October is Careers in Construction Month. At UACCM, our Construction Technology program prepares students to enter the profession, but Kayla Noland has gone above and beyond to equip herself for a successful career in construction after completing the program.  “I knew I needed to start the next chapter of my life and when I was researching programs of study, Construction Technology fit in line with my interests and skills,” said Kayla Noland, first-year Construction Technology student at UACCM.  Despite no formal training prior to attending UACCM or family history with construction, Noland has excelled in the construction field both academically and professionally. Recently, she received the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Greater Little Rock Chapter 12 scholarship in the amount of $500. She also received the Build Your Future Scholarship from the National Center for Construction Education & Research in the amount of $2000, one of only 10 recipients ...

  This week, we have celebrated people from the UACCM community recognized by Arkansas Community Colleges. Last, but certainly not least, is All-Star Student, Tania Armas! Tania is a second-year Associate of Science student from Clinton, Arkansas. Even before coming to UACCM, Tania was an exemplary high school student. In addition to cheer squad and track accomplishments, she qualified for national competitions in both Beta and FCCLA. She was also homecoming queen! As a senior, she was intimidated by the idea of transferring to a larger university, but UACCM gave her confidence to pursue her career goals and she is thankful for UACCM’s faculty and staff. “I would choose UACCM again!” Tania said. For Tania, being chosen as All-Star Student still feels surreal. While she was a great student in high school, she felt like she missed out on some of the academic achievements she could’ve pursued. Being in UACCM’s honors program and challenging herself academically has paid off, and she h...

  For the rest of the week, we are celebrating people from the UACCM community recognized by Arkansas Community Colleges. Next up is Outstanding Staff, Anna Halbrook! Anna serves as a Fiscal Support Analyst in purchasing and has worked for UACCM for six years. She chose UACCM because she wanted to work in the Morrilton community for an employer that cares about the area. Originally from Conway, Anna is no stranger to the Morrilton community she has been a part of for decades. Her husband, Les, is a native of Morrilton and she is active in her church and county Extension club. “I started my journey with UACCM in 1984 as a student of Petit Jean Vo-Tech,” Anna said. “It is great to see how the college has grown over the years.” One of Anna’s top priorities is student success and she genuinely cares for the students she serves. Anna also acts as the glue that connects staff, organizing potlucks and activities throughout the year. Anna, along with the other ACC awardees, will be recogni...

  For the rest of the week, we are celebrating people from the UACCM community recognized by Arkansas Community Colleges. Next up is Outstanding Faculty, Mr. Dane Blanchard! Blanchard is an Instructor of Sociology and has been at UACCM for 13 years. Originally from West Monroe, Louisiana, he attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe. After moving to Morrilton, he began teaching and has loved it ever since. “UACCM is a wonderful college. The faculty and staff really care about the students and want every student to reach all their life goals,” Blanchard said. “UACCM has given me a wonderful career in higher education which I will always appreciate.” Blanchard, along with the other ACC awardees, will be recognized at a virtual ceremony October 11 and 12.

 For the rest of the week, we are celebrating people from the UACCM community recognized by Arkansas Community Colleges. First up is Outstanding Alumni, Julie Wallace! Julie graduated from UACCM in 2003 with her Associate of General Studies. She went on to University of Central Arkansas to pursue a bachelor’s in education and master’s in reading, as well as Educational Specialist credentials. Julie has now been in education for 16 years, 12 of which she spent at Greenbrier School District before moving to Quitman School District. “I absolutely love education and the power that we have to change lives. I love my job and I love serving the Quitman community,” Julie said.  Julie originally chose UACCM because of the atmosphere; she loved the small class sizes and dedicated professors. She says UACCM was a great option for her and provided a transition from high school to a four-year university.  “When I began my educational journey at UACCM, I really had no idea what profess...