Erika Buenrrostro is the Coordinator for the Center for Student Success at UA Cossatot. Erika was invited to serve on the panel for the Hispanic Organization for Women Conference in Springdale, Arkansas in October. Topics she discussed at the conference included Latinos in higher education, trends, Hispanic Serving Institutions in Arkansas, and her employment at UA Cossatot.
UA Cossatot is the only Hispanic Serving Institution (HSIs) in Arkansas and is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. With Erika’s employment at UA Cossatot and her experience as the Coordinator for the Center for Student Success, she has valuable knowledge that the committee members of the conference wanted her to share.
In Springdale, Erika shared her experience of being a former college student and a minority student. She then spoke about UA Cossatot’s best practices in achieving Hispanic enrollment.
Minorities tend to face obstacles in earning a certificate or degree from a college. At the conference, Erika discussed ways UA Cossatot reaches the needs of Hispanic men and women. Through the Center for Student Success, UA Cossatot helps students with self-care practices and gives students a safe place to seek assistance.
“It is important for students to know that their school cares about them. Also, if assistance is available, they should be aware of that. Every student is different, and UA Cossatot realizes that. I am proud to work for a college that believes in helping all students achieve their dreams,” said Coordinator of the Center for Student Success, Erika Buenrrostro.
Erika also discussed financial aid opportunities that are available to the public, programs available for secondary and post-secondary students, as well as opportunities available through Adult Education and Continuing Education at a community college.
The conference concluded with Erika stating that Hispanics, especially Hispanic women, have more opportunities than ever before to receive higher education. While promoting educational opportunities at UA Cossatot, Erika expressed ways other colleges can help Latinos reach their goals
Christmas Tour of Southwest Arkansas
With the Christmas season upon us, we thought we would post a video of some pretty holiday sights right here in our own backyards!
Dierks Christmas Parade Monday Night December 16th
Howard County Cooperative Extension Service Holiday Break
We hope you have a wonderful holiday! Just a reminder – the Howard County Cooperative Extension Service will be closed for our winter break Monday, December 23, 2019 through Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Our office will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
The holidays are a magical time at the State Capitol. Lights illuminate the exterior at night, the halls are draped with garland, and school choirs from across the state serenade us with carols throughout the day.
But there is one particular day in the season here at that stands apart from the rest. On Tuesday, we celebrated the 5th year of Christmas in the Capitol. At this event, legislators gather with the Governor, constitutional officers, and state employees as we bring gifts for the more than 4,000 children in Arkansas foster care.
This year was the biggest yet. Several of the children were able to make it the event. And seeing their faces as they open the gifts is a humble reminder of our duty to them as legislators. As Rep. Charlene Fite said, “We love them. And we see a bright, bright future for them.”
Earlier that day, the committee for Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs was given a quarterly report from the Division of Children and Family Services.
Currently, there are 4,362 children in foster care. Neglect and substance abuse are the most prevalent reasons for children entering foster care.
Additional funding for DHS approved by the legislature in recent years has helped to increase the number of caseworkers and decrease the average worker caseload. The average caseload statewide stands at 21 cases per worker. The Division’s goal is 20 or fewer.
Arkansas consistently exceeds the national standard of 40.5% in finding a permanent living situation for children within 12 months removal from their home.
There are 1,502 licensed foster family homes open statewide, providing a total of 3,394 available beds. The ratio of foster home beds to children in foster care was less than one (.78) at the end of the first quarter. The goal is to have at least one foster home bed available for each child.
Kids in foster care do better in homes, not facilities. We need caring, patient, and flexible foster families who can provide temporary care to kids while we work to get them safely back home to their original families as quickly as possible.
While we need foster homes for all of our kids in foster care, we especially need homes for teens and for sibling groups.
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, visit www.fosterarkansas.org
ARCCC - Creating Connections for Children
Our mission at the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services is to keep children safe and families together. We do that by engaging families and working together to build supports to assist parents and families in successfully and safely caring for their children.
Santa House Hours in Sevier County
Two Retirees Honored at UA Cossatot Christmas Party on Thursday
Jim Fleming of UA Cossatot was honored at the college Christmas party on Thursday for his 19 years of service to UAC. Fleming is retiring at the and of this semester and Dr. Steve Cole presented Jim with a plaque at the event.
Nursing instructor Kay Trotta was recognized for her years of dedicated service on Thursday! Department head Kim Dickerson presented "Mama Kay" with a crystal clock and other gifts at the UAC Christmas party.
UA Cossatot Graduation Tonight in Lockesburg
University of Arkansas Cossatot graduation ceremonies begin at 6:00 Friday night, December 13th, at the Historic Bank of Lockesburg Gymnasium.
UA Cossatot hosts two commencement ceremonies each year, one in the spring and the other in the fall to honor summer, fall, and spring graduates. The 2019 UA Cossatot Commencement Ceremony honoring Summer 2019 and Fall 2019 graduates will be held on December 13, 2019.
Crafting with Clause Coming to Horatio
Horatio High School students Ben Morphew, Jairo Mendoza, Maggy Sandoval, and Kenzey Nelson
Knife Show in De Queen Thursday Night December 12th
Logan Pearce is in our studio today to talk about a big knife show coming to De Queen tonight.
Crafting with Claus in Horatio December 19th
Nashville First Graders at Nashville Rotary
Nashville first graders, under the direction of Stacia Petty, entertained the Nashville Rotary Club on Wednesday!
