Higher Education Coordinating Board notebook

Tech's new degree for game designers

Arkansas Tech University will start the state's second game and interactive media design degree program.

The Russellville university got approval from the state's Higher Education Coordinating Board on Friday. Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia started the first program, which that university has said is growing in popularity.

Arkansas Tech's program will provide students courses in graphic design and computer science. The 120-hour program will end with a two-part senior project in which the student creates a game or interactive media project, according to board documents. Students also create portfolios, which the university said will help with employment after graduation.

To be viable, the program would need to have at least 10 students sign up for the fall semester.

Board, foundation '16 officers elected

The Higher Education Coordinating Board chairman will remain in that position in 2016.

Bob Crafton of Rogers will again lead the advisory board, which voted on the officers Friday. Sherrel Johnson of El Dorado will be the vice chairman of the board, and Chris Gilliam of Magnolia will be the board secretary.

The board also voted on officers for its foundation leaders Friday. The foundation provides support for the coordinating board and state Department of Higher Education, and Crafton will also head that board this year.

Charles Allen of Little Rock will be the vice president, and Jim Carr of Searcy will be the secretary and treasurer.

State financial-aid deadline to move

The state Department of Higher Education is working to align its scholarship and financial aid deadlines with that of the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Education moved back the deadlines to Oct. 1, allowing students applying for college to use prior tax information for the applications. The move will allow students to plan their finances for college ahead of time.

Because of that change, the state's deadlines for scholarships and financial aid are off kilter with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid due date, said Brett Powell, the director of the state department. He said the Higher Education Department is aiming to bring its due dates back to Oct. 1, too.

A Section on 01/30/2016

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