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The development of an associates of applied sciences degree with four potential tracks in various aspects of electrical power plant operations has been endorsed by the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope Board of Visitors.
The board gave its unanimous endorsement Friday to the development of the degree program, which will integrate the technical and industrial department at UACCH into the development of the John W. Turk, Jr., Power Plant by American Electric Power/Southwestern Electric Power Co.
UACCH Vice Chancellor of Academics Jennifer Methvin said the four-track degree plan will be applicable to any power plant operations, but is being developed in light of SWEPCO’s $1.3 billion Turk project at Fulton.
“This took so long because we took great care to develop a program that will enhance the technical and industrial program, and go a long way toward providing employment for graduates,” Methvin said.
She said a letter of intent to offer the degree plan has been submitted to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and a formal scholarship mechanism to utilize a portion of a $1 million endowment by SWEPCO is being developed. That mechanism is expected to provide scholarships over an initial three and one-half year period, she said.
The degree plan is being developed under a cooperative agreement for participation by UACCH, Cossatot College of the University of Arkansas, and Texarkana College, she said.
Methvin said SWEPCO has also agreed to provide an adjunct faculty member to teach core classes. She said the proposed degree program will offer concentration tracks in power plant technology, power plant operations, power plant maintenance, and power plant electrical and instrumentation technology.
The development of an associates of applied sciences degree with four potential tracks in various aspects of electrical power plant operations has been endorsed by the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope Board of Visitors.
The board gave its unanimous endorsement Friday to the development of the degree program, which will integrate the technical and industrial department at UACCH into the development of the John W. Turk, Jr., Power Plant by American Electric Power/Southwestern Electric Power Co.
UACCH Vice Chancellor of Academics Jennifer Methvin said the four-track degree plan will be applicable to any power plant operations, but is being developed in light of SWEPCO’s $1.3 billion Turk project at Fulton.
“This took so long because we took great care to develop a program that will enhance the technical and industrial program, and go a long way toward providing employment for graduates,” Methvin said.
She said a letter of intent to offer the degree plan has been submitted to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and a formal scholarship mechanism to utilize a portion of a $1 million endowment by SWEPCO is being developed. That mechanism is expected to provide scholarships over an initial three and one-half year period, she said.
The degree plan is being developed under a cooperative agreement for participation by UACCH, Cossatot College of the University of Arkansas, and Texarkana College, she said.
Methvin said SWEPCO has also agreed to provide an adjunct faculty member to teach core classes. She said the proposed degree program will offer concentration tracks in power plant technology, power plant operations, power plant maintenance, and power plant electrical and instrumentation technology.
