We are proud to present our 2019 UA Cossatot Rotaract Officers
(Left to right) Belen Hernandez-Vice President , Eruby Rodriguez- President and Lissette Hernandez – Secretary
These students will be dedicating their time to finding innovative solutions in their communities, the world's most pressing challenges while developing leadership skills, guiding their fellow peers, and promoting the Rotary motto, Service Above Self.
UA Cossatot Basketball Players Plan to Participate in a Shoot-A-Thon at Lockesburg Gym
UA Cossatot has announced that the college's men's and women's basketball team will be conducting a Shoot-A-Thon on Monday, September 23, 2019, at the UA Cossatot Bank of Lockesburg Gymnasium. This event will be an opportunity for the players to raise funds for the men's and women's basketball programs, travel gear, and bag expenses.
The Shoot-A-Thon allows sponsors the chance to support UA Cossatot's basketball program and student-athletes. Sponsors can give money in two ways. Sponsors can either 1) sponsor a player for an amount per free throws made or 2) provide a flat donation.
Players are planning to shoot 100 free throws. The sponsor's tax-deductible pledge will be the amount the sponsor checks on their form, multiplied by the number of free throws the player makes out of 100 free throws attempted.
If one chooses to sponsor a player per free throw, sponsors can mail the completed Shoot-A-Thon form to Coach Brad Phillips, Colt's Basketball, University of Arkansas Cossatot, 183 College Drive, De Queen, Arkansas 71832. Completed forms can also be scanned and e-mailed to bphillips@cccua.edu. After the Shoot-A-Thon, Coach Phillips will let you know the results of the player and the amount of your pledge.
Sponsors can send money before the event if they choose to give a flat donation. For donations, please make checks payable to the UA Cossatot Foundation.
Sponsor Forms can be picked up at the front desk of any UA Cossatot Campus, or downloaded at www.cccua.edu.
For any questions about the Shoot-A-Thon, please contact Coach Brad Phillips at bphillips@cccua.edu
Cossatot Community College
Click here to learn how to login to campus email, Blackboard, and Campus Connect! The University of Arkansas - Fayetteville's Chancellor, Dr. Joe Steinmetz has announced that the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville will now charge associate degree graduates from UA Cossatot the same tuition rates those graduates were charged at UA Cossatot.
Ashdown High School Financial Aid Meetings
Instructor and Alumni Recommends UA Cossatot
Jimmy Arnold began his college career in the fall of 1999 at UA Cossatot and graduated in the spring of 2002 with an Associate of Arts degree. In 2008, Mr. Arnold was hired to teach history and political science at UA Cossatot, where he continues to work as an instructor committed to improving the lives for those in his region.
Jimmy was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up in a small town called Saginaw. After leaving Saginaw, Texas Jimmy moved to De Queen, Arkansas where he has lived for the past forty-eight years.
Before attending college, Jimmy worked in De Queen at Pilgrim’s Pride for twenty-seven years. In 1999, he decided to make a change and enrolled as a student at UA Cossatot. Arnold chose to attend his local community college because it was close to home. He could also get all of his general education courses out of the way before transferring to a four-year college.
To accomplish this goal, he pursued an Associate of Arts degree, which is designed to transfer to any Arkansas four-year university. After graduating in 2002 from UA Cossatot, Jimmy transferred to Henderson State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science. After graduating from Henderson State University, he entered the graduate program at Texas A&M – Texarkana where he graduated with a Master’s of Science degree in 2007.
Jimmy Arnold said, “As far back as I can remember, I have loved history, and I have wanted to teach it. To me, history is so exciting! I am also a big Civil War buff!”
Mr. Arnold has taught State and Local Government in the past, and currently teaches U.S. History and American Government. When asked what his favorite class to teach was he said, “Hands down, my favorite is U.S. History To 1876.”
Mr. Arnold has enjoyed his experience at UA Cossatot as a student and continues to enjoy it as a teacher. As an employee, he said, “My favorite thing about working at UA Cossatot is being able to teach and interact with my students.”
He also said, “My time at UA Cossatot as a student was probably one of the most exciting times in my life! I was very much involved in student organizations. I even served as a Regional Vice President for the Oklahoma/Arkansas Region of Phi Theta Kappa.”
Jimmy recommends anyone who is considering getting a college degree to begin at UA Cossatot. “The support I received, not only from my instructors but from the staff as well, was awesome! UA Cossatot is also great because students can get their basic general education courses out of the way. After that, they can solely focus on their major after they transfer,” said Jimmy Arnold.
