Reach University Partners with NWACC

Samantha McClain

Managing Editor – Online

Dennis Rittle, president of NWACC, and Joe Ross, president of Reach University, signed a new articulation agreement that allows NWACC students to transfer all their credits into Reach University. NWACC graduate students can transfer to Reach University for a job-embedded and paid pathway to a bachelor’s degree and professional career.

During the signing ceremony on April 3, Ross talked about students now having an opportunity to build bridges between the student and employers. Reach University is a nonprofit accredited university, and the partnership will allow 30 different degrees to be transferable to Reach University.

The partnership allows a new means of supporting working adults in achieving postsecondary goals while educating the next generations of educators for local schools. Reach University is partnering with Arkansas and several other states such as Alabama, California, Arkansas, Colorado, and Louisiana.

Reach University and NWACC can help students advance their own careers and address the teacher shortage in Arkansas, JoAnna Lever, director of community relations in Rogers Public Schools, said.

The objective is to address the teacher shortage in Arkansas and allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree at a cheaper cost, Ross said. Reach University is actively trying to solve America’s teacher shortage by creating a pathway for potential individuals to earn a teaching degree.

Current students learning the employee culture of the school district can help potential teachers stay long term in the district and comfortable from going to school to work, Deanna Reed, special education teacher, said.

Reach University uses a different method from a traditional college. Instead of going to classes to earn a degree, the university uses local schools as a university learning place with an accredited degree, according to reach.edu. The university is an online institution with live classes on Zoom and tuition costs no more than $75 per month while students use their own internet connection and computer.

With the partnership, NWACC students can transfer and earn their bachelor’s degree at little to no cost while providing local schools K – 12 grades schools with the next generations of teachers, Rittle said.

According to a press release, NWACC had a long history of working with regional employers to align the school curriculum to local industry needs and equip students with the ability to transfer to a four – year university.

In each program, students will pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies while concentrating in education science at Reach University, according to a press release. For students to be eligible for the program, students must be employed in a local school and have access to an instructional work setting such as a place where the student can observe or participate in mentoring for approximately 15 hours a week.