Aerial Lineman Training Center at UA Cossatot Holds Grand Opening in De Queen

The University of Arkansas Cossatot hosted a grand opening event at its Aerial Lineman Training Center in De Queen on Thursday, February 1. UAC Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole welcomed the crowd, including the current aerial lineman class and community and industry leaders. Dr. Cole explained the program’s history and the extensive efforts invested in its establishment, saying, “Short-term programs that give people wonderful skills and employees that want to hire them after four weeks of training, that a huge part of the future of Arkansas.” In addition, Dr. Cole announced the college had written a multi-million dollar grant to establish a fiber optic network engineering program at UA Cossatot. In Cole’s words, “We think this would be a perfect way to augment what we are already doing with the Aerial Lineman program.”

Among the guest speakers was Stephanie Isaacs, Director of the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, who discussed the partnership with UA Cossatot and her office’s role in procuring essential trucks and equipment for the program.

Rick Giesler, Division Director of Compliance with Ervin Cable Construction, told the audience, “Programs like this are instrumental in us being able to make our industry safer, to make our industry a better place, to drive better wages so these young people can have a home.”

Scottie Morris, co-creator of the curriculum with Luke Ervin of Ervin Cable Construction and Jeff Tollett of Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative, talked about his role in starting the program. He said the day after he retired, he received a call from Dr. Cole, who asked him to come on board to help the college train aerial linemen. Morris agreed, and a former parking lot near the UAC Amphitheater was picked as the site for the pole-training yard. In Morris’ closing remarks, he said, “I believe a lot of good things will come out of this lot.”

Representatives from Bridgepoint Communications, Systems Services Broadband, Ervin Cable Construction, Four States Fiber Internet, NEA Construction, and Desert Media Group were among the attendees. Notable figures such as State Representative Deann Vaught, Kyla Waters, Arkansas Community Colleges Center for Workforce Director, and Kamelle Gomez from the Arkansas State Broadband Office attended.

The Aerial Lineman Program at UA Cossatot is currently under the direction of Dennis Davis. He has over 43 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and utilizes a combination of classroom and hands-on field experiences co-designed with employers to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they seek when hiring an aerial lineman to install, maintain, and repair telecommunications infrastructure.

UA Cossatot is an Arkansas Fiber Academy training location. The Arkansas Fiber Academy is a partnership between Arkansas Community Colleges, the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, and the Arkansas State Broadband Office.

To find out more about the UA Cossatot Aerial Lineman Training program, visit www.cccua.edu or contact Continuing Education Services at ContinuingEducation@cccua.edu or (870) 584-1178.

UA Cossatot OER Director Relinda Ruth chosen to represent the University of Arkansas System on U.S. / Canada OER Panel

OER Specialist Relinda Ruth

After reviewing the Driving OER Sustainability for Student Success (DOERS3) statement of purpose and agreeing with the goals of broad-based, accessible open educational resources (OER), the University of Arkansas System joined the group of 36 public higher education systems and statewide/provincewide organizations committed to supporting student success through OER. UA System President Donald Bobbitt recommended UA Cossatot’s Director of Educational Resources and OER Specialist Relinda Ruth to represent the UA System in DOERS3.

“I am extremely honored that Dr. Bobbitt selected me to represent the UA System within a group committed to developing national and state innovation in OER research, policy, and quality, and I’m looking forward to representing the System in a collaborated effort to improve access, affordability, and achievement for millions of students.” Ruth said, “At UA Cossatot, our OER program has saved students $190,440 during the Fall 2023 semester. Since the implementation of our efforts to reduce or eliminate textbook and educational resource costs for our students in 2015, total savings now amount to $3,387,521.25. We anticipate the savings to top $3.5 million after the Spring 2024 semester.”

The Driving OER Sustainability for Student Success (DOERS3) Collaborative is a group of 36 public higher education systems and statewide/provincewide organizations committed to supporting student success by promoting free, customizable, open educational resources (OER). Launched in 2018, DOERS3 helps member organizations implement, scale, and sustain OER by advancing research and policy, sharing tools and learnings, and showing how OER can foster equity and student success. DOERS3 serves over 7.65 million students at 829 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada.

UA Cossatot Receives Grant from the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact name: Sarah Chesshir
Phone: 870-584-1338
Email: schesshir@cccua.edu

UA Cossatot has received a $3,500 grant from the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund to support its Industrial Maintenance program.

Sarah Chesshir, Division Chair of Professional and Technical Programs, stated the funds would be used to host a recruiting event to showcase UA Cossatot’s Lockesburg Industrial Maintenance Institute (LIMI) and to recruit students into the robust program. The event will be held in 2024, and the public will be invited to attend. UA Cossatot will have advisors, faculty, and staff in attendance to help answer questions, provide tours, and enroll future students. Attendees will receive a free t-shirt and will be entered into a drawing for door prizes. They will also have a chance to win a $250 scholarship. More details will be provided closer to the date.

Housed in Lockesburg, AR, the Industrial Maintenance program provides students with the skills needed to perform general maintenance duties required in an industrial setting with increased employment opportunities. Students will earn stackable credentials. Certificates of Proficiency in Mechanical Devices, Hydraulics and Pneumatics, Industrial Motor Controls, Programmable Controls, and Welding will lead to Technical Certificates in Industrial Technology and Industrial Electricity. All hours will apply toward the Associate of Applied Science in General Technology degree.

“We recognize that there is a very high demand for workers with these skillsets, so we are excited to use this grant to help supply the workforce with skilled laborers.,” Chesshir said.

In both rural and urban settings, the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund supports hundreds of important organizations and programs in the communities where they operate with funding, time, expertise, and resources. Weyerhaeuser made its first charitable donation in 1903 and has provided more than $260 million in grants through its formal giving program, which was established in 1948.

More information on the Weyerhaeuser grant application process is available online at www.WY.com

UA Cossatot Selected for OpenStax OER Institutional Partner Program

Less than a year after UA Cossatot announced that it saved students a total of $3.2 million through its textbook rental program and open educational resources (OER) initiative, it has been selected as one of only sixteen institutions in the U.S. for the 2023-24 OpenStax OER Institutional Partner Program.

UA Cossatot leads Arkansas in OER usage, with 71 percent of courses using open resources, and was selected to participate in this national strategic partnership after a rigorous application process that demonstrated a willingness to continue its commitment to lowering student costs through the state’s first internal textbook rental and OER program. UA Cossatot will receive individualized consulting and support from experts in institutional change management and strategic initiatives designed to increase campus use of free, openly licensed OpenStax textbooks and other open educational resources.

“Being selected to participate in OpenStax’s Institutional Partner Program is quite an honor and just one more way in which we strengthen our role as the state’s OER leader and expand our OER initiative to promote an even wider and richer stage for open education,” said OER Specialist and Director of Educational Resources Relinda Ruth.

UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole commented,” We decided over six years ago to commit our college to saving our students money, and one of the best ways to do this was to provide Open Educational Resources. During this time, with the help of our OER Director and our faculty, we have converted almost 70% percent of all of our courses to OER, saving our students over three million dollars on textbook costs. We are proud of those efforts and will continue to lead the way in developing more OER opportunities.”

OpenStax is a nonprofit charitable corporation based out of Rice University that publishes high-quality, peer-reviewed, openly licensed college textbooks that are freely available online and low-cost in print. Their textbooks are used in 60 percent of colleges and universities in the U.S. and over 140 countries. Institutional partners typically increase the number of students using OER by over 150 percent after completing the first year of the program. During the last two years, partner institutions have saved students $19.6 million.

Director Ruth also leads the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Arkansas State OER Action Team and serves on the SREB’s Educational Technology Cooperative. Having just completed an intensive online year-long professional program in open education through Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, British Columbia, she will be traveling to Edmonton, Canada, and Washington D.C. during October to learn more about ways in which to support open education. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education invited Ruth to speak at the 2023 Oklahoma OER Summit in Midwest City in November.

UA Cossatot Collegiate FFA receives Living to Serve Grant from National FFA Organization

INDIANAPOLIS (September 21, 2023/National FFA Organization) – The UA Cossatot Collegiate FFA chapter in De Queen, Arkansas has been awarded a Fall Semester-Long Living to Serve Grant in the amount of $1200. The nationwide program provides grant money to local FFA chapters to support semester-long service-learning projects that address needs related to community safety; environmental responsibility; hunger, health and nutrition; and community engagement during the fall semester. 

UA Cossatot Collegiate FFA plans to use grant funds for education and outreach about alternative therapies, such as laser and red light therapy, for horses, livestock, and pets. Agriculture faculty, Kelli Harris, and students will provide no-cost educational demonstrations to the public about these therapies and how they can benefit animals. They will also be partnering with Running WJ Ranch in Texarkana, Texas to provide free services for their horses. 

Red light and laser therapy is a safe and effective treatment for a variety of conditions in animals, including pain relief, inflammation, wound healing, and skin conditions. It works by stimulating cellular activity and increasing blood flow to the treated area. 

The program provided over $75,000 to FFA chapters in 28 states. The 2023 Fall Semester-Long Living to Serve Grants are sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Cargill. For more information and a complete listing of sponsors, visit FFA.org/livingtoserve. 

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

UA Cossatot chosen as #1 Best Community College in Arkansas

Best Accredited Community Colleges in Arkansas

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

https://www.bestcolleges.com/united-states/arkansas/community-colleges/

How We Rank Schools

At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We want to help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.

Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our ranking methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.

NIFA Invests $4.7 Million in Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges (AFRI A7601)

The Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges (AWT) program area within the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative seeks to develop a workforce ready for the field as well as industry jobs in the food and agricultural sector. Through the development of new workforce training programs, or the expansion, improvement or renewal of existing workforce training programs at community, junior and technical colleges/institutes, this program will expand job-based, experiential learning opportunities, acquisition of industry-accepted credentials and occupational competencies for students to enable a work-ready labor force for the 21st century.

Explore Funded Projects

2022 Awardees

• California State University, Northridge

• Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

• CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy

• Houston Community College

• Kingsborough Community College

• Mitchell Technical Institute

• Prince William Sound College

• Rhodes State College

• Tallahassee Community College

• University of Puerto Rico at Utuado

  https://www.nifa.usda.gov/about-nifa/announcements/nifa-invests-47-million-agricultural-workforce-training-community-colleges

OER Digest lists UA Cossatot in Stories from the Field

UA Cossatot made the OER Digest again! The OER Digest is a monthly newsletter for open education created in 2015 by Creative Commons USA, SPARC, and the Student PIRGs. While the primary audience is the OER community in the U.S. and Canada, subscribers come from around the globe.

UA Cossatot is listed in “Stories from the Field” right along with Michigan and Ireland.

STORIES FROM THE FIELD

Quick snapshots of those making change on the ground level, and those impacted

FROM MICHIGAN: Northern Michigan University has established an Open Educational Resource (OER) Faculty Learning Community. This pioneering initiative is part of a two-year pilot program aimed at promoting widespread OER adoption across campus and facilitating professional development opportunities. Reflecting the university's commitment to accessibility, this community of faculty members is working to revolutionize higher education. Leslie Warren, interim associate provost and dean of Library and Instructional Support, remarked, "The open education resource movement is another way that faculty can remove barriers and support students." With Olson Library and the Center for Teaching and Learning leading the charge, Northern Michigan University takes pride in laying the groundwork for OER, striving to reduce textbook costs, enhance affordability, bridge equity gaps, and empower more students to successfully complete their degrees.

FROM IRELAND: Dundalk Institute of Technology’s National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education recently received an esteemed UNESCO Prize. Their work developing the National Resource Hub and Open Courses was recognized and applauded. One of the members of the team, Dr. Ronan Bree played an instrumental role in the development of the National Resource Hub, a user-friendly platform facilitating engagement with open educational resources across the sector. He shared how “The National Resource Hub…offers opportunities for anyone to submit and access open educational resources… in any form, and in any media format.” This hub makes accessing and sharing OER easier than ever. The goal of this project is to support Irish Higher Education and contribute to transformative education.

FROM ARKANSAS: Since launching its Open Educational Resource program in 2015, the University of Arkansas Cossatot has made strides in saving students textbook costs. The college has successfully saved students a total of $3,197,081.25 to date, with each academic year showing notable savings. Educational Resources Director and OER Specialist Relinda Ruth, who chairs the Arkansas OER Taskforce, stated “Saving our students nearly 3.2 million in textbook expenses is one way UA Cossatot shows its commitment to student success… we’re excited to look at more open educational practices like open pedagogies, scholarship, and educational technologies that will continue to make higher education more accessible to students.” As UA Cossatot prepares to begin the fall 2023 semester, an impressive 71% of courses will offer OER options, ensuring continued benefits for students.

Samaritan Fields Soccer Complex Holds First Board Meeting, Elects New Officers

Drone photo of Samaritan Fields taken in November 2022 by Jon Bunyard

June 19, 2023

Samaritan Fields, a 501c3 non-profit entity, held its first official organizational meeting last Tuesday on the DeQueen campus of UA Cossatot. Samaritan Fields is a culmination of several years of work to bring world-class soccer and wellness facilities to DeQueen and the surrounding area.

The meeting was held to put the official board and elected officers in place to launch the work that needs to be completed to start hosting competitive soccer events on all five fields. The inaugural board consists of Esteban Ochoa (Chair), Tony Soto (Vice Chair), Franklin Bahena (Secretary/Treasurer), Greg Revels, Angie Walker, Justin Hinman, and Steve Cole.

Esteban Ochoa, better known locally as “EO,” started to develop Samaritan Fields several years ago and says it is now time for DeQueen to take on a leadership role in soccer statewide, “We’ve been known as the epicenter of soccer for many years, but never had a soccer complex to showcase to the world what soccer looks like in DeQueen. These fields will provide opportunities for thousands of children and adults by offering camps, classes, and competitive leagues for all ages”.

The first official practices and games that will be played at Samaritan Fields will be for the UA Cossatot men’s and women’s soccer teams, which will begin competitive play this August, according to UA Cossatot Head Coach Justin Hinman, “Growing up in Little Rock, I always heard how DeQueen was a special place for soccer, and now that I live in DeQueen, I can see how true that is. Over the past several months, we have been recruiting college athletes worldwide to come and play their collegiate soccer in DeQueen. Now we will have facilities that will be the envy of every community.

The Samaritan Fields complex is currently under construction, but progress is expected to move quickly as the fields are prepared for soccer this fall. Samaritan Fields, when completed, will have five different fields, one main field for UA Cossatot Colts soccer and Championship-level tournaments, bleacher seating for fans, parking, an entire indoor workout facility, and spaces for food trucks.

To learn more about tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities at Samaritan Fields, contact EO at 870-584-9928. Employers interested in sponsoring additional students may contact Workforce Development at 870-584-1136 or Workforce@cccua.edu.