When reflecting on his community, family and the history of the college, Jimmy said, “I love De Queen and the people. Back in 2012, my wife and I lost our home in a house fire. The support we received from the people of De Queen was very touching. My wife is known, around De Queen, as Mrs. Jen and she has operated the Happy House Pre-School for 39 years. It was her love, prayers, and support that sustained me during my college years.”
Jimmy added, “To watch the college grow and improve over the last two decades is awesome! I am honored and proud to have had a small part at UA Cossatot, and I hope to continue teaching for many years to come!”
To learn more about UA Cossatot’s Associate of Arts degree or other associates degrees offered at the college, please contact Student Services at 870-584-4471
Amy Westfall and Julie Rhodes in the Studios of Ed 88 Thursday (Audio Included)
On the Thursday Ed-ition of the Morning Show, we visited with Nashville High School Career Coach Amy Westfall and UA Cossatot High School Coordinator Julie Rhodes to discuss some of the many educational opportunities at UAC that are available to our high school students.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
During the 2019 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed several pieces of legislation concerning our elections.
One of those pieces of legislation will change the date of our primaries.
Arkansas will join 13 other states holding a March 3, 2020 primary. Only 4 other states will hold their caucus or primary before March 3.
Act 545 provides for a March preferential primary election in the years in which the office of President of the United States is voted on and a May preferential primary election in the years in which the office of Governor is voted on.
The general election for non-partisan races, which includes judges and prosecutors, will also be held on March 3 of next year.
Early voting will begin on February 17, 2020. The deadline to register for the primary is February 3.
Act 545 also makes changes to the timing of fiscal sessions. Fiscal sessions have been held on the second Monday in February on even-numbered years. Act 545 states that on years in which the preferential primary is held in March, the General Assembly will instead meet for a fiscal session on the second Wednesday of April.
Other legislation passed this year concerning elections include:
ACT 199 which allows the election officials at a polling site with fifteen (15) or more ballot styles to post the sample ballots on a public website and in bound volumes.
· ACT 664 which provides ten (10) minutes for a voter to mark his or her ballot.
· ACT 684 which allows digital photographic identification cards to be used as the voter identification required to vote.
· ACT 949 which provides for a modification in the law concerning the number of voting sites in a city of the first class.
· ACT 328 which allows high school students to volunteer as election officials.
For more information about voting dates and deadlines visit www.sos.arkansas.gov.www.sos.arkansas.gov.
Arkansas Secretary of State
Copyright © 2017 Arkansas Secretary of State. All Rights Reserved.
Local Brothers Keepers Group in Ed 88 Studios on Friday
Brothers Keepers drawing for a rocket cooker to raise funds for the 911 Memorial Stair Climb.
Carmen Sansom Named 2019 Ashdown High School Homecoming Grand Marshall
Ashdown Public School's Retiree Carmen Sansom has been named the 2019 Ashdown High School Homecoming Grand Marshall. Mrs. Sansom will lead the parade on Friday, September 13th at 2 p.m.
She is married to Dale Sansom and they have been residents of the Hicks Community in Ashdown for 42 years, where they raise cattle. They have three daughters Jennifer Sansom, Katie Phelps, and Mollye Cobb who all graduated from Ashdown and five grandchildren Bandera, Ty, Bannon, Cayce, and Colt. Bandera, Bannon, and Colt attend school in Ashdown and Cayce and Ty attend school in Simms, TX where Mrs. Sansom graduated.
Mrs. Sansom taught 25 in the Ashdown School District. She was a math teacher at AJHS for 10 years and 15 at AHS. She said, “I thought I would only teach until our daughters graduated from college, but I loved it so much, I just couldn’t stop! I loved not only teaching but getting to know so many young people and watching them grow into amazing adults with children of their own."
Winthrop Labor Day Reunion Sunday, September 1st
The city of Winthrop will be hosting the Labor Day reunion on Sunday, September 1st. It will be at the cafeteria from 11-? The city will provide plates, cups, napkins and silverware. It’s potluck so everyone bring food and enjoy! The museum will be open for people to walk through also. Look forward to seeing everyone!
2019 Fall Officers Are Elected To Serve in Collegiate FFA
Photo L-R: Reporter, Codie Jamison; Treasurer, Cody Chandler; Co-Vice President, Hadley Philamlee; President, Dusty Kesterson; Co-Vice President, Kinley Wright; and Secretary, Raven Revels
UA Cossatot's Collegiate FFA organization announces the fall 2019 FFA officers. These officers will serve for a term of one semester, and be active leaders in UA Cossatot's FFA.
