Melbourne, Arkansas (September 2026)— Ozarka College has been awarded a $3M Title III, Part A Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to launch Comprehensive Learning, Academic, and Success Strategies (CLASS), a five-year initiative designed to strengthen student services, improve academic and career pathways, and increase student persistence and completion.
The CLASS project will support a comprehensive redesign of the college’s approach to student success, including expanded wraparound services, a new career development model connecting academic programs with career and workforce pathways, enhanced mental health services, course redesign, adoption of open educational resources, renovated instructional space, expanded faculty and staff professional development, and increased institutional advancement and foundation capacity.
“This grant represents a tremendous investment in Ozarka students and in the future of the communities we serve,” said Dr. Josh Wilson, Ozarka College president. “CLASS will allow us to take a comprehensive look at how we support students from the time they walk through our doors to the time they reach their educational and career goals. We are grateful for this opportunity and excited about what it will mean for our students, our communities and the region.”
Over the five-year project, Ozarka has established ambitious goals for improving student outcomes. By 2031, the College aims to help more first-time students stay enrolled and graduate, increase student participation in career exploration and planning, improve follow-up and support for students facing academic challenges, redesign courses to better support student learning, and grow enrollment among degree-seeking students.
CLASS also places a strong emphasis on connecting education to employment. The initiative will expand career advising, develop pathway maps and workforce-aligned credentials, establish Learning and Employment Records, strengthen employer partnerships and foster additional work-based learning opportunities.
As a rural institution, Ozarka also qualifies for the federal program’s rural priority, reflecting the college’s role in expanding postsecondary opportunity and workforce development in the communities it serves.
Support from Arkansas Congressional Delegation
This funding was supported by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) along with Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01). Their support reflects the importance of bolstering educational opportunities and workforce preparation for students in rural Arkansas, as well as an understanding of the key role community colleges play in meeting the needs of local industries and communities.
“Ozarka plays an important part in helping students in north central Arkansas gain the skills and education they need to succeed. Our congressional delegation was pleased to support the effort to enhance its resources and modernize its approach to strengthening our workforce and meeting the needs of local and regional employers. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have on students and the communities they call home,” said Boozman.
The senator’s support reflects the importance of strengthening educational opportunities and workforce preparation for students in rural Arkansas and the role community colleges play in meeting the needs of local employers and communities.
A comprehensive approach to student success
In addition to improving retention and graduation, CLASS will address student needs through enhanced access to student services, career planning, academic-alert follow-up, mental health support, course redesign, technology and professional development. The project also will strengthen Ozarka’s institutional capacity and position the college for continued growth.
Among the project’s specific initiatives are implementation of recommendations from a Student Services Lean Audit, redesign of at least 40 courses, classroom renovations, academic program improvements, financial literacy workshops, development-office improvements and acquisition of a new learning management and student information systems.
“At its heart, CLASS is about making sure our students have what they need to succeed — academically, personally and professionally,” continued Wilson. “We want students to see a clear path from where they are today to where they want to go, and we want Ozarka to be there with them at every milestone along the way.”
The project will include collaboration with employers and workforce organizations to strengthen career-related initiatives and better connect Ozarka students with employment opportunities.
About Ozarka College
Ozarka College is a public, two-year institution serving north central Arkansas through campuses in Melbourne, Ash Flat, and Mountain View, as well as online and community-based education opportunities. Ozarka provides transfer education, career and technical education, workforce training and other educational opportunities designed to meet the needs of students, employers and communities throughout the region.