Dr. Randy Walker Clinic to Sponsor Clinical Medical Assistant Students

June 12, 2023

The Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice and Allergy Clinic has partnered with UA Cossatot to offer full sponsorships for the college’s Clinical Medical Assistant Program. Walker will award over $25,000 in sponsorships for the 160-hour workforce development program designed to prepare students to function as professionals in multiple healthcare settings.

Angie Walker, with Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice and Allergy Clinic, said, “Our goal is to expand access to training and grow the workforce for healthcare employers in the region.”

The program will prepare learners to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office. Instruction includes preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, taking and documenting vital signs, technical aspects of phlebotomy, the 12-lead EKG and the cardiac life cycle. The purpose of the Clinical Medical Assisting program is to prepare learners to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office.

Training is open to candidates with a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) Certification and will be delivered in a hybrid format consisting of a combination of instructor-led online sessions and hands-on lab sessions August 14 – December 7, 2023. Classes will meet Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 – 9:00 PM.

Graduates will be awarded a Career Training Certificate and 16 Continuing Education Units. Successful completers will also be eligible to take the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Clinical Medical Assistant (CMAC) and National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exams.

UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “Partnerships between higher-education institutions and employers, like Dr. Walker, improve the prosperity of individuals, businesses, and communities. UA Cossatot will continue to look for and offer short-term certificate training that will lead to jobs, good jobs in our region that students can train for in a very short time.”

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or enroll, contact Continuing Education at 870-584-1178 or ContinuingEducation@cccua.edu. Employers interested in sponsoring additional students may contact Workforce Development at 870-584-1136 or Workforce@cccua.edu

UA Cossatot Spring 2023 Graduates

UA Cossatot Spring 2023 graduation ceremonies were held recently at the Bank of Lockesburg Historic Gymnasium. A total of 194 students were awarded a range of degrees and certificates. Included in the 194, were 39 students who earned college credit while attending high school in a number of Southwest Arkansas communities. UAC Spring 2023 graduates include:

ALLEENE: Ethan Jones, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

AMITY: Eufemia Estrada, Technical Certificate: Accounting, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting, Technical Certificate: Business Management, Certificate of Proficiency: Business Management

Joseph Galloway, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices

Kenyon Turner, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

ANTOINE: Jessi Dugger, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

ASHDOWN: Jamie Adams-Smith, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant

Ty Buchanan, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology

Logan Fisher, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Michael Wayne Friday, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency, Programmable Controls

Zulma Gonzalez, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology

Veronica, Hall, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6

Kenneth Purtell, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of Science: Psychology

Kasie Robinson, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6

Kimberly Strube, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding

Vonee Thomas, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Samantha Trotter, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Emma Wrinkle, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant, Associate of Science:

Teaching K-6

BROKEN BOW: Jazmayn Johnson, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology

COVE: Ricardo Maldonado, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance

DE QUEEN: Wilber Abarca, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices

Mayra Aguilar, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting

Jan Aguilar, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Deciredh Alvarez, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies: General Studies

Rodrigo Arroyo, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, Technical Certificate: Welding

Adolfo Barreto, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding

Saul Barron, Technical Certificate: Automotive & Diesel Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance

Arlette Briones, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Tucker Brown, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, Technical Certificate: Welding

Cristina Camacho, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Hailey Carter, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Karla Castro, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency, SMAW Welding

Clyde Chandler, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls

Jose Cortes, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting

Kaylee Coto, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Miranda Coto, Associate of General Studies, General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6

Jera, Cotten, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Ismael Cristobal, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Abisai De Jesus, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding

Jorge Delgado Ocampo, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Kevin Denova, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Laura Dooley, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Shawn Eastman, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Oscar Fernandez, Technical Certificate: Pipe Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GTAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW Stainless Steel

Edgar Ferretiz, Technical Certificate: Pipe Welding, Certificate of Proficiency, Pipe Welding GTAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW Stainless Steel

Kayla Fuller, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Edith Garcia, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts, Associate of General Studies

Edwin Garcia, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding

Ercilia Gomez, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Dieon Gonzalez, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Carlos Gonzalez Rodriguez, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices

Angie Hernandez, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Associate of Science: Teaching K-6

Esmeralda Hernandez, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts, Associate of Science: STEM

Johnathan Hernandez, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Manuel Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, Technical Certificate: Welding

Victor Hernandez, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

Allen Hong, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts, Liberal Arts

Ashley Johnson, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Associate of Science: Teaching K-6,

Irata Kelen, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GMAW/FCAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW

Maximino Lemus, Associate of General Studies: General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

Erick Loredo, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding

Magdalena Lugo, Associate of General Studies, General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

Jair Marrufo, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology

Giovanni Mendez, Technical Certificate: Accounting

Yandel Mendez, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Dair Mendoza, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance

Aldon Moreno-Cruz, Technical Certificate: Pipe Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GTAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW Stainless Steel

Alexander Mosqueda, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency, TIG Welding, Technical Certificate: Welding

Ariana Ortiz, Associate of General Studies

Alex Pacheco, Technical Certificate: Pipe Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GTAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW Stainless Steel

Steven Peppers, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Fernando Perez, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Timothy Pham, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

Elijah Ramirez, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Sebastian Ramirez, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Jorty Ramirez, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding

Vorian Rehm, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GMAW/FCAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW

Luke Rogers, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, De Queen Technical Certificate: Welding

Eric Rojo, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Allan San Juan, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Misael Sanches, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls

Joshua Servante, Technical Certificate: Accounting, Associate of Applied Science: General Business

Joshua Soto, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Bryan Tapia, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Ulyses Tepozotlan, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls

Ivan Trejo, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls

Jackson Walker, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Jadeyn Walker, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies

Gage Woods, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Olivia Yandell, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Science: Middle Level Education, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

DIERKS: Nancy Diaz, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Kaytlynn Franklin, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies

Haylin Halcombe, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Justin Jackson Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

Kimberly McCauley, Associate of Science: Business, Associate of General Studies, General Studies, Associate of Science: Psychology, Associate of Science: STEM

Gary Robey, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

William Sirmon, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices

Allison Strasner, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Abigale Thomas, Associate of General Studies: General Studies

Jayda Young, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

FOREMAN: Caroline Beasley, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Zackery Carver, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Daniel Eyraud, Associate of Science: STEM,

Chase Gross, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Landon Lansdell, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls

Jessica Mustin, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies

GARVIN, OK: Hannah Honey, Technical Certificate: Agriculture, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology

GILLHAM: Joaquin Ambriz, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Colton Brantley, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Kasey Frachiseur, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Kevin Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding

Jasey Loredo, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

GLENWOOD: Keaton Cox, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology, Associate of Science: Natural Resources

Isai Felix, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting

Traemichael Samuel, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices

GRANNIS: James Brinkley, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Kayla Richardson, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

HORATIO: Johnathan Allen, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Melissa Arellano, Associate of General Studies

William Bradford, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Carson, Bright Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

Jose Carbajal, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Carrie Foreman, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Bryan Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Joseph Johnson, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering

Nicholas Marsden, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls

Kevin Quiroz, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Roberto Villeda Jr., Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW Stainless Steel

JACKSONVILLE: Esmerelda, Johnson, Associate of Science: Criminal Justice, Technical Certificate: General Studies

KIRBY: Jolie Brewer, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

LOCKESBURG: Nechelle Bell, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Ethan Clay, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Sabrina Cooke, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology

Cesar Cortes Espinoza, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Shalamar Dinger, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting

Emma Gilbert, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies

Harley Grooms, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering

Zane Moore, Certificate of Proficiency: Emergency Medical Technology

Brooklyn Roberts, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Daven Rodriguez, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

Valerie Smith, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology

Arrionna Stout, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts, Associate of Science: Psychology, Associate of Science: STEM

MENA: Cash Parker, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Heather Peterson, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering

MINERAL SPRINGS: Diana Garcia, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Alan Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices

Marco Jimenez, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls

Cristian Perez, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency, SMAW Welding

Keon Piggee, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

X'aivier Reed, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Rashonda Vaughn, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

LaToya Vaughn, Associate of Science: Psychology

MURFREESBORO: JohnAaron Legate, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls

NASHVILLE: Gavin Anderson, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Gloria Avila, Associate of General Studies: General Studies

Cesar Barajas, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering

James Brockman, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GMAW/FCAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding

Gilberto, Bustos Jr. , Technical Certificate , Teaching Assistant, Nashville

Esmeralda Camacho, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting, Associate of Science: Business, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Isai Camacho, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, Technical Certificate: Welding

Klair Castleberry, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Aiden Chapman, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, Technical Certificate: Welding

Reagan Cooley, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Garrett Ewing, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Emily Glass, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting, Associate of Science: Business, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Tyler Gordan, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Jerry Hernandez, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Megan Huffman, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Isaac Jamison, Certificate of Proficiency: Emergency Medical Technology

Jackson King, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls

Matthew McGilberry, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

Jessica Medina-Frias, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Yerania Neri-Garcia, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting

Zayda Orozco, Associate of Science: Criminal Justice, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Kortlan Parker, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, Technical Certificate: Welding

Hayden Patrick, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding

Mia Phan, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies

Litzy Pizarro, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Autumn Reed, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Candice Schooley, Associate of General Studies

Mark Sillavan, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Mason Sillavan, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices,

Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Shaniah Stephens, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Alexa Turner, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Wiley Washburn, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Weston White, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Kyrell Williams, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, Technical Certificate: Welding

Brenden Woodall, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, Technical Certificate: Welding

Haley Wright, Technical Certificate: Agriculture, Associate of Science: Agriculture Science, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology

NEWHOPE: Austin Greenwood, Technical Certificate: General Studies

OZAN: Heather Castle, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting

Daleigh Morris, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

TEXARKANA: Kayla Baker, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies

Crystal Hamilton, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Robert Haworth, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of General Studies, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

UMPIRE: Jenna Bray, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts

WICKES: Vanessa, Smith, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting

WINTHROP: April Klitz, Associate of Science: Agri Business, Technical Certificate: Agriculture, Associate of Science: Agriculture Science, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Riley Martin, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls

UA Cossatot Spring 2023 Honor Students

UA Cossatot’s Office of the Registrar recently released the Spring 2023 Chancellor’s List, Vice Chancellor’s List, and Spring 2023 Honor Graduates

51 students were named to the Chancellor’s List, maintaining a minimum of 4.0 semester GPA while taking a minimum of twelve college credit hours. 48 students were named on the Vice Chancellor’s list, maintaining a minimum of a 3.5 semester GPA while taking a minimum of twelve college credit hours.

In addition, 64 members of the Spring 2023 class graduated with honors. To earn Summa Cum Laude honors, graduates must attain a grade point average of 3.90–4.00. Summa Cum Laude graduates include: Caroline Beasley, Jenna Bray, Jolie Brewer, Isai Camacho, Klair Castleberry, Sabrina Cooke, Cesar Cortes Espinoza, Nancy Diaz, Edgar Ferretiz, Emma Gilbert, Zulma Gonzalez, Jonathan Hernandez, Allen Hong, Esmeralda Johnson, Jasey Laredo, Kimberly McCauley, Ariana Ortiz, Alex Pacheco, Kayla Richardson, Joshua Servante, and Arrionna Stout.

Magna Cum Laude honors were bestowed upon those students earning a grade point average of 3.75-3.89. Magna Cum Laude graduates include: Saul Barron, Jera Cotten, Jessi Duggar, Oscar Fernandez, Tyler Gordon, Robert Haworth, Alan Hernandez, Bryan Hernandez, Jackson King, Riley Martin, Daleigh Morris, Alexander Mosqueda, and Vonee Thomas.

Cum Laude graduates earned a grade point average of 3.50-3.74. Cum Laude graduates include: Carson Bright, Ty Buchanan, Esmeralda Camacho, Hailey Carter, Reagan Cooley, Miranda Coto, Abisai De Jesus, Daniel Eyraud, Joseph Galloway, Edith Garcia, Angie Hernandez, Manuel Hernandez, Esmeralda Hernandez, Victor Hernandez, Hannah Honey, Maximino Lemus, Jessica Mustin, Kortlan Parker, Timothy Pham, Litzy Pizarro, Kenneth Purtell, Brooklyn Roberts, Kasie Robinson, Luke Rogers, William Sirmon, Allison Strasner, Latoya Vaughn, Kyrell Williams, Haley Wright, and Emma Wrinkle.

UA Cossatot Spring 2023 Chancellor’s List:

AMITY: Anna Sutton, Brayden Taylor

ASHDOWN: Ty Buchanan, Michala Scarborough, Meagan Toliver, Charli Tompkins, Isabella Woolfley

BRYAN: Alexis Zarate-Hernandez

COVE: Deantha Gibbons, Katelyn McLain

DE QUEEN: Kylie Bailey, Elise Dean, Kevin Denova, Litzi Flores, Jacelyn Pham, Elaina Rivas, Jamileth Rueada, Nancy Santiago, Rachel Servante, McKenzie Simpson, Kobe Stafford, Jayme Barnes

DIERKS: Nancy Diaz, Kevin Herrington, Kayden Turner

FOREMAN: Landon Lansdell

GILLHAM: Angelica Aguilar, Kasey Frachiseur

GLENWOOD: Katie Clinton, Lauren Fortner, Knighten Richter, Emily Teague

HORATIO: Joseph Johnson, Nicholas Marsden, Saranenkhjin Williams

KIRBY: Montana Cook

LANGLEY: Taylor Kelley

LOCKESBURG: Lauren Carver, Trayton Carver, Jasie Miller, Charlisha Smith

MINERAL SPRINGS: Alan Hernandez, Kendyll McKinney

MURFREESBORO: Tammie Summers

NASHVILLE: Isai Camacho, Jessica Medina-Frias, Grace Myers, Kierstan Priddy, Karissa Ragland, Emily Wallis, Clair Castleberry

UA Cossatot Spring 2023 Vice Chancellor’s List:

AMITY: Kenyon Turner

ASHDOWN: Sara Bowman, Faith Green, Ashlynn Johnston, Thomas Ringgold, Candace McGee

BUCKNER: Abby Clark

DE QUEEN: Adolfo Barreto, Clyde Chandler, Kaylee Coto, Shawn Eastman, Cindy Maldonado, Jair Marrufo, Jesus Marrufo, Diego Martinez, Esperanza Martinez, Duran Morales, America

Quintana, Vorian Rehm, Alejandra Rodriguez, Carlos Rodriguez, Ana Servante, Kenlee ward, Gage Woods, Hernandez Vizueth

DIERKS: Jaiden Jackson, Kitreena Russell, William Sirmon, Misti Eudy

HORATIO: Demi Leonard

KIRBY: Easton Taylor

MENA: Heath Peterson

MURFREESBORO: Mackenzie Epperly, Johnaaron Legate, Jay Stuard, Jacey Saldona

NASHVILLE: James Brockman, Katie Cochran, Cynthia Herrara, Jenna Hostetler, Jennifer Medina-Frias, Lauren Mounts, Samuel Rodgers

OZAN: Heather Castle

TEXARKANA: Heather Cloud, Kimberly Leverett

WICKES: Emily Whisenhunt

###

The University of Arkansas Cossatot is a community college in Southwest Arkansas accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Offering technical certification and Associate degrees, UAC also collaborates with other colleges and universities to offer bachelor's degrees on its three campuses. UAC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965 and other Civil Rights laws and offers equal opportunity for admission and employment. Employment preference is given to applicants possessing a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) with all other qualifications being equal. Programs and activities of UAC are provided to all students without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, Vietnam era veteran or special disabled veteran status, or sex. Questions or concerns regarding affirmative action can be directed to the Compliance Officer, c/o UA Cossatot, 183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832. For Arkansas RELAY Voiced Services call 711 or 800-285-1121. Visit www.cccua.edu for more information.

