NATIONAL PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PRESS RELEASE

HSU To Offer Education Courses on the NPCC Campus

Henderson State University and National Park Community College signed a memorandum of understanding allowing education majors from NPCC to obtain an undergraduate degree and teacher certification on the Hot Springs campus. Dr. Charles Welch, President, HSU, and Dr. Sally Carder, President, NPCC, signed the agreement providing streamlined admissions, course transfer, advising, financial aid, registration, and student services for students pursuing a teaching degree from HSU. “The signing is indicative of the strong and mutually-beneficial relationship between the two institutions,” Dr. Carder stated. “The partnership provides an opportunity for our students in Hot Springs and this area to achieve a Bachelor’s degree without having to drive to another campus. This also reaffirms NPCC’s commitment in meeting the educational goals of our constituents.”

Under the agreement, any student who completes the articulated 67 credits at National Park Community College with a GPA of 2.5 or better, can transfer into HSU’s Teachers College where they can complete the remaining credits toward a bachelor’s degree and teacher licensure. The remaining upper level credits will be offered on the NPCC campus beginning Fall 2008. “This collaborative relationship will enhance service for our constituents, support a smooth transfer experience, minimize duplication of instruction and build on community college and university learning experiences” said Dr. Welch. “This also reaffirms HSU’s commitment to community partnerships in recruiting and graduating teachers for Arkansas.”

Dr. Judy Harrison, Dean of the Teachers College at HSU, welcomes the opportunity to work with NPCC in providing future teachers a seamless avenue to their educational goals. “The purpose of this effort is to remove the barriers of time and distance for students pursuing a teaching degree from HSU. The partnership affords students who cannot go to the HSU campus because of time constraints, family, or work obligations, an avenue to complete the four-year degree locally.”

The HSU/NPCC partnership in teacher education is just one of the innovative collaborations being developed by the institutions. Business, nursing, early childhood, and graduate programs are in the pipeline. Dr Brad Moody, NPCC’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, noted “this is an exemplary model of a community college and university working together for the benefit of students.” More information on the partnership may be obtained by contacting the Teachers College at Henderson State University or the Counseling Center at National Park Community College.