Narrowing Your Options

Welcome to the third installment of The State of Education. In this portion we asked the presidents and chancellors of prominent Arkansas colleges and universities the question: Why do students choose to attend your school? Hear what they have to say.

Chancellor, Dr. Steven Murray, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA) is a great choice for any student and the best choice for many. PCCUA is a community college focused single-mindedly and passionately upon the success of our students. As a participant in Achieving the Dream, a national initiative focused on student success, we believe that every student counts. Whether your goal is to graduate from PCCUA and enter the workforce directly, or transfer to a university and earn a bachelor's degree, we can help you succeed. Our faculty knows their stuff and cares about their students. Our advisors and counselors seek to help you overcome every obstacle, both academic and otherwise, between you and your dream. We treat you like family, and we've got the facts to prove it.


Chancellor, Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

There does not exist an institution of higher education, which is the better choice for all students. It is a strength of our nation that we have a diverse menu of institutions from which to choose. State institutions, private institutions, parochial institutions, Land-Grant institutions, HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), and preparatory institutions are some of the choices available. The major consideration for each prospective student should be the degree to which the institution can meet his/her total development needs.
As the second-oldest state institution of higher education in Arkansas and one which is uniquely an HBCU/Land-Grant university with a record of unprecedented contribution to many professions; having provided opportunities for many who otherwise would not have been served, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB)  is now better prepared to serve students than ever before. We are the better choice for many students. UAPB provides the student with a chance to advance. If you have not seen UAPB lately, you should see it now.


President, Dr. Rex M. Horne, Jr., Ouachita Baptist University

I often make the statement in speaking to groups that Ouachita Baptist University is not for everyone. This may sound strange coming from a university president in these days — the competition for students is so great. It is important, therefore, that I explain my perspective. After my opening statement, I go on to emphasize that Ouachita very well
could be for individual students if they are the kind of students who desire an excellent liberal arts education in a Christ-centered learning community. For more than 120 years, Ouachita has fostered a love of God and a love of learning. We see these two pillars as complementary, not contradictory.
It must be working. For the third year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Ouachita as the No. 1 Baccalaureate College in the South. For the second consecutive year, we also have been ranked the No. 1 “Great Schools, Great Prices” university in our 12-state region. That reflects Ouachita’s unwavering commitment to both quality and value.
Our invitation to students is to come “Discover the Ouachita Difference.” This just might be the university for you.


Chancellor, I. Dodd Wilson, M.D., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is unlike any other college in Arkansas. We are a health science campus that educates tomorrow’s physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals, as well as health researchers and educators. We’re the state’s only medical school and have the state’s only College of Public Health.
Our students are able to study in an atmosphere of interdisciplinary collaboration, much as they will practice once they graduate. Today’s health care is practiced in teams; the solo practitioner is a thing of the past. Physicians and nurses work with each other to treat the patient, along with the local pharmacist and other health care specialists.
Students are involved in patient care as part of our teaching hospital and clinics for just about every physical and mental health condition. They study and work alongside world-renowned specialists who are giving of themselves to teach the next generation of health care professionals. Our campus is highly accredited, almost without criticism. Our students can be sure they are receiving an education in their chosen health care field that is among the best in the nation.

President, Dr. Donald V. Weatherman, Lyon College

Lyon College is committed to providing the young men and women who join this academic community with the very best educational opportunities available. The award-winning faculty continues to challenge students to do and be their very best. Superb classroom instruction is Lyon’s hallmark, but equally important is the individualized attention offered to students by professors during office hours, in the laboratories, and – most strikingly — in their homes or perhaps on nearby hiking trails or float trips.
All of this contributes to Lyon’s ranking as a premier liberal arts college. According to national ranking sources, such as U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Forbes.com, Lyon is one of the best liberal arts colleges in the United States. The overwhelming number of success stories related to Lyon is no accident. Lyon professors have won the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Professor of the Year Award in Arkansas 14 times during the award’s 20-year history. The quality of our educational programs is also reflected in the high acceptance rate of our students to medical school, law school and other graduate programs.
The entire community is engaged in endeavors that help shape the minds and develop the characters of the young men and women who live and learn on our campus.