UA Cossatot Scholarship Presentation in Foreman, AR

Misty Eudy of UA Cossatot presented John Critchlow of Foreman the UA Cossatot Scholarship Tuesday night at Foreman High School.

Well Rooted Homesteading Conference draws 200-plus farmers, families for workshops on sustainable living

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

ASHDOWN, Ark. — Hundreds of farmers, growers and home gardeners gathered at Cossatot Community College for the Well Rooted Homesteading Conference, to hear experts lead workshops focused on sustainable living and ask questions about managing their own self-sufficient homestead.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING — At the Well Rooted Homesteading Conference in Ashdown, over two hundred farmers, growers and home gardeners gathered for workshops led by homesteading experts in soil health, backyard poultry, rainwater safety and storage, gardening techniques and more. Local vendors also sold their wares, including crafts and baked goods. (Division of Agriculture photo.) 

Jennifer Sansom, Little River County extension agricultural agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said 270 people attended the Feb. 18 conference. Attendees represented 26 of Arkansas’ 75 counties, along with three Oklahoma and four Texas counties and one Louisiana county.

“People are reaching out for information like this, so it’s definitely needed,” Sansom said. “A lot of other county agents are now getting requests for homesteading conferences.”

Lauren Reed of Russellville attended the conference with her husband and said she was excited to take advantage of the education provided by homesteading experts.

“I worked in environmental quality and am kind of a nerd when it comes to that kind of stuff, so I try to be as conscious about how we impact things as possible,” said Reed. She was particularly interested in the rainwater safety and storage workshop led by John Pennington, extension water quality educator. “We live right in the middle of town, we don’t have a homestead, so learning to be sustainable where I live is how we want to do it.

“We have a little garden, and we’ve been looking at doing the rain capture piece of it,” she said, noting the prevalence of misconceptions about rain capture being illegal. “A lot of people think that you can’t do it, that it’s not allowed. So, to hear somebody from a regulatory background say, ‘Yes, you can capture rainwater, and here’s how to do it safely,’ I think that’s a really good thing.”

Sustaining skills

Les Walz, extension livestock and forages educator for the Division of Agriculture, led a workshop on Hügelkultur gardening techniques. Hügelkultur is a centuries-old permaculture method of building a garden bed from a mound of decaying wood and other compostable plant debris. These mounds are then topped with soil, and the gradual decay of the wood and plant matter within the bed provides long-term nutrients and moisture for the plants growing atop it.

Walz said hügelkultur beds are “really appealing to people who live in arid places” because they retain moisture through periods of drought.

Carey Robinson, owner of CWC Farm and former extension agent, led a lively workshop on backyard poultry, answering many questions from attendees about chicken breeds and sources for poultry. She also addressed misinformation about chicken feed being tampered with by suppliers.

“I feed a feed that, according to social media, is contaminated and causes chickens to not lay, and my chickens are laying,” Robertson said. “It’s just a totally normal year, I’m not seeing any problems. Some of the things that I think may contribute to this is that a lot of people got chickens when COVID hit two years ago, and now their chickens are two years old. What happens when chickens are two years old?”

“They slow down,” an audience member said.

“They slow down, they take a bigger break, they enjoy a winter vacation,” Robertson replied. “In the world of chickens, all those things can happen.”

Robertson’s husband, Bill Robertson, retired extension cotton agronomist, led a workshop on soil health, covering topics such as the importance of biodiversity and the benefits of improved soil structure.

“An improved soil structure holds together better, and when we do that, we have places and channels for water to go, and water goes deeper,” he said. “When the water goes deeper, we have increased water holding capacity in the soil. When you have a bigger, better root system, you’re more efficient with the water and you’re more efficient with the nutrients.

“Think about when you’re growing tomatoes, and you do a patio garden with a tomato in a five-gallon bucket,” Bill Robertson said. “It dries up fast, you have to stay on top of watering it. But if you’ve got it in your garden, where you’re able to water it better, it has a much bigger, effective root system and it’s easier to maintain.”

Relevant resources

The final workshop of the day focused on long-term food storage methods, including freeze-drying, canning and dehydrating, as well as sourdough basics and cheese making. Bethany Barney, Terrie James and JoAnn Vann – extension family and consumer sciences agents in Little River, Hempstead and Clark counties, respectively – along with Carolyn Spencer, Hempstead County Extension Homemakers Council president, led the workshop.

The conference concluded with a charcuterie tasting and an expert panel Q&A session with Walz, Pennington, Carey and Bill Robertson and James.

Reed said she was grateful to the Cooperative Extension Service for providing such important information and resources to Arkansans.

“A lot of people don’t realize the extension resources that are available to them, and that they’re free,” Reed said. “And that there’s one sitting in every county, and they will come to you. You don’t have to go find where their office is, they will literally come out to your house, come out to your farm and teach you.”

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

UA Cossatot honors two local WWII veterans during basketball games in Lockesburg

Sterling Daniel and Sam Phillips were honored recently by UA Cossatot at Veteran’s Night basketball games. State Representative DeAnn Vaught and UA Cossatot Chancellor Steve Cole are pictured with Daniel and Phillips at midcourt between games and presented special proclamations from the Arkansas Legislature, thanking them for their service to America.

Well Rooted Homesteading Conference offers workshops in living sustainably, self-reliantly

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

ASHDOWN, Ark. — The Little River County Extension Office will host its first Well Rooted Homesteading Conference, with workshops in everything from chickens to cheesemaking, designed to help folks learn to live sustainably and self-reliantly.

Homesteading -- The Little River County Extension Office will host the Well Rooted Homesteading Conference on Feb. 18, 2023. Graphic/UADA

The daylong event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Feb. 18 at Cossatot Community College in Ashdown. Attendees are required to register in advance by Feb. 14 at bit.ly/Well-Rooted-Homesteading. The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch. Registration will not be available at the door.

“The Well Rooted Homesteading Conference is the first of its kind in our area of the state,” said Jennifer Sansom, agricultural agent with the Little River County Extension Office, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “The conference will offer educational information that’s practical and interesting.”  

Homesteading experts will offer workshops in backyard poultry, water safety and storage, soil health, long-term food preservation, gardening and growing techniques and food demonstrations. There will also be a charcuterie tasting of local homemade breads, jams, jellies, honey, homemade butter and cheese, and a question-and-answer session.

While homesteading has long been of interest to many Arkansans, Sansom said interest spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Extension agents throughout the state have responded by offering their resources and expertise.

“Since COVID began, I began to notice that probably four out of every five of my producers/clients said they have concerns about rising costs and want to be more self-sufficient,” Sansom said.

Bethany Barney, the family and consumer science agent in Little River County, hears similar concerns from her clients in the form of requests for more canning classes and long-term food storage options.

“Bethany and I began to work together on more and more garden-to-table programming. From that, Well Rooted Homesteading was born,” Sansom said.

Schedule

9-10:30 a.m.

• Hugelkutur Gardening Techniques and Water Safety and Storage

• Backyard Poultry and Soil Health

10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

• Hugelkutur Gardening Techniques and Water Safety and Storage

• Backyard Poultry and Soil Health

12:15-1:15 p.m. Lunch

1:15-2:15 p.m.: Longterm Food Storage: Freeze Drying, Canning and Dehydrating, and Successful Sour Dough Starter

2:30-3:30 p.m. Charcuterie Tasting, Expert Panel Q & A

For more information, contact the Little River County Extension office at 870-898-7224 or email littleriver-ashdown@uada.edu.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture publications, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @AR_Extension. 

UA Cossatot Releases Fall 2022 Honor Students and List of Graduates

UA Cossatot’s Office of the Registrar recently released the fall 2022 Chancellor’s List and Vice Chancellor’s List as well as the names of the fall 2022 graduates.

90 students were named to the Chancellor’s list maintaining a minimum of 4.0 semester GPA while taking a minimum of twelve college credit hours.  92 students were named on the Vice Chancellor’s list maintaining a minimum of a 3.5 semester GPA while taking a minimum of twelve college credit hours.

UA Cossatot Fall 2022 Chancellor’s List:

Amity: Brayden Taylor and Kenyon Turner

Ashdown:  Hunter Billingsley, Quinton Holland, Michala Scarborough, Vonee Thomas, Charli Tompkins, Emma Wrinkle, and Zulma Gonzalez

Cove: Deantha Gibbons, Katelyn McLain, and Valley Meeks

De Queen: Hailey Carter,  Clyde Chandler, Ashley Contreras, Jera Cotton, Kimberly Delgado, Oscar Fernandez, Edgar Ferretiz, Litzi Flores, Halle Harp, Johnathan Hernandez, Fatima Jaimes,  Meagan Martz, Dair Mendoza, Gerardo Monroy, Aldon Moreno-Cruz, Ariana Ortiz, Dulce Owen,  Alex Pacheco, Jaclyn Pham, Diana Ramirez,  Elaina Rivas, Joshua Roberts, Rojas Jose Margarito, Jamileth Rueda, Misael Sanches, Joshua Servante, Izabella Sotelo, Wendy Victoriano, and Reyna Lopez

Delight: Tristan Humphry

Dierks:  Kevin Herrington and Kimberly McCauley

Foreman: Caroline Beasley and Ashalin Casper

Gillham: Angelica Aguilar

Glenwood: Lauren Fortner and Knighten Richter

Hatfield: Esmerelda Johnson

Horatio: Kelsi Brown, Bryan Hernandez, Reese Walker, and Saranenkhjin Williams

Kirby: Jolie Brewer and Montana Cook

Langley: Taylor Kelley

Lockesburg: Lauren Carver, Calum Casiano, Sabrina Cooke, Emma Gilbert, Cadee Glasgow, Megan Midgett, Arrionna Arie, and Shelby Blankenship

Mineral Springs: Liliana Meraz

Murfreesboro: Brooke Westfall

Nashville: Jose Luis Bretado Jr, Alexis Byers, Katie Cochran, Olivia Dean, Kerri Foster, Jenna Hostetler, Dustin Hupp, Jackson King, Sophie Kuykendall, Crimson Lovewell, Kiersten Priddy, Kyleigh Scoggins, Kyrell Williams, Logan Wilson, Blane Woods, Haley Wright, and James Jordan

Texarkana: Tonya Cloud, Audrey Fricks, and Meagan Toliver

Wickes: Emily Whisenhunt

Wilton: Kristen Lopez

Winthrop: April Klitz

UA Cossatot Fall 2022 Vice Chancellor’s List:

Amity: Kylee Crump, Cameron Johnson, and Kaden Owens

Ashdown: Jaden Altenbaumer, Faith Green, Heavenleigh Kelm, Braydee Kennemore, Aaliyah Nutt,

Dillon Reed, Kimberly Strube, Vonjoy Thomas, Isabella Woolfley, and Candace McGee

Ben Lomond: Matthew Harrison

Buckner: Abby Clark

Cove: Kortlyn McKee

De Queen: Sara Abril, Saul Barron Jr, Jasmin Cisneros, Jose Cortes, Kaylee Coto, Abisai De Jesus, Elise Dean, Edith Garcia, Ana Gutierrez, Zoe Helms, Victor Hernandez, Allen Hong, Megan Kuykendall, Dalton Love, Magdalena Lugo, Jesus Marrufo, Henry Martinez, Kevin Martinez,  

Duran Morales, Olympia Quintana, Sebastian Ramirez, Vorian Rehm, Luke Rogers, Ana Servante,  

Penelope Sims, Sarah White, Ethan Wolcott, Danielle Martinez, Olivia Yandell, and Raven Revels

Dierks: Nancy Diaz, Josie Galloway, Jaiden Jackson, Casey Kirby, Kitreena Russell, William Sirmon, and Hunter Young

Foreman: Landon Lansdell, Trista Martin, and Jabrea Walker

Garvin: Hannah Honey

Gillham: Kasey Frachiseur

Glenwood: Isai Felix and Graicyn Richter

Horatio: Carson Bright, Demi Leonard, Haylee Stubbs, and Alexis Ragan

Lockesburg: Espinoza Cortes, Samantha Fowler, and Mallori Marshall

Mena: Cash Parker and Marissa Robbins

Mineral Springs: Marlon Graves Jr and Keon Piggee

Murfreesboro: Kaylynn Cox and Tammie Summers

Nashville: Hallie Caldwell, Isai Camacho, Jackson Carter, Reagan Cooley, Martin Garcia,  

Lamia Hendrix, Isaac Jamison, Caleb King, Kortlan Parker, Samuel Rodgers, Justin Wescott, and

Gordon Morrow

Newhope: Austin Mack and Jacob Sharp

Ozan: LaShonna Cooper and Daleigh Morris
Texarkana: Peyton Dean, Abigail Houck, and Kimberly Leverett

18 students graduate with Summa Cum Laude honors, meaning that they graduate with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.9 to 4.0.  14 students graduate with Magna Cum Laude honors meaning that they graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 to 3.89.  27 students graduate with Cum Laude honors meaning that they graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.74.

Students Graduating Fall 2022 with Summa Cum Laude Honors:

Denise Austin of Fouke, Hunter Billingsley of Ashdown, Alexis Byers of Nashville, Calum Casiano of Lockesburg, Kimberly Delgado of De Queen, Alec-Zander Frachiseur of De Queen, Dennis Guzman of Nashville, Luis Hernandez of De Queen, Quinton Holland of Ashdown, James Jordan of Nashville, Denise Lawrence of Lockesburg, Ariana Ortiz of De Queen, Dulce Owen of De Queen, Brenda Perez of De Queen, Diana Ramirez of De Queen, Vorian Rehm of De Queen, Izabella Sotelo of De Queen, and

Brooke Westfall of Murfreesboro

Students Graduating Fall 2022 with Magna Cum Laude Honors:

Victoria Alfaro Zapata of De Queen, Jennifer Aparicio-Montiel of De Queen, Destiny Bearden of Mineral Springs, Ashley Contreras of De Queen, Shonda French of Wilton, Halle Harp of De Queen, Samantha Harris of Fayetteville, Robert Haworth of Texarkana, Lamia Hendrix of Nashville, Jackson King of Nashville, Keon Piggee of Mineral Springs, Stephanie Piza of De Queen, Jose Rojas of De Queen, and Ethan Wolcott of De Queen.

Students graduating fall 2022 with Cum Laude Honors:

Chantal Alonso of Dierks, Jaden Altenbaumer of Ashdown, Melody Altenbaumer of Ashdown, Laura Alvarado of De Queen, Abigail Angeles of Cabot, Hector Blanco of De Queen, Heather Bradshaw of De Queen, Estevan Bravo of Nashville, Ty Buchanan of Ashdown, Miranda Coto of De Queen, Lucas Cowart of Kirby, Abisai De Jesus of De Queen, Kisa Epps of Nash, William Foster of De Queen, Kimberly Frachiseur of De Queen, Marlon Graves Jr. of Hope, Alexander Hamby of Ashdown, Alyssa Harrison of Nashville, Kevin Hernandez of Gillham, Shelby Hill-Blankenship of Lockesburg, Diana Lerma of De Queen, Karina Lopez-Balderas of Gillham, Leonardo Martinez of De Queen, Jose Rojas of De Queen, Anahiz Ruvalcaba of Horatio,

Maria San Juan of Horatio, and Alleigh Tucker of Newhope

UA Cossatot Students Graduating in Fall 2022 Include:

Amity: Joseph Galloway, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls and Harrison Sutton, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology and

Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls

Ashdown: Jaden Altenbaumer, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Melody Altenbaumer, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing; Hunter Billingsley, Technical Certificate: Automotive & Diesel Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance; Paiton Britt, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Shernesia Broughton, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing; Ty Buchanan, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices; Kyle Burnham, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices; Michael Wayne Friday, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding;

Jessica Green, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Corbin Gulley, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Alexander Hamby, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate; Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Quinton Holland, Technical Certificate: Automotive & Diesel Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance; Heavenleigh Kelm, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding, Candace McGee, Certificate of Proficiency: Digital Media & Marketing; Aaliyah Nutt, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching,

Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant; ShaCoya Poole, Technical Certificate: Medical Assisting, Certificate of Proficiency: Medical Transcription; Ashley Rechkemmer, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Timothy Smith, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology; Vonjoy Thomas, Associate of Science: STEM, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Samantha Trotter, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing;  

Braley Turner, Associate of Applied Science: Occupational Therapy Assistant

Broken Bow: Melissa Stuart, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing

Cabot: Abigail Angeles, Associate of Applied Science: Occupational Therapy Assistant, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Cove: Ricardo Maldonado, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control

De Queen: Yuri Aguilar, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Victoria Alfaro Zapata, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing; Laura Alvarado, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing; Aparicio-Montiel, Associate of General Studies; Jennifer Aparicio-Montiel, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Adolfo Barreto, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Saul Barron Jr., Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control; Hector Blanco, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology; Chasity Borja, Associate of Science: Middle Level Education, Associate of General Studies; Heather Bradshaw, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing, Tucker Brown, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Nubia Buendia Gonzalez, Associate of Arts,

Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Marisol Buenrostro,  Associate of Science: Business, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Jesus Camacho Jr., Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Veronica Castro, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing, Ashley                                                                                                                                       Contreras, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Jose Cortes Jr., Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Miranda Coto, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Kaydee Cowling, Technical Certificate: Agriculture, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology; Leslie Daniels, Certificate of Proficiency: Emergency Medical Technology, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Abisai De Jesus, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices; Kimberly Delgado, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching,  Associate of General Studies: General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Technical Certificate:  General Studies; Yatzari Dominguez, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing;  Oscar Fernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GMAW/FCAW; Edgar Ferretiz, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GMAW/FCAW; William Foster, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Automotive & Diesel Technology, Certificate of Proficiency:                                                                                                                                                  Engine Repair & Climate Control, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance;

Alec-Zander Frachiseur, Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding;

Kimberly Frachiseur, Associate of General Studies: General Studies, Juan Gaona, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Edwin Garcia, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Luis Gomez Santiago, Technical Certificate: Health Professions, Certificate of Proficiency: Emergency Medical Technology; Halle Harp, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Luis Hernandez, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies; Manuel Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Victor Hernandez, Technical Certificate: General Studies;

Tays Hernandez Santiago, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology; Tasma Irons, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate:  General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Irata Kelen, Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding,

Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Diana Lerma, Technical Certificate: Medical Assisting;

Giovanna Lerma, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies; Erick Loredo, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding, Magdalena Lugo, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Jair Marrufo, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices;

Leonardo Martinez, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Giovanni Mendez, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting; Dair Mendoza, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control;

Edwin Mora, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW Stainless Steel, Certificate of Proficiency, Pipe Welding GTAW; Aldon Moreno-Cruz, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe SMAW,

Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe GMAW/FCAW; Amari Morrison, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Alexander Mosqueda, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Ariana Ortiz, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Catherine Ousse, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Dulce Owen, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology; Alex Pacheco, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe SMAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe GMAW/FCAW; Angelica Padilla, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing; Connor Pearce, Technical Certificate: Automotive & Diesel Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance; Brenda Perez, Technical Certificate: Medical Assisting; Stephanie Piza, Associate of Science: Psychology, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Diana Ramirez, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant,

Technical Certificate: General Studies; Vorian Rehm, Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Luke Rogers, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Jose Rojas, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Automotive & Diesel Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance; Misael Sanches, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices; Izabella Sotelo, Associate of Science: STEM

Sofia Velazquez, Associate of Science: Business; Joseph Whisenhunt, Certificate of Proficiency:                                                                                                                                                  Digital Media & Marketing; Taylor Whittington, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Ethan Wolcott, Associate of General Studies: General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Gage Woods, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices,

Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Erika Zamora, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Delight: Brookelyen Cox, Associate of Science: Psychology, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Bobbie Craig, Associate of Applied Science: Occupational Therapy Assistant, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Dierks: Chantal Alonso, Associate of Science: Business, Technical Certificate: General Studies;

Destiny Faulkner, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Allie Miller, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Kitreena Russell, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting; William Sirmon, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls,

Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Fayetteville: Samantha Harris, Associate of Science: Business

Foreman: Myranda Gross, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing; Harley Reaves, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Colton Rose, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity,

Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls

Fouke: Denise Austin, Associate of Applied Science: Occupational Therapy Assistant, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Gillham: Jessica Gonzalez, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing, Technical Certificate:  Health Professions; Kevin Hernandez, Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Karina Lopez-Balderas, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Glenwood: Traemichael Samuel, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Grannis: Adamari Aguirre, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant

Haworth: Scout Dorsey, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing

Hope: Marlon Graves Jr., Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate:  Automotive & Diesel Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control,

Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance; Jessica Langston, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing; Makaylia Tate, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology

Horatio: Melissa Arellano, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Bryan Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Maddie Rivas, Associate of Science: Agriculture Business;

Anahiz Ruvalcaba, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Maria San Juan, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing; Haylee Stubbs, Associate of Science: STEM; Roberto Villeda Jr., Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GTAW

Kirby: Lucas Cowart, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls

Langley: Jacy White, Associate of Applied Science: Occupational Therapy Assistant

