The NWACC Board of Trustees discussed a wide range of campus priorities during its April meeting, including faculty development, student initiatives, facility updates, and a request for increased state funding. The meeting also highlighted upcoming events and ongoing efforts tied to the college’s growth and long-term planning.
One of the meeting’s most significant actions came when the board approved a letter to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders requesting increased state funding for NWACC. Trustees pointed to the college’s continued growth and statewide impact, noting that NWACC served 19,188 students during the 2025 academic year, including 12,331 credit students, 2,936 early college students, and 4,885 professional students. Board members also cited the college’s production of 1,113 associate degrees, 3,202 technical certificates, and 4,643 professional credentials in support of the request. The motion passed unanimously.
Faculty development was also a topic of discussion during the meeting, particularly a new 50/50 hybrid training model designed to support teaching and learning. The model combines asynchronous online instruction, in-person collaborative learning, and independent practice to help faculty build stronger hybrid courses. The presentation from NWACC’s Colleen Lawrence and Jo Schwader also highlighted peer review of assessments, sandbox reviews of course materials, and curriculum alignment efforts aimed at reducing barriers for students and improving accessibility. According to the presentation, about 35 faculty members participated in the training this semester, affecting an estimated 2,567 students.
Campus operations and long-term planning were also part of the discussion, including the launch of a new ServiceNow AI-integrated ticketing system designed to streamline work requests, improve deferred maintenance tracking, and help forecast future replacement needs for roofs, HVAC systems, and other facilities. Campus updates also included information that storm repairs from the May 2024 tornadoes are set to begin May 11 and that a budget workshop will be held April 29 in the boardroom. Together, those updates pointed to the college’s continued focus on both day-to-day operations and long-term institutional planning.
The meeting also highlighted several student and campus life updates, including the upcoming Student Government Association executive election, which ran from April 20 through April 29. Trustees heard that five clubs received funding approval on April 3, pointing to increased student activity and new club growth on campus. The meeting also noted several upcoming events, including Pre-Finals Fest on April 23, the Brightwater White-Coat Ceremony on May 8, and NWACC commencement on May 9 at the Walmart AMP.
Recognition and honors also made up part of the meeting. NWACC was recognized with Golden and Silver awards in the Best of the Best Awards conducted by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and Stephen Kuhn was honored as the institution’s second national champion in e-sports.
Trustees also approved the naming of Room 2012 in the Center for Health Professions as the Jamin Snarr EMS Laboratory, recognizing Snarr’s more than 40 years of service in EMS education and community impact. Snarr retired in January. He is credited with training hundreds of EMS professionals in the region.
The meeting also honored Rafael Rios and Mike Rush as honorary associate degree recipients for community enhancement and entrepreneurial leadership. The honorary degrees will be presented at the May 9 commencement ceremony.
The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session to discuss the president’s contract. The motion to enter the executive session was approved unanimously before the meeting moved downstairs.
