by Eagle View Staff
Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson, president of NorthWest Arkansas Community College since July 2013, steps away from her office at the end of the day June 30 to begin a new phase of her life as a retiree.
Her 10 years at NWACC are characterized by change.
Large changes include construction of the Washington County Center in Springdale and the Integrated Design Lab on the main Bentonville campus, a new building for the NWACC physical plant, purchase of railroad easement property that runs through the main campus, working with the city of Bentonville to coordinate the extension of 8th Street through the North 40 portion of main campus, a shift from using Banner as the basic software program for most campus workings to using Workday, and a number of new programs, including most recently Bicycle Maintenance Technician.
Jorgenson began a practice of taking questions directly from faculty called “Q&A with Dr. J,” held at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. If she couldn’t answer the questions, she later found answers and emailed them to faculty. This established her as a person interested in transparency.
She continued the practice begun by Dr. Becky Panietz, past president of NWACC, of hosting Pizza with the President, during which students were provided free pizza and given an opportunity to speak with Jorgenson about anything on their minds.
Jorgenson also began a regular “Notes from the President” email in which she communicated with the college community about initiatives, changes, and news.
Most importantly, Jorgenson provided a steady hand on the wheel during the coronavirus pandemic, letting her team of administrators, deans, and staff guide NWACC in a nearly seamless move to online and remote instruction.
Herself a community college graduate, she said she understood NWACC students.
Farewell, Dr. Jorgenson. May all good things be yours.
Eagle View Newspaper 