A comprehensive, public two-year college, North Arkansas College provides a variety of
educational opportunities to the citizens of Boone, Carroll, Marion, Searcy, Newton, and
Madison counties in northern Arkansas. A conservative estimate of North Arkansas College’s
return on investment for taxpayers in its service area is over $73.8 million.
Northark offers transfer and technical degree programs, one-year technical certificates,
certificates of proficiency, customized business and industry training, adult basic education
(GED) classes, and non-credit community education courses. In addition, partnerships with area
universities provide the opportunity to achieve a bachelor’s degree in Harrison. The institution is
especially proud of its leadership in the use of educational technology, in community outreach
and partnerships, and in health education.
Two-thirds of degree-seeking students at North Arkansas College during the fall semester of
2009 received fee-based financial aid. Sixty percent (60%) of Northark students are female.
Although most of the college’s students are 18-20 years old, the average age of Northark
students is 27. Allied Health students make up almost one-third of North Arkansas College
graduates. Northark serves many students who are single parents and/or the first in their family
to attend college.
In early spring of 2008, North Arkansas College became the first community college in Arkansas
to become a “Climate Neutral” campus committed to sharply reducing the college’s greenhouse
gas emissions and accelerating efforts to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.
The Carroll County Center opened its doors in the fall of 2008 in Berryville. The new facility
makes the college’s programs and services more accessible to citizens of its second-leading
feeder county.
In August of 2009, construction was completed on an 11,000-square-foot, $3.8 million Allied
Health Addition on the South Campus of North Arkansas College. The structure was added to
the current building on its southwest side. The new area houses classrooms and labs for medical
laboratory technology, surgical technology, and nursing, plus a computer lab for allied health
students and features artwork of local photographer, Tim Ernst.
A “wall-breaking” ceremony in October of 2009, marked the official start of the renovation on
the Bradley Student Center. The Bradley Student Center will provide a “one-stop-shop” for
student services, where students can go for advising, registration, financial aid, payment of their
tuition and fees, and other services. It will also offer an update, more comfortable student
lounge, including the College Grill, as a place for students to relax between classes.
Construction is expected to be complete before the fall semester of 2010.
In 2009, Northark’s Business programs received accreditation from the Association of Collegiate
Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), certifying the teaching and learning processes meets
the rigorous educational standards. This ten year accreditation will be beneficial for business
majors transferring to four year universities and for student applying for business positions upon
graduation.
Northark broke previous enrollment records during the academic year of 2009-2010,
experiencing a 13 percent increase over last year. Even junior and senior high school students
took advantage of the unique opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school by
enrolling in the Northark Technical Center. Enrollment swelled 10 percent from last year. The
Northark Technical Center was formed in 2000 through a collaborative effort between Northark,
area school districts and the Department of Workforce Education. Student curriculum provides
hands-on training in several technical fields.
For university transfer, workforce development, information technology, health care education,
and cultural events, residents of northern Arkansas “Think Northark First.” More information
about North Arkansas College is available through Northark’s Internet home page:
www.northark.edu.