Jimmy Arnold began his college career in the fall of 1999 at UA Cossatot and graduated in the spring of 2002 with an Associate of Arts degree. In 2008, Mr. Arnold was hired to teach history and political science at UA Cossatot, where he continues to work as an instructor committed to improving the lives for those in his region.
Jimmy was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up in a small town called Saginaw. After leaving Saginaw, Texas Jimmy moved to De Queen, Arkansas where he has lived for the past forty-eight years.
Before attending college, Jimmy worked in De Queen at Pilgrim’s Pride for twenty-seven years. In 1999, he decided to make a change and enrolled as a student at UA Cossatot. Arnold chose to attend his local community college because it was close to home. He could also get all of his general education courses out of the way before transferring to a four-year college.
To accomplish this goal, he pursued an Associate of Arts degree, which is designed to transfer to any Arkansas four-year university. After graduating in 2002 from UA Cossatot, Jimmy transferred to Henderson State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science. After graduating from Henderson State University, he entered the graduate program at Texas A&M – Texarkana where he graduated with a Master’s of Science degree in 2007.
Jimmy Arnold said, “As far back as I can remember, I have loved history, and I have wanted to teach it. To me, history is so exciting! I am also a big Civil War buff!”
Mr. Arnold has taught State and Local Government in the past, and currently teaches U.S. History and American Government. When asked what his favorite class to teach was he said, “Hands down, my favorite is U.S. History To 1876.”
Mr. Arnold has enjoyed his experience at UA Cossatot as a student and continues to enjoy it as a teacher. As an employee, he said, “My favorite thing about working at UA Cossatot is being able to teach and interact with my students.”
He also said, “My time at UA Cossatot as a student was probably one of the most exciting times in my life! I was very much involved in student organizations. I even served as a Regional Vice President for the Oklahoma/Arkansas Region of Phi Theta Kappa.”
Jimmy recommends anyone who is considering getting a college degree to begin at UA Cossatot. “The support I received, not only from my instructors but from the staff as well, was awesome! UA Cossatot is also great because students can get their basic general education courses out of the way. After that, they can solely focus on their major after they transfer,” said Jimmy Arnold.
When reflecting on his community, family and the history of the college, Jimmy said, “I love De Queen and the people. Back in 2012, my wife and I lost our home in a house fire. The support we received from the people of De Queen was very touching. My wife is known, around De Queen, as Mrs. Jen and she has operated the Happy House Pre-School for 39 years. It was her love, prayers, and support that sustained me during my college years.”
Jimmy added, “To watch the college grow and improve over the last two decades is awesome! I am honored and proud to have had a small part at UA Cossatot, and I hope to continue teaching for many years to come!”
To learn more about UA Cossatot’s Associate of Arts degree or other associates degrees offered at the college, please contact Student Services at 870-584-4471