BENTONVILLE -- Northwest Arkansas Community College has earned recognition from a national publication for a program that introduces high school students to college life.
University Business magazine chose the college for its winter 2015 "Models of Excellence" program, which honors higher-education institutions for implementing "innovative, effective and inter-departmental initiatives that are bolstering student success," according to the magazine's website.
Northwest Arkansas Community College was one of 17 colleges and universities chosen for the honor in this award cycle. Others included the University of San Diego, Syracuse University and Florida State University.
The college in 2012 developed its Learning, Improvement, Fun and Empowerment program to connect minority-group and underserved students in area high schools with mentors from the college.
The mentors, all first-generation college students, travel to the high schools throughout the year to build relationships with teens. During a three-day program on the campus each summer, the high school students engage in fun activities while learning about admissions and college life.
This summer the program had 125 participants, its best turnout. Of those, 123 indicated they planned to enroll at the college, according to Codie Ryan, the program's director.
A college news release quoted Todd Kitchen, vice president of student services, as saying the college is pleased by the honor.
"This recognition allows our program national recognition," Kitchen said. "We hope this recognition will assist other institutions in building similar programs aimed at increasing access and success for our underrepresented student populations."
University Business is geared toward higher-education leaders at two- and four-year colleges and universities nationwide.
Metro on 11/20/2015