The officers include President, Dusty Kesterson; Co-Vice President, Hadley Philamlee; Co-Vice President, Kinley Wright; Secretary, Raven Revels; Treasurer, Cody Chandler; and Reporter, Codie Jamison.
Being a member of UA Cossatot's FFA provides students scholarship opportunities; leadership, communication, and networking skills; and the chance to build friendships with other FFA members. Students pursuing a technical certificate in agriculture or an associate's degree in agriculture business, agriculture science, agriculture education, or natural resources can join UA Cossatot's Collegiate FFA.
This fall, UA Cossatot's FFA will be taking part in numerous activities, projects, and field trips to enhance students’ in-class experience. UA Cossatot Collegiate FFA sponsor, Kelli Harris, has announced that the FFA members will be taking part in a Gillham Lake clean-up project on September 14. They will also be making preparations for the FFA Gun Raffle and Chili Supper to raise money for scholarships on November 7 at the college.
For additional information about UA Cossatot's Collegiate FFA, please contact Kelli Harris at 870-584-1218 or kharris@cccua.edu
UA Cossatot’s Rotaract Club Attends Conference in Russellville
On Saturday, August 24, 2019, UA Cossatot’s student organization, Rotaract, attended a conference at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. The theme of the conference was how to connect, network, and get inspired to create projects that benefit people locally and across the globe.
The UA Cossatot Rotaract attendees included Eruby Rodriguez, Belen Hernandez, Joel Guerrero, Kendra Rodriguez, Ashlee Dunn, Karina Lopez, Lissette Hernandez, America Rojas, Gesille Montiel, Jhamilex Hernandez, Astrid Jasso, and Angela Vertiz. Rotaract sponsor Dustin Roberts also attended the conference. Rotaract is the college level of Rotary for individuals 18 to 30 years old. It is designed for young leaders to help develop innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
De Queen High School’s Interact club also attended the conference in Russellville. DHS Interact members that were present for the conference included Dalene Velazquez, Blanco Morales, Alma Puga, Abby Ponce, Anthony Sanchez, and Alicia Salazar. De Queen Rotary Secretary, Tammy Huddleston chaperoned the Interact students at the conference. Interact is a high school organization associated with Rotary. It is a club created to bring together young people ages twelve to eighteen to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of service above self.
Rotaract was re-established as a student organization at UA Cossatot last year. UA Cossatot employees Erika Buenrrostro and Dustin Roberts serve as Rotaract sponsors.
“It was great attending the conference where Rotaract and Interact members across the state came together for the purpose of making our communities and world a better place to live,” said Dustin Roberts.
To learn more about UA Cossatot’s Rotaract club, please contact Dustin Roberts at 870-584-1172 or at droberts@cccua.edu.
UA Cossatot FFA Gun Raffle
Say Yes to FHS Video
UA Cossatot Alumni Continues Nursing Career in Plano, Texas
Caleb Burrow is a former Sevier County resident and a former UA Cossatot nursing student who graduated from UA Cossatot’s RN program in 2015. This summer, Caleb started a new chapter in his life when he and his wife moved to Plano, Texas. In this new location, Caleb was hired to work as a Cardiovascular ICU RN nurse at the Baylor Scottand White Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas.
Caleb grew up in De Queen, Arkansas, where he attended a private Christian school. He graduated high school at a Christian Academy in Northwest Arkansas in 2012. He decided to go to college at UA Cossatot because it was close to home and it was a more cost-effective choice.
He also decided to major in nursing because he wanted to help people and make a difference in their lives. In the fall of 2012, Caleb started taking pre-requisite courses to get into UA Cossatot’s LPN program. One year later, he was in the program.
UA Cossatot has a day and evening LPN program, and Caleb was accepted into the eleven month LPN day program at the De Queen Campus.
Caleb Burrow said, “My time in the LPN program was probably the most challenging and most rewarding time in my nursing education and experience. With classes and clinicals, the whole program challenged me to put what I had learned into practice in both long term and acute care settings. The diversity in the healthcare setting experience was definitely a highlight of the program.”
After graduating from the LPN program in 2014, Caleb continued his nursing education at UA Cossatot by enrolling in the college’s RN nursing program. For this program, Caleb attended classes at UA Cossatot’s Nashville Campus.
The RN program at UA Cossatot is an LPN to RN transition program that is also a part of ARNEC. ARNEC stands for Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium. It is a co-operative effort of eight two-year colleges throughout Arkansas, which helps LPN’s get their RN degree.