Lockesburg: Calum Casiano, Technical Certificate:  Automotive & Diesel Technology,

Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance; Shelby Hill-Blankenship, Associate of Science: Psychology, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies: General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies;

Denise Lawrence, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Abbigail Stinson, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology

Mena: Elizabeth Smith, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Mineral Springs: Destiny Bearden, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Alan Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Nyna Nuttall, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing, Technical Certificate: Health Professions;  

Keon Piggee, Technical Certificate: Automotive & Diesel Technology, Certificate of Proficiency:Engine Repair & Climate Control, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance;

X'aivier Reed, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Science: Agriculture Science, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Murfreesboro: JohnAaron Legate, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices; Hope Littles, Associate of General Studies; Tammie Summers, Certificate of Proficiency: Digital Media & Marketing;

Brooke Westfall, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant, Technical Certificate: General Studies                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Nash: Kisa Epps, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Nashville: Paula Alvarez, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Gloria Avila, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Estevan Bravo, Associate of Science: Criminal Justice; James Brockman, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Gilberto Bustos Jr., Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Alexis Byers, Associate of Science: Psychology,

Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies; Isai Camacho, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Dana Carlton, Associate of Applied Science: General Business, Technical Certificate:  Accounting; Sarah Cobb, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Krystle Finley, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing; Dennis Guzman, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies;  

Alyssa Harrison, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Associate of Arts,

Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Lamia Hendrix, Associate of General Studies; Jerry Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Megan Huffman, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant;

James Jordan, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Pipe Welding,

Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW Stainless Steel, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GTAW; Jackson King, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices; Kortlan Parker, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Hayden Patrick, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Athena Paulino, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing,

Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Braven Warren, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology;

Blane Woods, Technical Certificate: Automotive & Diesel Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Engine Repair & Climate Control, Certificate of Proficiency: Electrical Systems & Engine Performance                                                                                                                             

Newhope: Michael Arivett, Associate of Science: STEM, Technical Certificate: General Studies;

Jacob Sharp, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices; Alleigh Tucker, Associate of Applied Science: Occupational Therapy Assistant, Technical Certificate: Health Professions                                                                                                                                                                       

Oklahoma City: Jamile Navarrete, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting

Saratoga: James Archer Jr., Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding,

Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding

Texarkana: Andrea Davis, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting; Mashandy Harris, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Robert Haworth, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Shae Reid, Associate of Applied Science: Occupational Therapy Assistant; Joseph Russell, Associate of Arts,

Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Umpire: Haley Manasco, Associate of Applied Science: Registered Nursing, Technical Certificate:  Health Professions

Washington: Kaylin Romine, Associate of General Studies: General Studies

Wilton: Shonda French, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Associate of General Studies         

Winthrop: Kelli Cowan, Certificate of Proficiency: Emergency Medical Technology

UA Cossatot’s Textbook Rental and OER Program Saved Students Over $3 Million Dollars

UA Cossatot’s textbook rental and Open Educational Resource (OER) program has saved students $3,004,899.01. What began as a chancellor’s vision in 2015 exceeded all expectations in 2022. Nearly 70% of courses at UA Cossatot are taught with OER.

UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole recently recognized Relinda Ruth, Director of Educational Resources and OER Specialist, for her efforts in building this program and leading the OER effort in Arkansas. Dr. Cole also commended Ruth for serving as a leader for the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Arkansas State OER Action Team and leading the Arkansas Community Colleges (ACC) consortial membership with the Open Education Network (OEN). “Good visions only become reality if the right persons can see them through. In our case, that person was Relinda Ruth. She not only built this program but just like Johnny Appleseed, she has provided her ideas and leadership community to Arkansas and the United States. This program would not have happened without Relinda!” said Cole.

Ruth was recently invited to Florida to join the SREB Educational Technology Cooperative (ETC) alongside 11 others representing 16 southern states.

UA Cossatot continues to lead Arkansas in OER usage and has become a leader in the OER world. Ruth has traveled to other colleges across the state to help educators move toward OER. Ruth has shared her

experience in building an internal textbook rental and OER program through national interviews, presentations, publications, blogs, and even podcasts. To date, she’s presented at 20 state and national conferences.

“It’s amazing what everyone at UA Cossatot has accomplished with our textbook rental and OER program. Dr. Cole had a vision of making college more affordable to students and the entire UA Cossatot team worked together to make it a reality,” said Ruth.

Ruth will travel to Atlanta in March 2023 to present at the SREB OER and Dual Enrollment Conference. Her focus is expanding the use of OER in developmental education and college readiness in Arkansas Community Colleges.

For more information on UA Cossatot’s textbook rental and OER program, contact Relinda Ruth at 870-584-1181 or rruth@cccua.edu.

UA Cossatot Colts/Lady Colts Benefit Golf Tournament in Nashville

1st Place team

Jon Bunyard pictured with 1st Place team in UA Cossatot 4-Person Scramble Benefit Golf Tournament in Nashville on Saturday - 1st Place score of 57 - Evan Wakefield, Kyler Reeves, Michael Nava, (Chris Singleton - not pictured)

Brittany Moore

Ladies Closest to Hole on #1 - Brittany Moore

Seth Tollett

Men's Long Drive Champion - Seth Tollett

Evan Wakefield

Men's Closest to Hole on #9 - Evan Wakefield

Dextin Wheeler, Seth Tollett

2nd Place Team with a score of 60 - Dextin Wheeler, Seth Tollett, (Braden Young & Griffin Young not pictured)

Cadee Glasgow

Ladies Long Drive Champion - Cadee Glasgow

UA Cossatot Agriculture Projects to be Showcased in Washington, D.C.

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Six agriculture students from UA Cossatot will be attending the annual National Science Foundation Advanced Technician Education (NSF ATE) conference on October 25-28, 2022 in Washington D.C.

This year Keaton Cox, Kaydee Cowling, and Haley Wright are presenting posters about projects conducted by the agriculture department. Three additional students attending the conference include April Klitz, Hannah Honey, and Valerie Smith. UA Cossatot faculty members Kelli Harris and Crystal Sims will also be in attendance.

Cox’s research is about water quality. The students in Natural Resources have been collecting water samples and testing for coliform bacteria, lead, mercury, pH, and other quality factors. The data is recorded through ArcGIS Survey123, including location data which is then mapped.

Cowling and Wright’s project started in the Intro to GIS class in the spring of 2022. They are collaborating with Casey Hardaway at Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Nature Center to collect location data on fossils found on the management area.

The conference will host more than 850 NSF ATE grantees and their project cohorts to focus on the critical issues related to advanced technological education. Fundamental persons working on ATE projects across the country will partake in the hybrid event. Conference partakers represent community colleges,

business and industry, secondary school systems, and four-year universities covering projects in a wide variety of areas, such as information technology, engineering technology, micro-and nanotechnologies, chemical technology, biotechnology, and other program areas.

The primary goal of the GSTARS project is to design and implement a curriculum that meets the region’s need for technician-level GIS skills in agriculture and related science industries. In addition, the $299,635 grant will create pathways for future GIS Technicians to enter the local workforce.

“This grant has created an amazing opportunity to integrate technology and technical skills, such as GIS data collection and drone operations, into our agriculture and science programs. We are excited to share what our students have been learning at UA Cossatot through the GSTARS grant during the NSF ATE conference," said GSTARS team leader and agriculture faculty, Kelli Harris.

To learn more about this grant and conference, contact Kelli Harris at kharris@cccua.edu. ###