NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) is a public two-year college located in Benton and Washington counties, in the U.S state of Arkansas. The main campus is located in Bentonville Arkansas. Total enrollment for fall semester of 2014 was 8,020.
History
NWACC was founded by voters in the Bentonville and Rogers Public School Districts on August 15, 1989, when they passed by a 65-percent margin a 3-mill property tax to support the new institution. NWACC opened its doors to 1,200 students in August 1990 and has in excess of approximately 8,000 college credit students (Spring 2013), making it one of the largest and fastest growing two-year college in Arkansas. An additional 6,000 students are served by through non-credit courses throughout the service area.
In the early days, NWACC was known as the "College without walls" because it solved the problem of not having enough "bricks and mortar" funding to build classrooms by conducting classes in a variety of buildings throughout the community.
Faculty often had to transport learning materials, equipment, and even laboratory specimen in their personal vehicles from one location to another to meet with students.
Academics and Rankings
Northwest Arkansas Community College offers many areas of study leading to associate degrees. NWACC also provides online classes. In 2006, NWACC was accepted as a participant in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). In October 2012 NWACC received a letter of reaffirmation of accreditation from HLC for duration of seven years. The HLC is an independent corporation and one of two commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), which is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission accredits degree-granting, post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.
Campuses
Main campus
Northwest Arkansas Community College
Off Campuses
Washington County Center-(WCC) Farmington Center-(FARMHS) The Jones Center- (JCF) Adult Education Center- (AdEd) Regional Technology Center-(RTC)
Satellite facilities
All together there are five other branches of Northwest Arkansas Community College, including Washington County Center in Springdale, Farmington Center in Farmington, The Jones Center in Springdale, Regional Technology Center in Fayetteville, and Adult Education Center in Rogers. Additionally, NWACC includes online courses.
Main Campus
Northwest Arkansas Community College is right off of highway I-49. The main campus includes ShewMaker Center for Global Business Development, Center for Health Professions, and a nature preserve.
Clubs and Organizations
There are 29 registered student organizations on campus including special interest,religious, international and cultural organizations, and many more. The most recognized student organization on campus is the Student Government Association, sometimes simply called "SGA." The student government is active in managing student fees, meeting with key university administrators and is actively involved in many important decisions made on the Northwest Arkansas Community College Campus.
Notable faculty and students
- Douglas E Krueger, author
Jason Sharp, President
Notes
External links
- Northwest Arkansas Community College
- Degree Plans