Caleb said, “In the RN program, we would meet in the evenings in a distance learning setting. Our lectures would be presented from one location to several other campuses. The lectures were engaging and overall, not too different from any normal in-class setting. The teachers would teach the classes via live streaming, and the teachers would also travel to different campuses so students could see the teachers in person.”
Caleb Burrow graduated with an Associate of Applied Science RN nursing degree from UA Cossatot in 2015. After gaining an LPN and an RN degree from UA Cossatot, Caleb transferred to Arkansas Tech University. He was accepted into the school’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, where he took classes online.
Caleb said, “I felt that I was very prepared for my coursework at a four-year university because of the training and education I received at UA Cossatot.”
While taking classes at Arkansas Tech University, he also worked full-time in the ICU setting at Christus St. Michael Health System in Texarkana, Texas. In 2017, Caleb graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a BSN degree.
After working three and a half years at Christus St. Michael Health System in Texarkana, Caleb has chosen to take a job in the Cardiovascular ICU at the Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas.
When asked why Caleb wanted to take this job, he said, “I am getting to help patients who have undergone significant cardiovascular surgeries or interventions at our facility. Baylor is also a name that could be said is synonymous with quality nursing care and nursing experience. I am proud to be working at this facility, and I love the ICU! I feel it is where I’m meant to be!”
Caleb also says, “If you know that nursing is something you want to pursue, I would personally recommend UA Cossatot’s LPN to RN transition program.”
The application deadline for the eleven-month LPN day program is March 1 of each year at UA Cossatot. The application deadline for the eighteen-month evening LPN program and the one year RN program at UA Cossatot is August 31 of each year.
To learn how to apply for one of these programs at UA Cossatot, please visit the college’s medical education page at www.cccua.edu to schedule an advising appointment.
Legendary Southwest Arkansas Newsman Jim Williamson Surprise Birthday Party
Surprise birthday party Wednesday for legendary southwest Arkansas newsman Jim Williamson held at the Ashdown School Alumni House! Happy Birthday Jim!
OTA Alumni Enjoys Career in Home Health
Rachel Hockaday is a Dierks, Arkansas resident who graduated from UA Cossatot in December of 2014 with an Associate of Applied Science: Occupational Therapy Assistant degree. Since graduating, Rachel has spent the last four and a half years working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant helping others in her community and the surrounding area.
After graduating from De Queen High School in 2012, Rachel chose to pursue a career in the medical field as an OTA. She was inspired to do this based on the extensive outpatient therapy she received at the age of twelve, due to a dislocated shoulder.
Rachel Hockaday said, “I initially planned to start credits with UA Cossatot and then transfer to a four-year university. When I was a senior in high school, UA Cossatot announced the start of their OTA program, and I instantly became interested. The cost of continuing my education away from home was going to be a challenge. I also knew UA Cossatot would be offering the same degree close to home without the financial stress.”
Rachel added, “My mother completed her nursing degree at UA Cossatot around the time I was graduating high school, and she encouraged me to apply. After thinking everything over, I knew that UA Cossatot was where I wanted to start and complete my college education.”
Rachel took her pre-requisite classes first and then was accepted into UA Cossatot’s OTA program in the summer of 2013. In the program, Rachel and her classmates covered different areas of therapy. She was able to learn about physical dysfunctions, mental health, and pediatrics concerning occupational therapy, while also getting the chance to experience clinicals.
“UA Cossatot’s OTA program is a very fast-paced medical program. Students who are in the program learn something new every day. They are pushed to the limit to become the best version of themselves and the best OTA that they can be,” said Rachel Hockaday.
Once she graduated, she then took her NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) exam to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In 2015 she began her career at De Queen Therapy and Living Center and Glenwood Health and Rehab. In 2018 she became the Director of Rehabilitation at Dierks Health and Rehab. After gaining ten months of experience as a Director of Rehabilitation, she then transitioned into home healthcare this past November with Amedisys Home Health of De Queen.
Rachel Hockaday said, “I’ve enjoyed all of my OTA work experiences, but I’m really enjoying home health. I have been able to travel in city and rural areas of Southwest Arkansas, and I love being able to serve my home town and region. I am very blessed to have stayed in this area for my education and career.”
When asked what her favorite thing about her job is as an OTA, Rachel said, “I love the connection I get to make with my clients. I am able to connect with them on a personal level and sometimes at the most vulnerable times of their life. As an OTA, I can focus on what is important to them and help improve their quality of life by regaining their ability to complete those tasks.”
Rachel was in UA Cossatot’s second OTA graduating class. During her time at UA Cossatot Rachel said she enjoyed the small classes and the local professors. Rachel said,” I feel that my college experience was a very personalized experience, and the professors were very supportive.”
