Former AHS teacher named interim dean of academy
The University of Arkansas at Hope and Hope School District have teamed up to offer students a leg up in education.
The Hope Collegiate & Pro fess ions Academy is a partnership between Hope School District and the University of Arkansas at HopeTexarkana. The goal of the academy is to provide academic and career pathways to a diverse community of high school students through a three-year curriculum that enables students to complete a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously in academic transfer or technical education.
Mikki Curtis, 2008 graduate of Hope High School and former Arkansas High School biology teacher, was named interim dean of the program. She began her duties Friday.
“I am excited and humbled to be a part of a wonderful program and partnership such as this,” Curtis said. “The Hope Collegiate & Professions Academy is a game changer; there is no high school quite like this in the entire state of Arkansas.”
Through a three-year curriculum, the academy will allow students in Hope School District to complete a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously at no charge. This year, the collegiate academy pilot is for students who will be entering the 10th grade and is limited to 20 students.
The academy is on the UA-Hope campus. The academy is a public school that is free of charge. Students must be enrolled in Hope School District and meet the entrance requirements to attend.
Applications are due by July 2. To apply, visit uacch.edu. For more information or a paper application, contact Laura Clark at laura.clark@uacch.edu or 870-722-8202.
Curtis holds a Bachelor of Science from Ouachita Baptist University and Master of Arts in Teaching from Henderson State University. She earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and completed the Education Specialist in Educational Leadership program from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where she is working toward a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership.