University of Arkansas to Offer Spring ACT Prep Classes

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas College Access Initiative is once again offering ACT prep classes to high school students in Northwest Arkansas. The Spring Academy of the College Access Initiative is an outreach program to extend college readiness across the state and increase the number of underrepresented students enrolling at the university. College Access began offering five-week ACT prep classes in Northwest Arkansas in 2010.

The Spring Academy includes five classes, beginning March 5, that prepare students for the April 14 ACT test. Classes will cover all ACT subject areas, including English, math, reading, and science. Any current high school sophomores or juniors interested in improving ACT performance are encouraged to apply. The cost is $150, and classes are limited to 15 students per section. A limited number of partial fee-waivers will be available to students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Classes will meet at the University of Arkansas Multicultural Center in the Arkansas Union on Mondays and Tuesdays. Students may enroll in one of three class sections offered. The classes will meet from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A full list of class dates is listed below.

Students and parents can register for one of the academy classes by sending an e-mail to Bryan Hembree at hembree@uark.edu. The email should include the following information: class location, student name, high school, grade level, GPA, test scores and dates taken, guardian name, address, home phone, student mobile phone, student email, parent mobile phone and parent email.

“College Access Initiative in an affordable five-week ACT prep program,” said Hembree, who co-directs the program. “The class will focus on motivating strategies and a fresh approach to the ACT, and all four subject areas of the ACT – English, math, reading, science reasoning – will be covered. Sophomores and juniors of all levels will benefit from this unique approach to test prep.”

The class will begin with a broad conversation about the college planning process and the ACT test. Students will gain a roadmap for the five-week class, which includes strategies to help students:

• Conquer the balance between speed and accuracy

• Remove mental blocks that inhibit performance

• Gain familiarity and confidence with the test format

• Understand the role the test plays in the college planning process

• Move toward their true potential on the test

“Getting the message to high school students that taking the ACT is critical to gaining college entrance is one of our priorities,” said Leslie Yingling, co-director. “The data shows that the more times students take the ACT, the greater their score is, which opens the door to numerous possibilities in terms of college selection and scholarship opportunity.” 


The ACT Academy is organized by Hembree and Yingling, co-directors of College Access Initiative, a new educational opportunity program within the office of diversity affairs at the University of Arkansas. College Access Initiative partners with schools, educators, organizations and communities to offer ACT prep and other outreach to improve college access among Arkansas students. Hembree is the former director of the office of academic scholarships, and Yingling has directed a number of academic enrichment programs such as Upward Bound. Both have extensive experience taking and teaching the ACT.

During the 2009-10 academic year, Charles Robinson, vice provost for diversity affairs, traveled around Arkansas, building relationships with key high schools. His goal was to determine how the university could provide better services. One result of those conversations was the College Access Initiative, which consolidates existing ACT outreach efforts and extends new services across the state, allowing the University of Arkansas to take the lead in providing support to students who want to make the transition to college. Robinson and his staff are continuing those statewide visits this academic year.

Test Prep Class Schedules — Full details will be sent via email upon registration. Students may sign up for one of three sessions.

University of Arkansas
Mondays – 6-7:30 p.m.
March 5, 12 and 26; April 2 and 9

University of Arkansas
Tuesdays – 6-7:30 p.m.
March 6, 13 and 27; April 3 and 10