ANC Student Snapshot - February 2020 - Juanita Hopkins

Juanita Hopkins is one of the ANC Student Snapshot recipients for February 2020.

𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗙𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘

𝗝𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗔 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗦, 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲

Juanita Hopkins of Monette has been selected as one Arkansas Northeastern College’s Student Snapshot Recipients for the month of February.

Hopkins, who was nominated for this distinction by ANC History Professor Dr. Jillian Hartley, has returned to college after putting her education on hold while her family grew. “I have been married to the love of my life for 26 years and we have four children together. I have lived in Arkansas for my entire life. I was born and raised in Helena, AR but have lived in northeastern Arkansas for 22 years. I got pregnant at age 16, dropped out of school and got married in 1993, but received my GED in 1995. I will be graduating with my Associate's in Art from ANC in May of 2020.”

After being away from school for so long, it can be daunting, but ANC has wonderful staff and services to help with everything from financial assistance to free tutoring. “Making the choice to attend college for me was a scary one mentally and financially, but with the resources that are available it is possible to achieve your goals and dreams,” said Hopkins.

When asked why she chose ANC, Hopkins gave several reasons. “I chose ANC because it was convenient, affordable, but most of all everyone there was encouraging, helpful, and very nice.”

She says that she has enjoyed her classes at ANC and has that she has wonderful instructors who help make the coursework interesting. “My favorite class at ANC would have to be U.S. history because Dr. Hartley loves what she teaches so she makes it interesting to learn, but math has been my favorite class of all time because I love working with numbers.”

As a social work major, Hopkins enjoys helping others. She hopes to continue her studies after her graduation form ANC this May. “My future plans are to attend Arkansas State University in Jonesboro to obtain my master's degree in social work and to become a children’s and family counselor. My advice to someone trying to choose a college is to find a college that they are comfortable with but don't overlook a good college just because it's not a University.”

President Shemwell Presents 2019 Economic Security Report to ANC Board of Trustees

On Wednesday, February 19, 2020, the Arkansas Northeastern College Board of trustees met for its regularly scheduled meeting where ANC President Dr. James Shemwell reported the results of the 2019 Economic Security Report, where ANC still offers the best return on investment for students.

The Economic Security Report is published by the Arkansas Research Center and the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services using actual Arkansas wage data (as opposed to self-reported surveys) of graduates of all Arkansas colleges and universities. The 2019 Economic Security Report provides first year earnings and employment data for 2016 and 2017 graduates. This report revealedthat the Arkansas Northeastern College leads all colleges and universities in Arkansas in terms of the average full-time wages for certificate of proficiency and technical certificate graduates with averages of $40,303 and $41,241, respectively, during students’ first year of employment. These programs are short-term programs where students can earn the credential in a year or even a semester. 

In terms of overall (full-time & part-time) wages, ANC’s associate degree graduates’ earnings exceed all bachelor degree overall wage averages of every public university except the medical school at UAMS. The data also revealed that ANC performs well above the State average for community colleges in every wage and employment rate measure. The first-year, full-time wage average of ANC’s Steel Tech associate degree graduates at $89,583 exceeds the first-year, full-time wage averages of every bachelor program average at every university in Arkansas, including UAMS. Other ANC programs the highlighted include the average full-time wages of $53,554 for Nursing associate degree graduates, $62,335 for Paramedic technical certificate graduates, $58,193 for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration technical certificate graduates, $57,769 for Construction Technology certificate of proficiency graduates, and $56,937 for Emergency Medical Technician certificate of proficiency graduates. Additionally, ANC also offers the lowest tuition in the state. 

The Board was also given an enrollment report by ANC Director of Student Services Courtney Fisher. Enrollment numbers have remained steady and the headcount for this Spring Semester is 1,360 as compared to last Spring’s number of 1,367. The total number of credit hours this Spring is 11,593 as compared to 11,642 last Spring.

