View Online Regional Workforce Planning Grant Award Notifications LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS – The Arkansas Department of Higher Education has announced projects selected by members of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet to receive Regional Workforce Planning Grants under the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015 (Act 1131 of 2015). Institutions were notified of the awards on September 30, with the following projects approved for funding: • Arkansas State University Mid-South: Arkansas Delta Accelerating Pathways Together (ADAPT) • Arkansas State University - Mountain Home: Creating a Talent Pipeline to Advanced Manufacturing • Arkansas State University - Mountain Home: Programming/Mobile Application Development • Arkansas State University – Newport: Northeast Arkansas Educating Agriculture Technology (EAT) • Arkansas Tech University Ozarks: Arkansas Tech University Career Training Alliance • Black River Technical College: Training Tomorrow’s Workers Today • Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas – Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnership: Building the Pipeline • College of the Ouachitas: High School Pre-Apprenticeship Career Pathways • North Arkansas College: Advanced Manufacturing and Emerging Clinical Healthcare Workforce Initiative • National Park College: Innovative Technologies Center of Excellence • Northwest Arkansas Community College: Regional Construction Technology Pathway • Philander Smith College: Central Arkansas Center for Workforce Innovation and Strategic Economic Public Private Partnerships (WISE P3) • Rich Mountain Community College: Expanding Workforce Programs in Rural Arkansas • Southern Arkansas University Tech: Aerospace Defense Sector Certification Pathways Planning Grant • South Arkansas Community College: Futures in Information Technology (FIT) • University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton: University of Arkansas Workforce Alliance • University of Arkansas Fayetteville: IT Readiness • University of Arkansas Fort Smith: Data Analytics Academy • University of Arkansas Fort Smith: Automation Academy • University of Arkansas at Monticello: Workforce Alliance of Southeast Arkansas • University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: Jefferson STEM Work Initiative Projects were awarded based on how well they met several core requirements built around career and technical education pathways for students and how well they convey four critical elements of their planning strategy, including program need, program plan, strength of community partnerships and a budget plan. The Regional Workforce Grants will be implemented in three stages. These projects that have been awarded planning grants will be eligible to apply for Implementation Grants in June of 2016 and Continuation Grants in 2018. The Regional Workforce Grant Program seeks to create a statewide, comprehensive structure enabling students in Arkansas universities, community colleges and secondary centers to participate in career and technical education programs developed with input from area employers and address critical workforce skills gaps. The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet is comprised of representatives from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, the Arkansas Department of Education, the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, the Arkansas Department of Career Education and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Grant funds are expected to be distributed later this month. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education is responsible for carrying out the policy directives of the AHECB, reviewing college and university academic programs and developing funding recommendations for the state’s 11 public universities and 22 public two-year colleges as well as several other post-secondary entities. In addition, the agency is responsible for distributing approximately $150 million annually from state revenues and lottery funds. For more information, visit www.adhe.edu. FALL FESTIVAL The Student Government Association sponsored Fall Festival will be held on Thursday, October 22, 6:00pm-9:00pm. This event is for all ages! There is no cost and everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the fun! Wear costumes! Trick or Treat! Play games! Hypnotist show at 8:00pm! The Arkansas Community Colleges (ACC) Annual Conference was held recently at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Those recognized at the banquets held during the conference include College of the Ouachitas Outstanding Staff, Faculty, and Alumni, as well as the 2015 Academic All-Star. Student Essay: "The Clock Tower" This is part two of a two part series. These student essays were written in Mr. Joel Railsback's Composition class during the Spring 2015 semester. The Clock Tower at College of the Ouachitas by Kristen Arnold I am currently enrolled as a student at College of the Ouachitas located in Malvern, Arkansas, and I am proud to say we have a beautiful campus. The modern updates made to our school have truly improved the campus, transforming it over time into a work of art. The new architectural look of the school buildings can only be enhanced by the sculpture of a clock tower in front of the College drive. The sculpture is made of what looks like iron, steel, Plexiglas, and concrete. It is obviously assembled into a permanent installation built on a rock-embedded concrete base. I enjoy the color tones made up of blue and gray because the gray brings a very modern look and feel to the sculpture. There is also a big clock assembled in the top of the sculpture. I will say that it is convenient to be able to look up and, in an instant, know what time it is, especially when you are a student rushing around campus trying to get to your classes. However, I’m sure that was not the artist’s only intention with this sculpture. It is also somewhat transparent making use of many positive and negative shapes. The style the artist used with the steel rods leading up to the top almost give the sculpture the look of a lintel and post assembly with the clock being its main attraction. This sculpture has intense meaning built right into it. The concrete and rock base seems to be a representation of stability. The clock in the center obviously stands out as a representation of timing. We have all heard, “It’s never too early or too late to improve your education.” The steel and iron rods that maintain the posture of the sculpture seem to represent the dedication it takes to achieve a college education or degree. Without dedication your education is sure to fail, much like the sculpture without the rods to hold it up in the center. My evaluation of this particular sculpture is a positive one. I am a much more empowered student than I used to be and it is because of the dedicated teachers and various techniques our school exercises with its students. I believe the clock tower sculpture is a fantastic representation of College of the Ouachitas and the interpretations intended by the artist couldn’t be any more perfect. I now take the time to stop and look at the tower, not only to simply see what time it is in the day, but also to absorb some of the positive light I see glowing from it. COTO in the Community October 23 - College of the Ouachitas will be taking over the Bismarck High School concession stand during the game on Friday, October 23rd. The Lions will take on the Episcopal Wildcats. This is Senior Night for Bismarck. COTO will be dishing out some nachos and serving up hot dogs while showing support for the Bismarck community. October 30 - The College of the Ouachitas grill will be rolling to Malvern High school for a Tailgate Party on Friday, October 30 beginning at 5:00 p.m. Burgers, chips, cookie and drink will be served for $5 donation per plate. Proceeds will benefit the Malvern Athletic Booster Club. November 3 - The third session of the COTO Foundation Planned Giving Seminars will be held on Tuesday, November 3, at 6:00pm. This final session is titled: "Script Your Family's Future: Why You Need an Estate Plan". This is a free seminar. For more information, contact Amber Childers, Executive Director of College Advancement, at 501- 332-0234. November 13 - College of the Ouachitas in Ouachita High School concession stand! This will be a basketball game. Watch for more COTO in the Community upcoming events as they are scheduled! College of the Ouachitas One College Circle Malvern, AR 72104 Update your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe.