University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
 | |
Former names | Petit Jean Vocational Technical School, Petit Jean Technical College, Petit Jean College |
|---|---|
| Type | Community college |
| Established | 1961 |
| Chancellor | Dr. Larry Davis |
| Vice-Chancellor | Dr. Linda Birkner, Diana Arn, Darren Jones |
| Undergraduates | 2,423 |
| Location |
Morrilton, Arkansas, United States 35°10′20″N 92°43′46″W / 35.17221°N 92.72950°WCoordinates: 35°10′20″N 92°43′46″W / 35.17221°N 92.72950°W |
| Colors | Red and black |
| Mascot | Timberwolves |
| Affiliations | University of Arkansas System |
| Website | http://www.uaccm.edu |
The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) is a two-year, state-supported institution which offers university-transfer and career-specific training programs, as well as adult education, workforce education, and community outreach programs.
UACCM is nationally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
College History
The 1961 Arkansas General Assembly established Petit Jean Vo-Tech as the state’s second adult vocational-technical school. The first building was completed in July 1963 and classes began in September. The school initially awarded diplomas in occupational-specific areas.
In 1991, the General Assembly converted Petit Jean Vo-Tech to a degree granting two-year college, Petit Jean Technical College. The conversion permitted expansion of the curriculum to include technical, academic & workforce education; community education; and adult education. In 1997, the College again made a name change to Petit Jean College. Finally, in 2001, Petit Jean College merged with the University of Arkansas System and became the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.
UACCM currently consists of 74 acres (300,000 m2) with 14 educational buildings and various support facilities.
Location
UACCM is located along Interstate 40 approximately 50 miles (80 km) west of Little Rock in the town of Morrilton in Conway County, Arkansas.
Students
In the fall 2009 semester, UACCM served 2,423 total credit students, marking a 24 percent increase over fall 2008 numbers. Of those students, 76 percent were considered full-time (enrolling in 12 or more credit hours per semester), and 24 percent were considered part-time. The student body was made of 38 percent male and 62 percent female. The average student age in the fall 2009 semester was 25.
Since UACCM's last year as a vocational technical school in 1990, overall enrollment has grown nearly 670 percent, with the student population doubling in size since merging with the University of Arkansas System in 2001.
Degrees and Certifications Offered
Associate of Arts and Science Degrees
Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees designed for university transfer are offered with focus areas in Art, Business, Computer Information Science, English, General Education, Surveying Technology, Teaching (early childhood education P-4), and Teaching (middle school math/science or language arts/social studies).
Associate of Applied Science Degrees and Certificates
Associate of Applied Science degrees, Technical Certificates and Certificates of Proficiency designed for immediate entry into the job market are offered in the areas of Accounting, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Automotive Collision Repair, Automotive Technology, Business Office Technology, Computer Information Systems, Dietary Management, Drafting, Early Childhood Development, Emergency Medical Technology-Basic, Graphic Design, Nursing Assistant, Petroleum Technology, Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing, Retail Marketing, Surveying, and Welding.
Unique degree programs
UACCM offers the only associate of applied science degrees in Arkansas in the areas of surveying and petroleum technology. The Petroleum Technology Program was created in 2006 in response to growth and development in the Fayetteville Shale Play, an area of natural gas exploration in Arkansas.
UACCM Enrollment Growth in The News
The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton was ranked as one of the “Top 50 Fastest-Growing Public Two-Year Colleges in the United States” in the category of colleges with enrollments of fewer than 2,500 students. The ranking appears in the December 4, 2006 edition of Community College Week , the nation’s weekly newspaper covering two-year colleges. The publication based its rankings on analysis of U.S. Department of Education data regarding percent growth in headcount from fall 2004 to fall 2005. UACCM experienced a 15 percent increase in enrollment during this time period.
Notable alumni
- Sue Scott, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Rogers since 2013
Notable faculty
- Rick Beck, adjunct professor and advisory board member, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Conway and Perry counties