To learn more about UA Cossatot’s OTA program, please visit the college’s Medical Education page at www.cccua.edu to schedule an advising appointment.
Cossatot Community College
Click here to learn how to login to campus email, Blackboard, and Campus Connect! The University of Arkansas - Fayetteville's Chancellor, Dr. Joe Steinmetz has announced that the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville will now charge associate degree graduates from UA Cossatot the same tuition rates those graduates were charged at UA Cossatot.
UA Cossatot’s First PTA Class Graduates
Photo: from left to right (first row): Kyle Duncan and Adam Bailey; (second row): Jeanne Spain, Katy Worrell, Kylie Bowens, and Mandy Mote.
On Friday, August 9, 2019, a Pinning Ceremony was held at UA Cossatot Ashdown Campus for the 2019 PTA Class. UA Cossatot launched its Physical Therapist Assistant Program last year, and now, six students have graduated from the program.
The Pinning Ceremony took place in the Barbara Horn Civic Center at 6:00 P.M. The six students who received pins at the ceremony include Adam Bailey of Murfreesboro, Arkansas; Kylie Bowens of De Queen, Arkansas; Kyle Duncan of Ashdown, Arkansas; Mandy Mote of Hensley, Arkansas; Jeanne Spain of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Katy Worrell of Maud, Texas.
UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole welcomed everyone to the ceremony and discussed the origin of starting the PTA program at the college. PTA Program Director, Jennifer Sanderson introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Rosalyn Henry.
Dr. Rosalyn Henry is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who works as a Director of Rehabilitation Services in Texarkana, Texas. She also serves on the UA Cossatot PTA Advisory Council. Dr. Henry gave the graduates advice and offered encouraging words.
Jennifer Sanderson congratulated the PTA class of 2019 and expressed how proud she was of them and all of their hard work. The graduates then received their PTA pins.
Two additional awards were given at the ceremony. Jeanne Spain received recognition for having the highest program grade average in the class. Katy Worrell received an academic achievement award for having the second-highest program grade average in the class.
PTA graduate, Jeanne Spain said, "This whole experience has been exciting, and it is an honor to have been able to go through this program. It is also very surreal to be in the first PTA group at UA Cossatot to start and finish this program."
When asked what their favorite thing about the program was, the group of graduates said, "The PTA program has given us so much knowledge, but what we have enjoyed the most is the relationships, friendships, and connections we have made by being in this program."
Now that these students have graduated, new students are entering UA Cossatot PTA Program this month. To learn about pre-requisites for the PTA Program or deadlines to apply, please visit UA Cossatot Medical Education page at www.cccua.eduto schedule an advising appointment.
Representative DeAnn Vaught To Seek Re-Election
Horatio – At the urging of her family and supporters, State Representative DeAnn Vaught today announced she will seek another term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. Serving since 2015, Vaught has become known as one of the most passionate voices at the Capitol, particularly when it comes to advocating for rural Arkansas.
Her experience and strong voice have been instrumental in lowering the tax burden on every single Arkansan while slowing the out of control growth of state government. “I work hard to fight for our way of life, our right to farm, our 2nd Amendment rights, protecting unborn children, and bringing awareness to mental health issues and child abuse,” said Vaught about her priorities. Vaught represents district 4, which includes parts of Howard, Sevier, and Little River Counties. She has worked hard with local leaders to continue efforts for job growth and economic development. Since her first election, Arkansas is among the leaders in the country in wage growth and is enjoying the highest employment numbers in state history. The agriculture community is close to Vaught’s heart, “District 4 is full of amazing farmers who care for their livestock and the environment, they do not need more red tape keeping them from doing what they love, and we all need them to keep feeding the world!” Due to her time and experience within the legislature, Vaught is a strong leader in the House. She is Vice-Chair of Executive Audit and currently serves on the Education Committee, Insurance & Commerce, House Management, and House Rules. She also serves on Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) and is the PEER Review Co-Chair.
With a very successful track record of passing bills she sponsors, Vaught has led efforts to improve teacher salaries, protect property rights, and increase speed limits on certain state highways. Says Vaught, “I am very grateful for everyone’s support and hope to continue to serve you as your District 4 State Representative.”
Vaught resides on her family farm outside of Horatio with her husband Jon. They have 3 grown daughters and are members of First Baptist Church, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, and Arkansas Pork Producers.
Foreman Public Meeting About New High School
Ed 88 was live at the Foreman High School Auditorium for Monday night’s public meeting regarding the proposed millage increase for the construction of a new high school