Last month saw the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton celebrate its graduating class of 2023, awarding over 1,000 associate degrees, technical certificates, certificates of proficiencies, and certificates of general education.  Many of the students awarded have plans to continue their education in various ways, such as utilizing one of the many transfer agreements UACCM has with four-year universities in the state, such as Arkansas Tech University, University of Arkansas, University of Central Arkansas, and more.  Additionally, several students are forgoing continued formal education and jumping right into their careers. This is the case for 19-year-old Daniel Clemons, a welding technology student from Conway. On May 22, just two days after UACCM Commencement, Clemons began his career with Smith Underground in Sherwood. Despite beginning his career while still a teenager, Clemons says his journey was anything but straightforward.  “In my junior year of high school, I

The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) will invest a $100,000 grant from Johnson Controls in training and educational opportunities to support students in the college’s Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology (HVAC) program. UACCM is one of 10 colleges nationwide to receive a grant this year through Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program.  As thousands of skilled technicians are projected to leave the workforce each year over the next decade due to heightened retirements or career changes, UACCM and Johnson Controls share a common goal of prioritizing investments in workforce training and recruitment to bridge the skilled trades gap. This grant will be essential in providing HVAC students with the best education, equipment, training, and mentoring that will lead graduates to successful careers. “UACCM is thrilled with this exciting and important partnership. The leadership and vision of Johnson Controls is to be acknowledged an