Northark President Dr. Rick Massengale presented a graphic showing the presence of campuses affiliated with the University of Arkansas System across Arkansas. (Photo courtesy of North Arkansas College)
Officials with North Arkansas College in Harrison are examining the potential of an affiliation with the University of Arkansas System. During last month’s meeting, the area junior college’s Board of Trustees appointed President Dr. Rick Massengale and Board Chair Luke Feighert to lead discussions and explore the specifics of a possible agreement.
Dr. Massengale says this was something Northark was considering nearly a year ago, but at that moment, the time wasn’t right.
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Northark has been in the exploration process for nearly three weeks. Dr. Massengale says there is a lot of excitement about the potential of an affiliation with the U of A System, but he also wants to make it clear that the institution and its officials intend to maintain its legacy.
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If Dr. Massengale and Feighert come to the conclusion that an affiliation with the U of A System would be best for Northark, they would go back before the Board of Trustees with a resolution. If the board approves, the process to make the full transition is estimated to last 10 to 12 months.
Dr. Massengale says in addition to Northark’s students, he sees this affiliation as a potential benefit for its employees.
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Dr. Massengale says there is no timetable for the exploration process, but he’s hoping to go to the board with his findings in May. If the board votes in favor of the affiliation, it also needs approval from the U of A System Board of Trustees, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, the state legislature and the Higher Learning Commission.
The Northark campus is going to be shut down starting at 1 Tuesday afternoon for approximately an hour-and-a-half. U of A System President Dr. Jay B. Silveria and his cabinet will be in Harrison to address Northark’s employees and answer any questions they may have.
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