The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith announced the renewal of their memorandum of understanding Tuesday, continuing a successful engineering partnership that has expanded educational access and strengthened Arkansas' engineering workforce for 24 years.

"This program has helped create affordable pathways for students to obtain their bachelor's degree in engineering and has significantly contributed to the engineering workforce in our state," said Indrajeet Chaubey, provost at Fayetteville. "We're pleased to renew this agreement with UA Fort Smith, continuing a valued partnership that advances our land-grant mission to serve Arkansas."

"Partnership and collaboration like this are what makes the U of A system so strong, combining the statewide mission of U of A and UAFS deep commitment to the River Valley to offer these educational opportunities," said Shadow Robinson, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. "Through these engineering programs in the 2+2 and the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering program on our campus, we are delivering on our mission to advance social mobility and power the economic growth of the region. These engineering programs will continue to ensure that the River Valley and Fort Smith are locations where high tech industries can grow and flourish as we keep the best and brightest right here in the River Valley."

This collaboration has already proven its value, with hundreds of students earning bachelor's degrees through the program and launching successful engineering careers across Arkansas and beyond. The partnership enables students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering directly on the UAFS campus through comprehensive coursework delivered by the U of A.

The agreement establishes a seamless partnership where students who complete pre-engineering coursework or earn an Associate of Science degree from UAFS receive guaranteed admission and seamless transfer into the U of A bachelor's degree program, provided they meet all requirements in the agreed-upon transfer plan.

While earning their degree, students receive support from student services at both universities. UAFS provides support through the ROAR First Year Advising Center, Gordon Kelley Academic Success Center and Babb Center for Career Services. The U of A offers support through Career Connections and the Engineering One-Stop offices.

"This partnership with UAFS has been a great success for many years and we're excited to continue this collaboration for many more years," said Kim Needy, dean of the College of Engineering at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. "Every engineer we graduate through this program strengthens Arkansas' workforce and contributes to our state's economic growth and innovation."

"This celebration of renewed partnership demonstrates a continued commitment by both institutions to serve regional economic needs," said Latisha Settlage, dean of the College of Business and Industry at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. "In the River Valley, graduates of the 2+2 programs in Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering have long supported Manufacturing, the largest economic sector. Through continued partnership with U of A and with the support of our manufacturing partners, UAFS is thrilled to introduce a new degree pathway, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering. AME graduates will be the engineering leaders of the manufacturing future, where production meets digitization to optimize decision-making and efficiency."

The renewed memorandum of understanding was signed by Chancellor Charles Robinson, Chaubey and Needy, for U of A. UAFS signatories were Chancellor Terisa Riley, Robinson and Dean Latisha Settlage.