Center for Student Success Honors Students
On November 19, 2019, the UA Cossatot Center for Student Success held its first awards ceremony to honor outstanding students of the college. The awards ceremony took place in the Skilled Trades building on the De Queen Campus where nominated students were recognized for their accomplishments and hard work.
Students who received awards for special recognition included Kendra Rodriguez, Belen Hernandez, Eruby Rodriguez, Jose Rio, Jessica Aguilar, Jorge Soto, Geraldine Childs, Joel Guerrero, Maggie Cornelio, Yudibeth Herrera, Jhamilex Hernandez Ortiz, America Pulido-Rojas, Karina Lopez-Balderas, Laura Salas, Veronica Marrufo, Angela Vertiz, and Diana Hernandez.
These students were nominated by student organization sponsors, faculty, and staff members of UA Cossatot. Such students have distinguished themselves through outstanding academic achievement, leadership and have demonstrated personal excellence.
Rotaract students were also present at the awards ceremony and were recognized for their contributions to the organization and for following the Rotaract motto of “Service above Self” throughout the fall 2019 semester.
Maria de Monservat, representing the Mexican Consulate of Little Rock, was the invited guest speaker at the event. Along with the Center for Student Success Coordinator, she awarded scholarships at the ceremony to six students also providing everyone with encouraging words. The students who received scholarships included Diana Hernandez, Jose Rio, Jessica Aguilar, Jorge Soto, Laura Salas, and Veronica Marrufo.
At the event Center for Student Success Coordinator, Erika Buenrrostro spoke about the services and opportunities that the Center for Student Success provides for students of the college.
The second annual Center for Student Success Awards Ceremony is scheduled to take place in November of 2020.
Photo (from left to right) includes: Diana Hernandez, Jose Rio, Jessica Aguilar, Maria de Monservat, Jorge Soto, Laura Salas, Veronica Marrufo, and Erika Buenrrostro.
Photo (from left to right): top row: Kendra Rodriguez, Belen Hernandez, Eruby Rodriguez, Jose Rio, Jessica Aguilar, Jorge Soto, Geraldine Childs, and Joel Guerrero. Bottom Row: Maggie Cornelio, Yudibeth Herrera, Jhamilex Hernandez Ortiz, America Pulido-Rojas, Karina Lopez-Balderas, Laura Salas, Veronica Marrufo, Angela Vertiz, and Diana Hernandez.
KCS Holiday Express in De Queen Tuesday
De Queen/Sevier County Chamber Parade Winners
2019 De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce’s
“Christmas Around the World” Parade Winners
The Judges have spoken and the winners for this year’s parade have been chosen and are listed below. For the record, our Judges from Little River County wanted everyone to know that it was VERY close in several categories! Prize Checks will be sent as follows; First place- $100, Second place-$75, and Third place- $50.
We would like to thank the community for another successful parade! We had more entries this year than ever! Many thanks are in order because no one pulls off an event like this without major help and it takes a load of volunteers to make this possible which means that everyone working is working for free but it is all a labor of love! The Chamber would like to thank Sevier County Judge, Greg Ray, for the use of the courthouse lawn and all the work it took to get the Courthouse lit up so beautifully to kick off the Christmas season. Thank you to the City of De Queen Mayor and City Police Officers and Fire Fighters for helping close streets and direct traffic. Thank you to Loren Hinton for the wonderful job emceeing and streaming live so anyone who wanted to watch could. Thank you to our vendors for the great turnout and all media outlets for coverage of the parade! Finally, thank you to ALL the volunteers from our community that gave up their Saturday afternoon and night from friends of board members to other community board volunteers, and the UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors.
Hemp Producer Meeting in De Queen December 19th
Sevier County Courthouse Christmas Lighting and De Queen Parade
UA Cossatot OTA Pinning Ceremony at Bank of Lockesburg Historic Gymnasium
UA Cossatot RN Pinning Ceremony at Bank of Lockesburg Historic Gymnasium
UA Cossatot RN Pinning Ceremony was Saturday at noon at the Bank of Lockesburg Historic Gymnasium.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
Monthly revenue reports help to give us a picture of the state’s economy. The reports show us if Arkansans are making more, spending more, and if businesses are doing well. Recent reports have created an optimistic outlook.
Five months into the fiscal year, general revenue for the state continues to exceed expectations. In fact, more gross general revenue was collected this November than any November in state history. November collections totaled $515.2 million. That is $23 million more than November 2018.
Sales tax collections are contributing to the increase in general revenue. This month, the revenue from sales tax was $9.1 million or 4.5% above last year. On a year to date basis, sales and use taxes are 3.1% more than Fiscal Year 2019.
Legislation passed in the 2019 Regular Session began requiring online retailers to collect and remit taxes on in-state purchases. That legislation went into effect in July of this year.
To date, there has been $104.2 million more in gross general revenue collected than this time last year. That is a 3.9% increase.
Individual income tax collections are $73 million above this time last year. We anticipate income tax revenue to decrease next year as new legislation lowering income tax takes effect. The top rate for income tax will drop from 6.9% to 6.6% on January 1, 2020. It will drop again to 5.9% on January 1, 2021.
Corporate income taxes are also showing an increase from last year.
All of these increases reflect our low unemployment rate and healthy consumer confidence. The unemployment rate in Arkansas is 3.5%, just slightly below the national average.
By monitoring the state’s revenue closely, we are able to create a budget that best serves the needs of the public. Budget hearings for the next fiscal year begin March 4. We convene for the 2020 Fiscal Session on April 8.
You can review the monthly revenue reports at www.dfa.arkansas.gov.
Department of Finance and Administration
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