroom & lab, mechanical classroom/lab, safety classroom/lab, HVAC classroom & lab, computer classroom, and large multi-purpose room. A world-class welding laboratory will serve secondary, post-secondary, and customized training needs. Also featured will be an aircraft hangar/lab, combination non-destructive testing (NDT) & composites laboratory, and general purpose classrooms to fully accommodate the aviation maintenance program, both secondary and post-secondary. In addition to welding and aviation maintenance, Secondary/Technical Center students from our area high schools also will be served on the Main Campus by classroom & lab facilities for advanced manufacturing, criminal justice, education, and construction/carpentry. Medical professions secondary training will be delivered at the existing Wren building to co-locate with the other allied health professions.

According to ANC President Dr. James Shemwell, the location of the center is strategic in that it represents a plan to rebrand professions, as well as college education for high-demand, well-paying professions, in the minds of young people, parents, teachers, and the general public by locating the facilities where most people associate as “college.” Additionally, the center would be located within walking distance from the Department of Workforce Services, more commonly referred to as the “unemployment office.” Architectural & engineering work, including a comprehensive campus drainage plan, is anticipated to require one year, followed by a two-year construction timetable. The projected grand opening for the new Center is August 2018.

Dever Industrial Maintenance Solutions Pledges $75,000 toward ANC Center for Allied Technologies

Dever Industrial Maintenance Solutions Pledges $75,000 toward ANC Center for Allied Technologies

Arkansas Northeastern College has received another pledge toward its $13 million Center for Allied Technology. Phillip Dever of Dever Industrial Maintenance Solutions has committed $75,000 toward the project which will fund the electrical laboratory in the 85,000 square foot facility.

Dever, a longtime supporter of Arkansas Northeastern College, serves on the ANC Foundation Board and made his gift known at the meeting of the Board last week.

ANC President Dr. James Shemwell said, “Mr. Dever has been an ardent supporter of our College and understands the importance of providing education and training for the area workforce. He volunteers his time and knowledge to Skills USA at the State level and his local insight informs our training strategy here at the College. We greatly appreciate this generous gift and his continued support of Arkansas Northeastern College.”

The new facility to be located on the ANC Main Campus will actually decrease the College’s overall facilities by 30,000 square feet by consolidating the Burdette Center, Harry L. Crisp Center, and the ACME Center—with an estimated costs savings for the College of approximately $100,000 a year in maintenance.  This new facility will feature a headquarters for the College’s customized training force—The Solutions Group, including general purpose classrooms, electrical classroom & lab, mechanical classroom/lab, safety classroom/lab, HVAC classroom & lab, computer classroom, and large multi-purpose room. Additionally, a world-class welding laboratory will be available for students.

Secondary Center students from area high schools also will be served by this facility through classroom & laboratories for advanced manufacturing, welding, criminal justice, education, and construction/carpentry.  The design incorporates a computer lab for the Secondary Center. Also featured is an aircraft hangar/lab, combination non-destructive testing (NDT) & composites laboratory, and general purpose classrooms to fully accommodate ANC’s Federal Aviation Administration—certified Aviation Maintenance Program.

“We have had the strongest workforce training program in the state for a number of years, we are glad to finally see plans for a premier facility on the horizon for these programs,” said Shemwell.

For more information or to contribute to the project, please contact Rachel Gifford, ANC Foundation Executive Director at 870-838-2902.

ANC and Mississippi County Extension Agency Offer Two New Classes

Two new pilot programs addressing health and nutrition issues will be offered this spring in Mississippi County. Living Well with Diabetes is a multi-session program for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes and their families. Classes will be held at Arkansas Northeastern College, main campus, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on April 10, 17, 27 and May 8. The fee is $12.00 for all four sessions and pre-registration is required.

Another pilot program features Mediterranean Cooking Classes. Learn to cook dishes from both Eastern and Western Mediterranean countries. The Mediterranean diet is a lifestyle approach to healthy eating that includes a balanced variety of foods and daily exercise. The cost is $20 per person per class. Participants will cook an authentic Mediterranean meal. Western Mediterranean cuisine class will be held May 12^th and Eastern Mediterranean cuisine class will be held May 19^th at Blytheville New Tech High School Family and Consumer Sciences Department from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required and class space is limited.

Contact Pam Pruett at 870-762-2075 / ppruett@uaex.edu  or Mary Ann Garren at 762-3168/ mgarren@smail.anc.edu  to pre-register for Living Well with Diabetes, Eastern Mediterranean Cooking Class, and/or Western Mediterranean Cooking Class or for additional information.

