ACC

🌟 Join us in congratulating Emma Bergman, recipient of the 2026 Black River Technical College Outstanding Alumni Award! Your achievements reflect the excellence and opportunity that define Arkansas community colleges.

Since graduating from BRTC, Emma has launched multiple agriculture and retail businesses. She has The Little Blue Market, a local farmers market and cafe; Knotts Creek Farms, a Vital Farms egg contractor; and Bergman Farms, a livestock and hay operation managed alongside her husband. Along with running multiple businesses, Emma is also known for always giving back to her community. Not only does she provide area farmers and vendors with retail outlets, she also gives back through sponsorships, donations, and volunteer work. Emma is also an active member of the Skaggs Church of Christ. She is married to Luke Bergman and they have two children, Bonner and Lily.

Congratulations on this exciting milestone and all that lies ahead.

Hats off to Mason Sillavan on receiving the 2026 UA Cossatot Outstanding Alumni Award! Your commitment to your profession and your community continues to inspire others.

Mason Sillavan is a 2024 graduate of the Industrial Maintenance program at UA Cossatot. During this time Mason earned numerous certificates and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Mason works as a Level II Maintenance Millwright at Weyerhaeuser Dierks , where he advanced from serving as a student intern. Mason was featured on the cover of Arkansas Next Pros magazine as one of 13 trailblazers reshaping the Arkansas workforce through Weyerhaeuser’s partnership with Be Pro Be Proud.

In addition to his career, he serves as a volunteer firefighter, a role he has held since age 16, and is committed to hard work, growth, and serving his community.

Cheers to this well-deserved honor and the exciting journey ahead!

🎮 Ready to level up?

Registration is open for the Arkansas Community Colleges Annual Conference, and there’s still time to join us for a lineup of workshops designed to help you unlock new ideas, build new skills, and bring fresh strategies back to your campus.

From engaging discussions to practical takeaways, this year’s sessions are packed with opportunities to learn, connect, and level up your professional development.

Secure your spot today and get ready to press start on an unforgettable conference experience! 🕹️
https://web.cvent.com/event/f59dbd5f-0ee8-4305-aa84-46789e112d1c/register

We're honored to celebrate Eric Gaither as the recipient of the 2026 Arkansas State University Three Rivers Outstanding Alumni Award. Thank you for representing your alma mater with pride and distinction.

He has given back to ASUTR students, taking time to share his research passion and to encourage them to find their own. He implemented programming for the Arkansas Protect Act. Gaither serves on many committees and projects to better communities and further research, such as: Apprenticeship Experience of Justice -Involved Individuals in Arkansas: Barriers to Success, Arkansas Inmates at Risk of Su***de report, and Improving Client Services Through Science & Practice: Assessing the Arkansas Division of Community Correction's Reentry Program, which was published in the American Parole and Probation Association.

Best wishes as you continue making a meaningful impact in your field and community.

Join us in recognizing Kimberly Kay, whose dedication to growth at Scott Family Amazuem has earned her the honor of the 2026 Outstanding NorthWest Arkansas Community College Alumni Award.

Kimberly Kay is a strategic leader in museum operations, serving as Senior Manager of Retail and Guest Services at the Amazeum in Bentonville, Arkansas. She has led a full transformation of the museum’s retail operations, growing revenue to four times its original level through data driven systems, strong financial controls, and mission aligned merchandising. Her role has expanded to include oversight of guest services, event rentals, and the development and launch of new food and beverage initiatives, helping create sustainable earned revenue streams and meaningful guest experiences.

Congratulations on this exciting recognition!

Where do Arkansas's nurses, teachers, business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders get their start?

For many, it started at their local community college.

This month, we're celebrating the Outstanding Alumni Award recipients from Arkansas's community colleges. Each honoree was nominated by their college in recognition of their professional achievements, leadership, and service to their communities.

Their stories are proof that extraordinary futures can begin close to home.

Follow along all of August as we honor the alumni who represent the very best of Arkansas community colleges.

On October 11-13, community college leaders, faculty, staff, and partners from across Arkansas will gather in Hot Springs to learn from one another, share ideas, and strengthen the work happening on our campuses. Level Up 2026 ACC Conference is the perfect place to:

🎮 Connect face-to-face with decision-makers from Arkansas's community colleges
🎯 Increase your visibility through brand placement on conference materials and event signage
🚀 Demonstrate your commitment to strengthening higher education and workforce development

If your organization is passionate about supporting higher education, workforce development, and student success, we'd love to partner with you.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Visit https://simplebooklet.com/2026sponsorshipopportunities3 or contact [email protected] today!

We just added a new Administrative Support Specialist to the Arkansas Community Colleges team! Say hello to Bailey Redden!

In this role, Bailey ensures every interaction with ACC is organized, responsive, and seamless. Behind the scenes, she coordinates meetings, events, and daily operations that allow our team to better serve Arkansas's community colleges. Her attention to detail, strong communication skills, and commitment to exceptional service help create a positive experience for members every step of the way.

Before joining ACC, Bailey spent five years in administrative support, communications, and marketing, where she developed expertise in project coordination, event planning, scheduling, and organizational communication. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Ouachita Baptist University.

We're excited to have Bailey on the team and know our members will enjoy working with her. Please join us in giving her a warm ACC welcome!

Supporting professional growth extends beyond ACC's own programs. Last week, ACC attended the Arkansas Association of College and University Business Officers (AACUBO) Summer Drive-In at National Park College, joining higher education professionals from across the state for a day of learning and collaboration.

Attendees received important updates from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and Arkansas Legislative Audit, while ACC proudly sponsored the NACUBO session on Accounting Fundamentals, reinforcing its commitment to equipping community college professionals with the knowledge and resources they need to excel.

By investing in the people who keep our colleges running, we're strengthening institutions, expanding opportunities for students, and helping build a brighter future for Arkansas.

📸: Tristan Creasy of ASU Three Rivers and Bille Egli of UA Pulaski Tech