Southeast Arkansas College
Encyclopedia
Southeast Arkansas College is a two year associate degree granting college in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
. Students and others in the area often refer to it as SEARK. Formerly a vocational-technical school, the state legislature designated the school as a college in 1991 with the name Pines Technical College. Southeast Arkansas College acquired its current name in 1998.
in Arkansas
to meet the needs of industry and to provide jobs, and raise the standard of living, for Arkansas
citizens. The school’s first director was Leon Coker, who headed it from 1958 to 1974. The school’s name was later changed to Pines Vocational-Technical School.
When Act 1244 of the Seventy-eighth Arkansas General Assembly
, was signed into law by Governor
Bill Clinton
on April 17, 1991, it re-designated and redefined the mission of eleven existing postsecondary vocational-technical schools located throughout the state to technical colleges. Consequently, state authority for these institutions was transferred from the Arkansas Board of Vocational-Technical Education to the Arkansas Board of Higher Education, which serves as the state coordinating agency for all public universities, community college
s, and technical colleges in Arkansas.
With the enactment of Act 1244 on July 1, 1991, all land, buildings, equipment, and personnel associated with Pines Vocational-Technical School were transferred to Pines Technical College. In October 1991, the governor appointed the charter members of the Pines Technical College Board of Trustees. The college’s first president, Dr. Terry J. Puckett (1992–2000), was appointed by the board effective December 1, 1992. To better reflect the college’s service area, it changed its name from Pines Technical College to Southeast Arkansas Technical College on July 1, 1996. The word “Technical” was removed from the college’s name on July 8, 1998.
to provide workforce training for the existing workforce and to provide basic skills and specialized training for the unemployed.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
. Students and others in the area often refer to it as SEARK. Formerly a vocational-technical school, the state legislature designated the school as a college in 1991 with the name Pines Technical College. Southeast Arkansas College acquired its current name in 1998.
History
Southeast Arkansas College was originally named Arkansas Vocational-Technical School. It began offering postsecondary vocational-technical programs on September 21, 1959. Act 328 of 1957 set the stage for it to become the first vocational-technical schoolVocational-technical school
A vocational-technical school, often called a vo-tech school, is a high school in the United States and Canada designed to bring vocational and technical training to its students. Such skills become highly valuable to students entering into a vocational or technical field without first obtaining...
in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
to meet the needs of industry and to provide jobs, and raise the standard of living, for Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
citizens. The school’s first director was Leon Coker, who headed it from 1958 to 1974. The school’s name was later changed to Pines Vocational-Technical School.
When Act 1244 of the Seventy-eighth Arkansas General Assembly
Arkansas General Assembly
The Arkansas General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house Arkansas Senate with 35 members, and the lower Arkansas House of Representatives with 100 members. All 135 representatives and state senators...
, was signed into law by Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
on April 17, 1991, it re-designated and redefined the mission of eleven existing postsecondary vocational-technical schools located throughout the state to technical colleges. Consequently, state authority for these institutions was transferred from the Arkansas Board of Vocational-Technical Education to the Arkansas Board of Higher Education, which serves as the state coordinating agency for all public universities, community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
s, and technical colleges in Arkansas.
With the enactment of Act 1244 on July 1, 1991, all land, buildings, equipment, and personnel associated with Pines Vocational-Technical School were transferred to Pines Technical College. In October 1991, the governor appointed the charter members of the Pines Technical College Board of Trustees. The college’s first president, Dr. Terry J. Puckett (1992–2000), was appointed by the board effective December 1, 1992. To better reflect the college’s service area, it changed its name from Pines Technical College to Southeast Arkansas Technical College on July 1, 1996. The word “Technical” was removed from the college’s name on July 8, 1998.
Mission
The mission of Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff is to provide comprehensive community college education and services, with an emphasis on technical education and workforce development, for the citizens of Jefferson, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Grant, and Lincoln counties.Educational Services
Educational programs and services at SEARK College include technical career education, workforce development, university transfer education, general education, adult education, continuing education, and community services. SEARK College provides nursing and allied health, criminal justice, computer training, and academic transfer programs, among others. As of 2007, its average enrollment is 2,200 students per semester with a faculty and staff of 132. The college also partners with the University of Arkansas at Pine BluffUniversity of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a historically black university located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States. Founded in 1873, it is the oldest HBCU and the second oldest public institution in the state of Arkansas . UAPB is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
to provide workforce training for the existing workforce and to provide basic skills and specialized training for the unemployed.