ANC to Offer FREE Workforce Readiness Programs and Partners with Big River Steel for Future Hiring Process

ARKANSAS NORTHEASTERN COLLEGE TO OFFER FREE WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAMS

PARTNERS WITH BIG RIVER STEEL FOR FUTURE HIRING PROCESS

OSCEOLA, Arkansas As Arkansas’ newest super-project, Big River Steel, begins construction in Mississippi County, Arkansas, Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) has announced two workforce readiness programs to aid local residents hoping to join the company’s team — both offered at no cost to the student.

In preliminary meetings with representatives of Big River Steel, ANC recognized the company’s desire to provide job opportunities to residents of the local community. To meet those needs, ANC’s workforce training division, The Solutions Group, will focus on providing all levels of job preparation.

“Providing accessible educational and training opportunities is our mission, and we are proud to offer workforce training to our local companies and new companies coming to the area such as Big River Steel. The Solutions Group has garnered national recognition for its innovation and flexibility, and we are glad to offer that experience and knowledge to the economic development of this region,” said Dr. James Shemwell, President of Arkansas Northeastern College.

ANC’s Construction Technology and Workforce Orientation & Retraining Keys (WORK) programs have been implemented prior to Big River Steel’s location to the area to get a head start on meeting the employment needs that will arise as well as several other announced projects such as BlueOak Arkansas, SMS Millcraft, Mid-River Terminal, Jefferson Iron & Metal, and future not-yet-known ventures.

Working in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, ANC also will assist Big River Steel in its hiring procedure by funneling the application process through its website and Workforce Development Office. The company is partnering with ANC to oversee the large amount of job seekers expected. This will provide a consistent and uncomplicated method by which to apply for a position within the company as well as learn about available training opportunities. The ANC website will post the application procedure as soon as the hiring process is ready which is expected to occur in the spring of 2015.

“Every individual inquiring about a job is important to us,” said Mark Bula, Chief Commercial Officer for Big River Steel. “We want applicants to have access to consistent information about available opportunities for employment and related training. As such, we look forward to working closely with Arkansas Northeastern College as we begin to implement our hiring plans.”

Additionally, ANC will work with the contractors selected by Big River Steel to supply training for construction skills so that the level of local employees will be maximized. ANC has already implemented a new certificate program in Construction Technology to begin preparing individuals as several new companies in the area increase the need for construction employees, including the Big River Steel mill which will require approximately 2,000 workers While Big River Steel serves as a catalyst for the execution of both ANC’s WORK Program and the Construction Technology Certificate Program, these programs are designed to prepare workers for a number of employment opportunities with a wide variety of local companies.

“It’s an exciting time in Mississippi County as growth becomes a reality. It will have an impact throughout our entire region, and we are proud to implement new programs to meet the needs of our local companies and citizens. To this effort, we expand our training region-wide and partner with our sister institutions to maximize the training potential,” said Gene Bennett, ANC Dean for Economic Development.

ANC is working in cooperation with other colleges in the Arkansas Delta Training & Education Consortium (ADTEC), including Arkansas State University-Newport, East Arkansas Community College, and Mid-South Community College, so that those colleges also may offer programs as a regional initiative in the very near future.

One such program conceived by ANC is Workforce Orientation & Retraining Keys (WORK). This 60-clock hour program was developed to provide basic workplace skills to members of the community with little or no prior work experience.

“We’re already seeing success with our WORK program,” said Bennett who added that the training was designed to lift unemployed individuals out of poverty and give them the skills to become employable. “There are a lot of jobs out there and a lot of jobs coming. We need able bodied people ready to fill them.”

The WORK Program provides individuals with the necessary skills and support network to access economic opportunity. Community mentors work with each WORK participant throughout the eight weeks of training and extending until the participant has successfully maintained employment for 90 days.

WORK participants have the opportunity to earn financial incentives during training to help remove barriers to employment, such as funds to purchase work clothes or specialized footwear. Completers of the WORK program have the opportunity to obtain a certificate of WORK completion, an American Heart Association CPR card, a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC), and job interview opportunities with local employers.  WORK represents a comprehensive partnership effort among Arkansas Northeastern College, the Great River Economic Development Foundation, the Mississippi County Equal Opportunity Commission, area industries, community and faith-based leaders, and the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. Those interested in the WORK Program can contact Coordinator Doug Echols at 870-838-9905.

Additionally, the Construction Technology Program is designed to prepare students for entry level construction jobs.  Students are taught the basics of construction safety, math, and power and hand tools.  Students also develop skills in construction welding, concrete finishing, rigging, and light equipment usage. The goal of the program is to help the student acquire skills that can be used to enter the workplace and be a versatile member of a construction team. This program can be completed in only one semester or less. Individuals interested in Construction Technology can contact Kortnie Driskill at 870-763-6222.

In an effort to expand the local workforce to meet growing needs, both the certificate program in Construction Technology and the WORK Program are offered at no cost to students. Additionally, both programs are short-term (either 10 or 16 weeks for construction and eight weeks for WORK) to provide individuals a fast-track to employment.