Arkansas State University-Beebe

Arkansas State University-Beebe

Other name	Junior Agriculture College of Central Arkansas
Former names	Arkansas State College-Beebe Branch
Type	Public two-year college system
Established	1927 (1927)
Parent institution	Arkansas State University System
Chancellor	Dr. Karla Fisher
Location	Beebe , Arkansas , USA
Campus	Multiple campuses
Language	English
Mascot	Vanguard
Website	www.asub.edu

Arkansas State University-Beebe is a public two-year college system located in central Arkansas, with its flagship campus in Beebe, Arkansas. The ASU-Beebe system is a subset of the Arkansas State University System.

Campuses

• Arkansas State University-Beebe and the Arkansas State Technical Institute (flagship campus)
• Arkansas State University-Searcy, a technical campus of ASU-Beebe
• Arkansas State University-Heber Springs, a technical campus of ASU-Beebe
• Arkansas State University-Little Rock Air Force Base, a degree center of ASU-Beebe in Jacksonville

History

ASU-Beebe was established in 1927 as the Junior Agricultural School of Central Arkansas. Since that time, it has been in continuous operation under four other names — from 1931 to 1954 as Junior Agriculture College of Central Arkansas, Arkansas State College-Beebe Branch from 1955 to 1967, Arkansas State University-Beebe Branch from 1967 to 2001, and has since been known as Arkansas State University-Beebe.

The institution operates under the policies of the Board of Trustees and the President of the Arkansas State University System, but programs at the campuses of ASU-Beebe function separately under the leadership of a chancellor.

Act 496, enacted by the General Assembly in 1985, established Arkansas State Technical Institute at Arkansas State University-Beebe to provide educational programs which combine academic skills and vocational training in highly technical employment areas.

In 1991, the state legislature merged White River Vocational-Technical School in Newport with ASU-Beebe. The Newport campus became ASU-Newport, and was the first campus outside of Beebe for ASU-Beebe. As of 2000, ASU-Newport was approved as a stand-alone campus, and now reports directly to the ASU System, its Board of Trustees, and the President.

In the late 1990s, local community leaders in Heber Springs expressed interest in gaining a college campus. After a time of analysis and study, ASU-Heber Springs, the first technical campus of ASU-Beebe, was established in 1999.

In 2003, Foothills Technical Institute in Searcy merged with ASU-Beebe to become ASU-Searcy, the second technical campus of ASU-Beebe.

The college also operates a degree center at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville.

In 2016 ASU-Beebe saw the retirement of long-time Chancellor, Dr. Eugene McKay as well as the introduction of a new mascot, the Vanguard.

Programs of Study

ASU-Beebe has established itself as a center of academic excellence, continually having one of the highest retention and graduation rates among Arkansas two-year colleges. It offers high-quality Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degrees with the option of choosing coursework from the fine arts, the sciences, the social sciences, education, health sciences, mathematics, foreign languages, English, and history. In addition, ASU-Beebe has the only Associate of Fine Arts degree programs in Music and Theater available at any two-year college in the state. To ensure students have the personal attention needed to succeed, ASU-Beebe offers small class sizes, great access to faculty, and full-time tutoring for students.

Upon completion of an associate degree, students have the option of continuing their education by pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees at the ASU-Beebe campus through programs offered by the ASU-Jonesboro Degree Center. Eight Bachelor of Science degrees may be obtained: Business Administration, Business Management, Agricultural Business, Technology, Early Childhood Education, Mid-Level Education, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, and Nursing. Three master's degrees are available on-site: Business Administration, Educational Leadership, and Curriculum Development and Instruction.

ASU-Beebe is a leader in the state for vocational and technical education, serving approximately 5000 continuing education or industry students each year. In addition to Associate of Applied Science degrees, the Associate of General Education degree, and the Associate of Science in Health Sciences degree, ASU-Beebe offers certificates of proficiency and one-year technical certificates that are designed to prepare students to meet the needs of today’s rapidly evolving industries. Through its advanced technology division, programs are available with emphasis on the fast-changing needs of a modern industrial society. Advanced technology programs offered include computer systems and networking technology, computer-aided drafting/design, industrial technology, general technology, John Deere agriculture equipment technology, electronics technology, and medical laboratory technology. In 2007, ASU-Beebe founded the state’s only veterinary technician training program. ASU-Beebe also offers a full spectrum of occupational technology programs, including automotive technology, auto body repair, computerized machining technology, diesel technology, industrial electronics, air conditioning, upholstery, and welding technology. In its allied health division, ASU-Beebe offers programs such as licensed practical nursing, emergency medical services, pharmacy technician science, and paramedics.

Accreditation

ASU-Beebe is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The institution is also accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. ASU-Beebe is certified by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, the Arkansas Office of Emergency Medical Services, the Arkansas Department of Human Services, and the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation. ASU-Beebe is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association for its veterinary technology program. ASU-Beebe is currently seeking accreditation from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists for its pharmacy technician science program, and from the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for the EMS Professions for its emergency medical services program. Arkansas State University-Beebe is ranked 1st in campus safety among 2000 USA colleges.

External links

• ASU-Beebe official site
• ASU System official site