UCA President discusses changes coming to higher ed, ‘enrollment cliff’

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

University of Central Arkansas President Dr. Houston Davis has helped guide the Conway-based university to some solid enrollment gains over the last four years. Earlier this fall, UCA welcomed one of its largest incoming freshman classes with 2,183 students, marking a 26% increase in incoming students from fall 2023, according to preliminary data.

The incoming freshman class represents the largest year-to-year increase in at least 25 years with 446 more students over last year. This cohort of 2,183 is the second-largest incoming freshman class among all Arkansas four-year universities for the ninth consecutive fall.

Overall enrollment for fall 2024 at UCA is 10,123 which is a 3.4% gain from the previous year. New graduate and transfer students, as well as the incoming freshman class, helped to fuel overall growth at the university.

UCA President discusses changes coming to higher ed, ‘enrollment cliff’

Public Schools and Colleges in SW Arkansas COVID-19 Active Case Numbers

The ADH has released their most recent report on the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges, and the numbers for most area schools continue to trend downward. Some area schools of note include:

UA Cossatot, Mineral Springs, Kirby: less than 5 ( ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy)

Mena 8

De Queen 5

Ashdown 5

Centerpoint 5

Nashville 8

South Pike County 13

Horatio 9

Texarkana, AR 8

Cossatot River 7

Dierks 5

Foreman 6

For the complete report, please visit:

https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/School_Report_09272021.pdf

Latest COVID-19 Cases in Public Schools and Colleges in Arkansas

The ADH has released their most recent report on the rise of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges. Some area schools of note include:

UA Cossatot less than 5 ( ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy)

Mena 51

De Queen 33

Ashdown 32

Centerpoint 28

Nashville 24

Caddo Hills 23

South Pike County 23

Horatio 16

Mineral Springs 14

Foreman 13

Texarkana, AR 13

Cossatot River 8

Kirby 8

Dierks 5

For the complete report, please visit:

https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/School_Report_09062021.pdf

Arkansas Trucking Academy Begins at 4 College Sites

by Sarah Campbell-Miller

The Arkansas Trucking Academy — the state’s first public program of its kind — will see its first students today.

The academy is offered by a consortium of four community colleges and supported by a $720,000 two-year grant at a time when a driver shortage is being keenly felt throughout the state and nationwide.

The consortium comprises Arkansas State University Three Rivers in Malvern, University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana in Hope, UA Cossatot’s Nashville campus and UA Rich Mountain in Mena. They are hoping to train 80 truck drivers per year, 20 at each location, through four- to five-week classes, according to ASU Three Rivers Chancellor Steve Rook.

https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/136873/arkansas-trucking-academy-begins-at-4-college-sites

A first-of-its-kind Arkansas Trucking Academy seeks to ease a driver shortage.