Several local employers have embraced the new Center for Allied Technologies as a preferred location for hiring events. Because these events draw large numbers of people beyond normal daily traffic, parking spaces have become an issue for ANC, requiring security personnel to shuttle individuals from more distant parking lots on the College grounds. The Board approved extending the current parking lot in front of the facility southward to add 38 parking spaces, each 10’ wide to match the width of current parking spaces. Additionally, the Board approved to expand the sidewalk immediately west of theparking lot. The timeframe for the project, depending upon dry weather, would begin in late March or early April. 

The Board approved acceptance of a grant made possible through the University of Texas at Austin, Charles A. Dana Center. The Strong Start to Finish Grant, available to Two-Year Colleges in Arkansas, is designed to help improve student completion in mathematics by establishing mathematics pathways that ensure that every student completes their first college-level mathematics course in one year or less. The Dana Center will collaborate with and provide technical assistance to participating institutions through workshops and direct access to Center subject matter experts. The Grant provides $10,000 over three years to help support our participation in the workshops, webinars, and other activities that support this initiative. 

ANC Vice President of Instruction Dr. Keith McClanahan reported that the College has been given the dates of March 7 & 8, 2022 for ANC’s Higher Learning Commission site visit for Re-Affirmation of Accreditation. Although the College has been preparing for this visit for the past eight years, even more focus is being given to efforts on things that the College will be required to address and provide the evidence of activity and success towards those activities. Currently, ANC has HLC work teams chosen from employees for each specificCriterion for Accreditation that will be investigated. The teams look at their assigned criterion, investigate how the College meets the Criterion, and then they will write narratives that explain how ANC has met the Criterion and Core Components, using the specific evidence identified to “prove” that the College indeed has met the Criterion. 

Executive Vice President/Chief Academic Officer June Walters provided a report on ANC’s Strategic Planning Process. As a part of the development of the strategic plan for the College, a Vision Statement was created for the College. The statement was developed through a college-wide process which included input from all employees. The vision statement reads, “A leader in transforming learning, lives and community through bold innovation.” A companion piece to the Mission Documents is the statement of Strategic Operational Goals for 2020-2025. These goals were developed by the Planning Task Force. Utilizing information collected from both internal and external stakeholders, the Operational Goals reflect the goals of the College but are stated in actionable terms. They were developed and are supported by faculty, staff, students, and the community. They will provide direction over the next 3 to 5 years for assessment, planning, budgeting, and resource allocation. The Board approved the College’s Mission Documents, including the Philosophy, Purposes, Mission, Goals, Vision Statement, and the Strategic Operational Goals for 2020-2025.

Before closing, the board elected its new officers for the 2020 year:

Chairman, Mr. Curtis Walker of Blytheville

Vice Chairman, Mr. Randy Scott of Blytheville

Secretary, Dr. Thomas Westbrook of Blytheville

ANC Student Snapshot - February 2020 - Nahrain Quhshi

Nahrain Quhshi is one of the ANC Student Snapshot recipients for February 2020.

𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗙𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘

𝗡𝗔𝗛𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗤𝗨𝗛𝗦𝗛𝗜, 𝗕𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲

Arkansas Northeastern College is proud to announce that Nahrain Quhshi has been named as one of the Student Snapshop students for the month of February. Nahrain is a Nursing student who was nominated by ANC Nursing Instructor Kim Wallace.

“Nahrain shows the utmost respect for both staff and peers. She is always willing to assist her peers in any way possible whether it be studying or performing a skill in the clinical setting. She is very attentive in her studies and strives hard to excel. In the clinical setting, she is very helpful with the residents and spends a lot of her time just talking to and allowing her resident time to reminisce about their past experiences,” says Wallace.

Quhshi enjoys the challenges of the nursing program and enjoys being able to help others. “I chose to lead my way into the nursing field because healthcare will always have a special place in my heart. I always envisioned myself taking on a career that can challenge and interest me every day. I want to be able to connect with others in times of difficulty and to be able to help change their lives through healing. I aspire to become a registered nurse because I know that this career path would leave me feeling constantly satisfied and inspired.”

