Incoming College Head Visits
Jorgenson Speaks With Benton County School Officials
Ric Clifford with NorthWest Arkansas Community College, left, and Ken Ramey, superintendent of Siloam Springs School District, right, chat Wednesday with future Evelyn Jorgenson, future college president, during a drop-in coffee gathering at the college in Bentonville. The meet and greet gave area school superintendents a chance to chat with Jorgenson.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
BENTONVILLE — NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s incoming president met with Benton County school officials Wednesday to discuss how students can meet their potential at the collegiate level.
Evelyn Jorgenson will start as college president July 1. Becky Paneitz will retire June 30.
Superintendents or assistant superintendents from Bentonville, Rogers, Gravette, Springdale, Pea Ridge and Decatur school districts attended the morning event.
Jorgenson told the group community college is a place where students can be introduced to higher education. Jorgenson is the president of Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Mo.
At A Glance
Evelyn Jorgenson
Family: Husband, Chuck; one son and one daughter
Occupation: President, Moberly Area Community College in Missouri
Education: Doctorate in higher and adult education from University of Missouri
Source: Staff Report
Concurrent classes is something Jorgenson said she supports. Concurrent classes allow students to receive college credit while in high school. NorthWest Arkansas Community College enrolls students in concurrent classes.
Jorgenson also said Moberly Area Community College works to get students interested in college at a young age.
“Students begin their opinions in junior high,” Jorgenson said.
Moberly has a program encouraging students to consider college in their future. Students are able to sit in on college classes and see and hear how professors teach, Jorgenson said.
Jorgenson started her college education at a two-year school.
“A lot of students find out, like I did, that they have a little more potential,” Jorgenson said. “I have a sincere passion for community colleges. I think they do great things to help people realize their potential.”
Michael Poore, Bentonville School District superintendent, said he appreciates Jorgenson reaching out to the kindergarten through 12th grade community.
“The K through 12 pipeline needs more than words,” Poore said. “Paneitz was good at action and it looks like Jorgenson will be too.”
Ric Clifford, chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees, told the group he thinks the college will continue do a good job of cultivating relationships at the kindergarten through high school level.
“The K through 12 students are the future of our area and our country,” Clifford said.
Jorgenson also met with the college’s Student Government Association and Student Ambassador Activity Board during her visit Wednesday.