NPC focuses on the future

National Park College will open a new 50,000-square-foot student commons building this summer ahead of the fall 2019 semester.

NPC President John Hogan has described the new building as a “monument to the heart of student success.” The new building will house student services in one convenient location making support more accessible. The project includes a new campus entrance from Mountain Pine Road.

In addition, NPC will break ground on a 7,500-square-foot Marine Technology building. The program covers all facets of the marine repair industry. Students become professionals that serve the growing needs of our region. It is the only one of its kind in the state of Arkansas and one of a handful in the United States.

Later this year, Servitas will begin construction on a

52,000-square-foot on-campus residence hall. A study revealed significant demand for safe and affordable housing, with

40 percent of all respondents commuting more than 40 miles daily. The project will incur no upfront costs and a land lease agreement is expected to pro-

vide a modest return to NPC annually.

“Our ultimate goal is to retain those students in our community so they learn here, earn here and pour back into our local economy,” said Hogan.

In addition to the physical expansion at NPC, Nighthawk Athletics will offer three new NJCAA programs: baseball, softball and cross country. Expanding extracurricular opportunities for students is part of NPC’s broader enrollment and student success strategy.

“We are excited to be part of this community revolution and it all stems from a passion to provide opportunities for students, to give them opportunities to excel inside the classroom and out, to stay in the county, to attract more energy and resources into the county,” Hogan said.

Submitted photo STUDENT COMMONS: The NPC Board of Trustees toured the construction site of the new Student Commons building on Jan. 24. The 51,000-square-foot building will include a cafe, coffee bar, bookstore, classrooms and more. Outside, the Student Commons will feature a roundabout entryway, an expanded “quad” green space for student activities, and an amphitheater. A new entry will be constructed off of Mountain Pine Road and an existing parking lot will be expanded. The project broke ground in April 2018 and construction is on schedule for completion July 1.

Submitted photo NIGHTHAWK: Nighthawk men’s basketball player Braylon Steen takes a shot at the three-point line at a home game against Cossatot Community College on Nov. 5. The athletics program at NPC continues to grow with the announcement of three additional sports, including baseball, softball, and cross-country. All teams will be a part of the National Junior College Athletic Association. “Athletics is one piece of the puzzle that is helping us provide a university experience that’s close to home at less than half the cost of four-year universities,” said Jason Hudnell, NPC athletic director and dean of enrollment.