SPRINGDALE — When NorthWest Arkansas Community College's Washington County Center first opened in January 2004, it had 198 students and two classrooms.
Now, there are 837 students enrolled in 58 class sections that meet in six classrooms at the center. A computer lab, personnel for admissions and advising, and student records are also housed at the center.
On Friday, college officials held a ceremony to dedicate a recent expansion and celebrate the increased number of services and offerings at the center. Two additional classrooms were added over the summer.
The facility is housed in a commercial building at 398 White Road, just off Elm Springs Road. As two other commercial tenants moved out of the building over the years, NWACC acquired their building spaces and expanded.
"The only other tenant left is Eureka Pizza," NWACC President Becky Paneitz said, "and I understand our students like the pizza."
When she was hired as president in 2003, one of her first charges was to establish a physical presence for the college in Springdale, Paneitz said.
The Washington County Center started small, but they were able to expand. Offering additional services like advising, student records and a college cashier helped make it a convenient center for students, she said.
"I truly appreciate the convenience of this facility," student Joann Day said. "I come here to this computer lab because it is so convenient."
About 40 percent of NWACC's students are from Washington County. Overall, the college had a record enrollment of more than 8,100 students for the fall semester, Paneitz said.
"Our enrollment is going to continue to grow," she said.
Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said he appreciates the facility being in the community.
"I'm well aware of the importance and need the community college has fulfilled," he said.
Brenda Green, the associate dean of learner services for Washington County, said the office functions of the center are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are also open for classes from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Some of the course subjects offered at the site include English, math, history, psychology, sociology and many general education courses.
NWACC operates other facilities in the county besides the designated Washington County Center.
These include two Fayetteville facilities: The NWACC Corporate Learning Center at the corner of College Avenue and Joyce Boulevard and the Regional Technology Center at 2350 Old Farmington Road.
Some courses offered at the tech center include the college's medical professions and dental assistant programs. It also offers some general education classes, NWACC spokeswoman Patti Mocivnik.
NWACC also provides auto service and auto collision repair programs at Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale, she said.
News, Pages 2 on 09/27/2009