Arkansas Northeastern College provides Quhshi with a new environment in which she can grow and learn. “I was born and raised in Michigan, so moving to Arkansas was a far stretch from home, nonetheless I consider this place to be a new home to my future endeavors. I am a dedicated and passionate Middle Eastern female, who likes to take on any challenge that comes my way.”

Quhshi is flourishing in her current endeavors and seems to enjoy pursuing her dreams and aspirations, but she still makes time for her hobbies. When she is not studying or learning, she likes to spend time in the kitchen cooking and baking. She is also involved in the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society as well as the Phi Kappa Phi Society and the ANC Student Nursing Club. “I help volunteer when I can by trying to be more helpful to the community,” added Quhshi.

ANC’s Nursing Program has a reputation for producing excellent nurses with an extremely high first-time pass rate on their State Boards. This success does not always come easy, but the reward is worth the work, and Quhshi says that her classes have prepared her for the challenging coursework in the program.

“My favorite classes are Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2. These classes really prepared me for the nursing program. The lectures and labs prepared me for what is yet to come with the reality of dealing with the human body. I deeply appreciate the hands-on learning experience that introduced me to become more passionate about nursing. This course wouldn’t be the same without the wonderful instructor, Mrs. Rayder. She inspired me to understand the truth about hard work and that learning is much more than just a letter grade. It is understanding the material and applying it to real life. She encouraged me to accept every challenge that came my way and take them down one by one turning every weakness into a strength.”

The learning and experiences she is gaining now will help her in meeting her goal of eventually earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Through it all, she recognizes that ANC is helping her reach her goals.

“This college gave me the ability to be the person I am today by pushing me to perform my best in all ways possible. Each class that I took gave me a brief experience to new opportunities and new doors that led me to choose my major.”

ANC Student Snapshot - January 2020 - Bobbi Griffin

January 2020 ANC Student Snapshot recipient, Bobbie Griffin

𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗝𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗡, 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲

Bobbie Griffin of Caruthersville has been named one of Arkansas Northeastern College’s Student Snapshot Recipients for January. Griffin was nominated by ANC Instructor in Art Holt Brasher.

Griffin is working toward her Associate in Arts Degree at ANC with plans to transfer to a four-year university to complete her bachelor’s degree in the future. She plans to become an occupational therapist and has found Arkansas Northeastern College to be a wonderful place to begin her education. “I chose ANC because I felt like it was the best fit for me. It’s really close to home and super affordable. To be completely honest, after high school I wasn’t prepared to go off to a huge four-year university. ANC was the best choice for me.”

Brasher, who nominated Griffin for the Student Snapshot recognition, has seen her evolve throughout the fall semester and has become a model student. “Bobbie can be very shy, but given the opportunity she has bloomed over the semester so far and gives it her all. She’s kind to her classmates and has become one of the voices I hear a lot. Her work is top notch, she makes A’s consistently and does so while being enjoyable, kind, and part of the class. She’s a student whom I wish many would model themselves after due to her courtesy, compassion, and willingness to learn. She even will sometimes speak after class to further her knowledge,” said Brasher.

While Griffin has emerged as an excellent ANC student, she acknowledges that the idea of college was a bit scary to her at first. “I started college right out of high school. I was 17 at the time and extremely nervous and excited. A lot of people couldn’t believe that I was going straight to college with no break in between. I’ve always been super driven, and just excited to learn and grow as I go along. I have the best family support system behind me and I always have. I try not to let anything in my personal life get in the way of my dreams.”

In addition to excelling in the classroom, Griffin has become involved in a couple of student organizations at ANC. She is a member of the Life Line Club. Lifeline Student Outreach is a service and awareness group. The main purpose is to identify and serve students with a specific need, whether academic, physical, medical, financial or individual and work, toward total awareness on the part of others. She is also a member of the Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society. “Both of these organizations helped get me involved with the community and just helping others who are in need. It is a real honor to be a part of them both and being around genuinely nice people who want to see me succeed,” added Griffin.

Griffin has excellent advice for those considering college, “Choosing where to attend college can be super stressful, but my best advice to those who are having trouble would be to just go with your gut. If that school has everything that you want, go for it. Try not to let anyone interfere with your decision. Decide what is best for you and your future.”

