University of Arkansas, NWACC Representatives Sign Pact Regarding Child Advocacy Studies Courses

Photo Submitted

Ashok Saxena, incoming provost at the University of Arkansas, prepares to take the pen from Evelyn E. Jorgenson, president of NorthWest Arkansas Community College, during a signing ceremony on Thursday, May 28. Leaders from the two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the transfer of certain child advocacy studies courses from the community college to the University of Arkansas.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (May 28, 2015) – Representatives from the University of Arkansas and NorthWest Arkansas Community College today signed a memorandum of understanding that allows the transfer of courses in child advocacy to transfer to UA.

This particular agreement provides the opportunity for NWACC students who complete NWACC courses that adhere to the evidence-based Child Advocacy Studies curriculum offered at both Winona State University and the UA School of Social Work to transfer those credits into one of several bachelor’s degree pathways at the UA at the advanced 3000-level.

NWACC students seeking to transfer the courses must meet several requirements. These requirements include earning an associate degree from NWACC and completing the 2000 level classes within the Child Advocacy Studies curriculum at NWACC. Students also must have been admitted to the School of Social Work or be majoring in sociology, criminal justice or psychology in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, or be pursuing a human environmental sciences degree in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, or be pursuing a nursing degree in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing in the College of Education and Health Professions.

Ricky Tompkins, vice president of learning and chief academic officer at NWACC, said the signing ceremony represented another step in the ongoing collaboration and partnership between the two higher education institutions. “This memorandum of understanding allows for a seamless transfer of courses for those students preparing to serve children and who seek to create an environment where all youngsters can be safe and have the opportunity to learn.”

Leaders from the two institutions signing the agreement were Ashok Saxena, University of Arkansas incoming provost, and  Evelyn E. Jorgenson, president of NorthWest Arkansas Community College. A number of other representatives from the University of Arkansas and NWACC were in attendance in addition to representatives from Gundersen Health System.

The signing occurred inside the mock courtroom of the Melba Shewmaker Southern Region National Child Protection Training Center, which is a collaborative partnership with Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center. The center serves current and future child protection professionals in a 16-state region and seeks to teach all mandated reporters, teachers, social workers, counselors, law enforcement officers, first responders, health professionals, attorneys, and members of the judicial and child care systems to recognize, report and respond to child abuse and maltreatment.

Tompkins noted prior to the signing ceremony that during the next 18 months more than 30 non-credit training sessions are being planned at the regional center in Bentonville.