President, Dr. David B. Burks, Harding University

Harding is a good choice for students because we intentionally integrate faith, learning and living by teaching every subject from the Christian worldview perspective.
Through our seven overseas campuses, students truly experience a different culture while participating in the semester-long academic program.
More than 40 percent of Harding’s undergraduates spend a semester abroad. Students also benefit from a very diverse student body with classmates coming from all 50 states and more than 50 foreign nations.
All students have an opportunity to study the Bible each semester, which allows them to grow in their understanding of scripture. Students also benefit from our Distinguished American Studies Lecture Series, which features world-renowned leaders and heads of state. In addition to offering a full range of undergraduate programs, Harding provides a wide range of graduate and professional programs, including Physician Assistant Studies and a College of Pharmacy. The university also offers a Doctor of Education as well as a Doctor of Ministry.

Chancellor, Dr. Robert Potts, Arkansas State University

Our students say that Arkansas State University (ASU) is a great home-away-from-home. It is comfortable, warm and inviting. And with a favorable faculty-to-student ratio, students receive much personal attention and interaction with faculty in more than 150 high-quality majors from which to choose.
Living on campus has never been better. New upscale residence halls adorn the campus and create a feeling of community. Students also will find new buildings specifically designed with their needs in mind with everything from academic buildings to a new wellness and recreation center.
Students seldom get bored at ASU since there is always something happening on campus, whether attending Division I athletic events, concerts, hanging out with a social group, or participating in one’s choice of almost 300 student organizations.
It is a diverse campus with more than 12,000 students attending from nearly 40 states and 60 other countries. Students not only get the opportunity to learn about their future professions, they get to personally experience knowing and interacting with fellow students from different cultures and perspectives.
A-State is a great place to be. More than 90 percent of prospective students who take a tour of our campus eventually enroll here.


President, Dr. Allen C. Meadors, University of Central Arkansas

For more than a century, the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) has helped shape the minds of the best and brightest. The tradition continues. UCA offers 160 undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degree programs that give students the opportunities they need to pursue their interests. UCA;s Honors College provides academically-talented students a living and learning environment that fosters their full potential as citizen-scholars. Three residential colleges create living and learning communities for students to interact with faculty and peers. A UCA faculty-in-residence provides a support system for students. Small classes in the residential colleges allow more interaction with professors. UCA ranks 17th out of 69 public universities in the category of “Best Master’s Level Universities in the South,” according to the U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings of universities and colleges. UCA also promotes student involvement in campus life by providing more than 140 student organizations, 17 intramural sports activities, a large fitness and recreation center, Division I athletics, minority and international student programs, theater and art productions, and much more. UCA's Georgian-style campus is centrally located and has been called one of the most beautiful campuses in the South.



Chancellor, Dr. Paul B. Beran, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith enrolls more than 7,300 students. Yet, students regularly tell me they like UA Fort Smith because it is a “small university.” In reality, we are not that small, but the way that our students are treated by faculty and staff makes them feel that way. Students also enjoy the beauty of our campus and the technical capabilities that our facilities afford. Another thing that distinguishes UA Fort Smith from others is our commitment to hands-on, applied education. From interactive learning in the classroom to internships in actual jobs, UA Fort Smith’s focus is teaching students the reality of a job, not just its theory. Employing that type of teaching, we are also providing students the critical and creative thinking skills that will make them valuable, flexible entrepreneurs and employees in a constantly-evolving, competitive world. Finally, I believe our students recognize the value of the education that they are receiving from top-notch faculty and appreciate that UA Fort Smith is the most affordable university in Arkansas.

President, Becky Paneitz, Ph.D., Northwest Arkansas Community College

At NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC), we offer a world-class educational experience. Outstanding faculty provides individualized attention in a collaborative learning-centered environment, with specialized programs and activities to help students of all ages succeed. Students say they choose NWACC because we’re accessible, affordable, and provide high-quality instruction and services with convenient schedules.
Find classes at multiple locations across Benton and Washington counties, or take a class online and complete your work when it’s convenient for you. You can take one class or an entire degree through our online program, or get the best of both online and on-campus with a hybrid course.
If a bachelor’s degree is your goal, start here. Then take advantage of our dynamic partnerships to transfer to the university of your choice. Ready for the workplace? We’ll help you build the skills needed to succeed in the global marketplace. From professional certificates to associate degrees, we offer a broad range of training and education programs to meet your needs. Low tuition, small class sizes and flexible schedule options are just some of the reasons students increasingly choose NWACC first.
Award-winning faculty, outstanding staff and a culture of entrepreneurship and innovative education – that’s why NWACC is the right choice for students