BENTONVILLE -- As hundreds of new Northwest Arkansas Community College graduates walked across Arend Arts Center stage, six in hard hats stood out at Saturday's commencement ceremony.
These six are the first to graduate from NWACC's Associate of Applied Science in construction technology program. All said they were hired in a construction-related job in the region before graduation day.
It has enjoyed a lot of support from the construction industry," said Debbie Miller, the college's communication specialist. "It's a really growing program for us."
J.D. Huddleston III, who graduated with distinction, said he was able to go straight into management after telling a potential employer about the technical certificate he was earning.
"He said, 'See you in eight weeks,'" Huddleston said. "Without this program, I definitely wouldn't be where I'm at."
Distinguished graduate Dena Stone also helped to start the two-year program in 2016.
The program teaches basic skills of a college education such as computer, math, communication, business and management skills. In addition, students also learn the necessary skills to manage small and large construction projects. They learn about the materials of construction, residential and commercial methods, how to estimate projects, surveying techniques, project scheduling, codes and laws that apply to the industry and more, according to the program description.
"We are very excited to have it," Stone said. "There is a high need for construction in the area, and this program was designed to help fill that need."
Though small, the group seemed to be a mix of those new to the construction industry and others looking to move up.
"It gave me an opportunity to get into the industry," said Joy Moseley, a distinguished graduate. "It's exciting. As the first group, we got really close. We're like a family. We grew with each other and supported each other. It was great experience."
Matthew Bridges, Maria del Carmen Garcia and Dakota James Hayes also graduated with an AAS in construction technology.
Overall, the number of graduates from the college has stayed about the same over the last few years, while the number of certificates and degrees keeps going up. In 2016, 845 graduates earned 944 certificates and degrees and, in 2017, 858 graduates earned 1,083.
This year, about 845 people graduated from the college with 1,214 certificates or degrees, Miller said.
The college is a public two-year institution accredited institution through The Higher Learning Commission. Its service area is defined by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education as Benton and Washington counties in Northwest Arkansas.
NW News on 05/13/2018