Jones: Working at SouthArk has been 'honor, privilege'

To the editor:

After more than 10 rewarding and professionally-motivating years serving as president of South Arkansas Community College, I will be retiring on Jan. 31. This was a difficult decision for me because SouthArk and El Dorado have been home. We have made lifelong friends, and I care deeply about the college, our students, our employees, our community and the region that we serve. It has been a time of reflection on college achievements and student accomplishments.

Over the past decade, we have worked internally and externally to strengthen SouthArk. We can look back and see the physical structures that have been built or renovated: the El Dorado Conference Center, the Health Science Center, Howard Heritage Plaza, Hays Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, the McWilliams House, the Thomas Administration Building, signage, parking lots and other enhancements. We also have improved employee benefits, campus safety and security and professional-development opportunities.

We have worked collaboratively with industry, government and community leaders to expand and develop credit and non-credit offerings, and to secure needed resources for these programs. Our college employees have achieved regional accreditation for the college and its programs. We have enhanced and expanded educational, economic and workforce development through partnerships with various businesses, school districts and universities.

Most importantly, we have focused on building the human infrastructure for our region demonstrated in the many proud graduates working in medical facilities, banks, schools, law-enforcement agencies, heavy industries and other businesses in the region. We have focused, most significantly, on improving our students' success and engagement by increasing student retention, graduation rates and remedial success rates. We have added new or enhanced our academic programs. We have brought in intercollegiate athletics, added student organizations and created student areas to improve the college experience.

External funding has increased — both donations and grants — leading to more scholarships, support for building projects, new programs and equipment, employee professional development and additional college initiatives. This support, ultimately, has led to more graduates well-prepared for workforce and for life. SouthArk is in a great position to move forward. The next president will take the college to new levels of accomplishment and success.

I have been, and will continue to be, inspired by the many students we serve who struggle to attend college while working and caring for family members. Their goal is to improve their lives for themselves and their families. Community colleges change lives every day.

The dedicated employees, who are committed to our students' success, also inspire me, day in and day out. And to the many partners and donors who provide support for our college, employees and students, I thank you for being associates in this endeavor of changing lives.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as South Arkansas Community College's fourth president for the past 10-plus years. It is a college that educates a strong workforce and improves the quality of life for our citizens. It has been a wonderful opportunity to meet, work with and partner with the people of south Arkansas. Thank you all for your friendship and support over the years. — Dr. Barbara Jones, El Dorado