黑料福利社 (NPC) recognized bachelor鈥檚 degree graduates who completed four-year programs on campus through university partnerships during its April Board of Trustees meeting last week, highlighting the continued impact of expanded access to higher education in Hot Springs.
A total of 39 students earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees through partnerships with the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) and Southern Arkansas University (SAU), representing high-demand fields including education, business, nursing, science and technology.
"The Start-Here-Finish-Here model for bachelor's degrees has been fantastic for our students, many of whom may find it difficult to leave Hot Springs to complete their degrees elsewhere,鈥� said Dr. Chuck Argo, vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淭hese opportunities in business, computer science, education, and nursing have grown significantly in the last three years, and we anticipate that these programs will only continue to grow in popularity as a cost-effective and convenient alternative to relocating elsewhere."
Graduates from UAM included 12 in elementary education, nine in business and seven in nursing.
鈥淭he bachelor鈥檚 programs with the University of Arkansas at Monticello are bearing fruit,鈥� said NPC President Dr. Wade Derden. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for this partnership, which allows us to provide important, relevant four-year degrees right here in Hot Springs鈥攅xpanding opportunities for our students while strengthening the workforce in our region.鈥�
Students completing degrees through SAU included three in biology with a pre-health emphasis, one in pre-health professional biochemistry and three in general computer science.
鈥淥ur numbers are growing across these programs, with each cohort larger than the last,鈥� said Jennifer Lyons, dean of instruction. 鈥淛ob placement is strong, and area schools are already requesting our interns for next year. It鈥檚 meaningful to offer these opportunities to our students and our community. Keeping local talent close is the goal, and our students are delivering.鈥�
NPC Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences Janice Ivers highlighted the impact of the RN-to-BSN partnership and its early success.
鈥淭he success of the NPC鈥揢AM RN-to-BSN partnership has been evident from the very beginning,鈥� said Ivers. 鈥淲e launched in July 2025 with nine students, and already seven are on track to complete their final leadership course and graduate this June.鈥�
鈥淭his program has created a seamless pathway for working RNs, building on the 90 credit hours they completed at NPC and their nursing license, with an additional 30 hours through UAM, and provides meaningful scholarship support to help them continue their education,鈥� she added.
鈥淲e鈥檝e learned a great deal in this first year about how to best support these students and ensure the program remains strong moving forward,鈥� Ivers said. 鈥淪eeing these nurses choose to walk at NPC鈥檚 graduation ceremony speaks to the strength of the partnership and their continued connection to our institution.鈥�
For students, completing a bachelor鈥檚 degree locally has created new pathways for advancement while strengthening ties to the community.
鈥淭here has been great support from both NPC and UAM throughout this program,鈥� said Hanna Collie, elementary education graduate. 鈥淎nytime I had questions or felt unsure, faculty were always there to guide me and support me along the way. That support gave me the confidence to step into the classroom and begin my career.鈥�
Collie has accepted a position teaching first grade at Bismarck Elementary School and was named Education Intern of the Year by faculty and her peers.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been an incredible journey for me,鈥� said Sonia Lopez, business graduate. 鈥淚 graduated from NPC in 2013, and over the years I developed a strong interest in business. When the opportunity to pursue my bachelor鈥檚 degree became available, I felt called to take that next step.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the guidance and encouragement I received from my instructors throughout the program and I鈥檓 excited to see what comes next,鈥� Lopez said.
鈥淧ursuing my BSN through NPC鈥檚 partnership with UAM has been incredibly rewarding and allowed me to continue my education right here in our community,鈥� said Jessica Weatherford, BSN graduate. 鈥淭he relationships I built with instructors at NPC gave me the confidence to take this next step.
Now, I鈥檓 teaching in the Simulation Lab, helping shape the next generation of nurses while giving back to the program that invested in me and continuing to grow professionally in the community I love and serve,鈥� Weatherford added.
Together, these graduates reflect NPC鈥檚 continued commitment to providing accessible, affordable pathways to four-year degrees while supporting workforce needs across the region.