Fortunately, Bobbie Griffin has found that Arkansas Northeastern College has everything she wants, and she is thriving in college.

ANC Student Snapshot - January 2020 - Nikki Pearson

ANC Student Snapshot recipient for January 2020, Nikki Pearson

𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗝𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘
𝗡𝗜𝗞𝗞𝗜 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮

Arkansas Northeastern College is proud to announce Nikki Pearson as one of its
Student Snapshot recipients for January. Pearson, a Manila native, is majoring in
nursing and was nominated by ANC Nursing Instructor Dr. Kim Weathers.

“Nikki is always very well prepared for class and presents herself in a professional
and thoughtful manner. She continuously thinks of new and innovative ideas of ways
the class can reach out to the community,” said Weathers.

Pearson says she chose the Associate Degree Nursing Program because she wants
to help people and because nursing is ingrained in her as she has generations of
nurses in her family. Still, she has explored other interests and nursing will become
her third career. She became a hairdresser at 17 followed by a career as a flight
attendant for United Airlines before deciding to become a nurse.

She is excited about this new phase in her life, and enjoys her time outside of the
classroom. “I am a married mother of two fantastic boys. I love adventure, meeting
new people, and yard work.”

Arkansas Northeastern College was the perfect choice for Pearson. She
cites its closeness to home, affordability, and small class sizes as her
primary reasons for choosing to attend ANC, which is the beginning of her
new career goals. “I plan to continue my nursing education to possibly
earn a master’s degree. I am unsure of which exact field I’d like to work in,
but so far I have enjoyed the Post Anesthesia Care Unit and Labor and
Delivery. I plan to work at St. Bernard’s,” added Pearson.

Pearson touts ANC faculty for providing excellent instruction that really prepares
students for wonderful careers. “My favorite classes so far at ANC have been
Anatomy and Physiology I and II. Mrs. Rayder provided the foundation on
the study of the human body, which has proven invaluable to me in the
nursing program.”

While Pearson admits that the program is rigorous, she acknowledges that the
instructors care about students. “My advice to those considering college is to
start at ANC. The faculty care so much about their students’ success.”

In addition to her studies, Pearson is actively involved in the ADN Student Nurse Club
and has participated in free community health fairs as well as being a part of fund-
raisers for worthwhile organizations such as the Humane Society and LeBonheur
Children’s Hospital.

Overall, Pearson has had a great experience as a student at Arkansas
Northeastern College. She is preparing for an excellent career and understands
the struggle of being a parent and a student, but recognizes the future rewards
to her current sacrifices.

“To anyone who thinks they are too old, or too busy to get an education; I have
to say if I can do it you can. It’s hard work but it’s attainable. I like to will things
into existence so I’m a firm believer in making a claim on your future and it WILL
happen!”

ANC Student Snapshot - December 2019 - Shannon Dover

ANC Student Snapshot recipient for December 2019, Shannon Dover

𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘

𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥, 𝗟𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼

Shannon Dover of Lepanto has been named one of Arkansas Northeastern College’s Student Snapshot Recipients for December. Dover was nominated by ANC Instructor in Office Management Tamatha Dudley and Assistant Professor in English Lanice Samford.

Dover, an Office Management and Business major, chose her field of study after working in an office for over 10 years. “I have always wanted a degree, and I knew the Office Management and Business Degrees were programs of study where I could excel. Office work is just something that I am good at and enjoy,” said Dover. 

Dover is excited about her educational path and plans to complete her Associate of General Studies in Computer Technologies Degree by December 2020 then her Associate in Office Management and Business Degree the following May 2021. Her enthusiasm extends to the classroom where she excels. “Shannon is in two of my classes: Business English and Business Communications. She is dependable, always attends class, attentive, and responsible. Shannon is pleasant and eager to do the work. She wants to learn, and I cannot say enough good things about this excellent student,” said Samford.

Samford’s sentiments are echoed by Dudley who also nominated Dover for the snapshot recognition. “Shannon is a very dedicated and bright student. She excels in all of her classes. She goes above and beyond what is required of her and is always willing to lend a helping hand,” said Dudley.

Dover, who is married with 21 year old daughter and 16 year old son, found the perfect place in Arkansas Northeastern College to reach her educational goals.

“I chose ANC because it was local, affordable, and I could take online classes. After attending ANC, I have come to love the student to teacher ratio. The classes are smaller than the big universities and the teachers actually care and want to help you through the class. The campus feels like a community, which makes it more comfortable to go to every day,” added Dover. 

Dover, who has a 4.0 grade point average, is becoming an active student on campus.  She is a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society where she serves as the points secretary.

While Dover plans to find an enjoyable job with a large business or in a healthcare office after graduation, she is soaking up the experiences she is gaining in the classroom now. “My favorite class this semester is Computerized Accounting. I am good at math and love working on the computer,” said Dover, who added, “This is the first semester that I have attended live classes at the college. Before I only took online classes. It has been a great experience coming to ANC every day for classes. It doesn't matter your age, everyone makes you feel like you belong.”  

Dover has excellent advice for those considering college, “ANC is a great place to start your college career. It helps you to understand college life and classes easier than a big university can teach you. At big universities, you're just a number and nothing else. At ANC you feel like you matter and ANC offers great degrees that can take you far in this area.”

ANC Student Snapshot - December 2019 - Erika Hastings

ANC Student Snapshot recipient for December 2019, Erika Hastings

𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘

𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗔 𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦, 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗲, 𝗠𝗢

Arkansas Northeastern College is proud to announce Erika Hastings as one of its Student Snapshot Recipients for December. Erika is a Childhood Education Major from Steele, Missouri and was nominated by ANC Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Education Ryan Perkins.

“From the beginning, when I met her, she knew her degree plan and what she has to do. She always puts maximum effort into her assignments and sets the bar many times each week. She is always enthusiastic and has a very contagious attitude. Erika is going to make an excellent teacher in the near future,” said Perkins.

Erika is a very good example of how students can meet their goals in a timely way if they have a plan from the beginning. ANC provides excellent advising to help students find the appropriate educational track so that they are in the classes they need each semester. Erika is a very motivated student who began pursuing her goals early and should complete her Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood this spring. “I am 19 years old. I plan to graduate ANC in the Spring of 2020 then plan to transfer and work towards my bachelor’s degree. I graduated from South Pemiscot in 2018. I work part-time as a bank teller which I have been with for a year while I attend ANC full time,” said Hastings who said she chose her major because she always wanted to be a teacher. “When I was growing up I always wanted to be a teacher or an accountant. It was always between those two majors and when I started getting older I just knew teaching is something I would enjoy more.”

Since taking education classes, her love for the field has only grown. She credits Perkins for providing guidance to keep students engaged and help them understand what it will be like as a teacher in the classroom.

“My favorite class so far has been Intro to Teaching with Mr. Ryan Perkins. I took this class this semester, and it was a great class for beginners wanting to become a teacher. This is where you complete your field I observation when becoming a teacher and you get placed at a school (he aims for your choice if possible) and you have to observe 30 hours and even get to teach a mini-lesson to the grade that you are planning on teaching. It gives a more hands-on experience and helps you decide if teaching is really something you want to do.”

While Perkins sings Hasting’s accolades, he is not the only one to notice her excel. These opportunities for her to observe in the classroom have also proven to be an opportunity for her to be observed as well.

“Erika’s cooperating teacher at her field one placement in Armorel sought me out just to tell me how amazing she is. She said that Erika always asks the right questions, seeks knowledge, and is going to make a very good teacher one day. She was so glad Erika was placed with her for the field one experience. So, she is making herself known not only here at ANC, but in our community and schools that ANC networks with,” said Perkins.

Hastings, who bolsters a 3.85 grade point average chose ANC because it was close to home and offered her the best options to reach her educational goals. She offers advice for other students considering college.

“My advice for students trying to decide where to attend college is to stick with your gut feeling. Choose the college that has the best benefits to offer. Never choose a college just because someone else wants you to go there, do what is best for you!”