On Wednesday, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) announced a new partnership designed to expand access to affordable four-year degrees in eastern Arkansas.
This new collaborative program will allow students to complete select bachelor’s degrees through UAM while remaining on PCCUA campuses, creating a true “start here and finish here” program for students from the Delta and surrounding communities.
Through this partnership, PCCUA students will have the chance to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in K-6 elementary education degree beginning in May 2026 and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree starting in August 2026. The partnership plans to expand to include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, with a targeted start date of fall 2027.
This initiative is designed to increase access, strengthen workforce development and provide a seamless transition for students who are ready to continue their education close to home. By combining resources and expertise, PCCUA and UAM aim to improve degree completion rates while offering some of the most affordable tuition rates in the state.
Employing a campus-within-a-campus model, the partnership offers students the opportunity to complete all four years of their degree on a PCCUA campus, starting as PCCUA students for the first two years before enrolling as UAM students for their junior and senior years. Tuition will be based on PCCUA rates for the initial two years and UAM rates for the junior and senior years of coursework. Throughout their studies, students will have access to services and resources from both institutions and will earn an associate degree from PCCUA and a bachelor’s degree from UAM.
To further support affordability, UAM will offer the Ridge Runner Transfer Scholarship, awarding $3,000 per semester to PCCUA students who complete 55 credit hours and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. This scholarship helps ensure these bachelor’s degrees remain among the most affordable options in Arkansas.
Dr. Keith Pinchback, chancellor of PCCUA, reflected on how the partnership expands what is possible for students, stating, "This partnership is a significant step forward for our communities in Arkansas County, Phillips County, and across eastern Arkansas. It means our students will no longer have to leave home, uproot their families, or pause their careers to take the next step in their education. Instead, they can remain in the communities where they live, work, and serve while earning a four-year degree. At its core, this partnership is about access and opportunity. It reflects our commitment to investing in our students and strengthening the future of our region."
“Partnering with PCCUA on this innovative program is a powerful step forward in expanding access to high-quality, affordable bachelor’s degrees for students in the Delta,” said Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM. “Together, we are meeting workforce needs by preparing future teachers and business professionals, all while ensuring students can stay close to home and benefit from the resources of both institutions. We value this collaborative relationship and are already in active discussions with PCCUA about additional degree pathways that will continue to open doors for students across eastern Arkansas.”
The announcement was held on the PCCUA Helena campus on Wednesday at the Hendrix Fine Arts Center, where both Dr. Pinchback and Dr. Doss delivered remarks and participated in a ceremonial signing of the partnership agreement.
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