Page 43 - 2024 Community Profile

EDUCATION

Peak Innovation Center Welcomes

Crawford County Students

Peak Innovation Center opened another tool in our toolbox. Companies presenting themselves well, etc. – that will
in early 2022 to prepare high school already here will receive the benefit almost give students a better shot at landing a
students for careers in three of the immediately, but this is really an item job in a field that has become more and
most in-demand fields in the region – that over the long term will make a huge more competitive,” explained Career
Advanced Manufacturing, Health Care difference for the entire region.” Development Facilitator Amye Drackett.
and Information Technology. Since its Consolidating the courses to one site Dr. Gary Udouj, Director of Career
inception, a Visual Arts component has proved to be a smooth transition and Education and District Innovation at FSPS,
been added, and an Unmanned Aerial provides the opportunity for students emphasized that Peak is the product of
Systems (drones) Trades program is set to from multiple school districts to interact communities working together for the
begin in 2024. Trades such as those used with one another in a work environment betterment of the area’s workforce. “This is
in Construction are being added in 2024. as teammates, not just on athletic fields as what happens when the entire community
Julie Murray, President of the Van Buren competitors. comes together. Udouj concluded.
Chamber, sees Peak as an asset to the Much work has been done to expand Amazing opportunities for students,
region. “It is an option for students from Peak’s appeal to students in school families and employers throughout our
every school district in Crawford County, districts throughout the region and bring region are being realized now that we are
and opens up new opportunity for those new business on board with work-based fully up and running.”
students and the employers who benefit learning opportunities. Students interested in attending
from a trained and prepared workforce,” “There is also a lot of effort being courses at Peak should check with
she added. put into things like employability training their campus counselors for additional
“Courses offered at the center all have – speaking clearly, preparing a resume, information.
college credit attached, and are taught
by UA Fort Smith instructors,” said Terry COUNTIES SERVED:
Morawski, Superintendent of Fort Smith Benton • Crawford Franklin • Johnson • Logan • Polk
Public Schools (FSPS). Pope • Scott • Sebastian • Washington • Yell
The partnership with UA Fort Smith
is a key component to the center, which
excites UAFS Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley.
“While outcomes for employment are
exponentially better for students with
four-year college degrees, this will give
students an opportunity to gain their OUR MISSION:
education in ‘bite-sized’ pieces,” said Arkansas Family Supports provides
Riley. “This gives us a chance to prepare the highest quality community-based
a stronger workforce and fill the gap Waiver Services to support members in
between high school and career,” she achieving greater independence.
continued. OUR VISION:
Riley also saw the center as a AFS shall be the Waiver
potentially helpful recruiting tool for the Services provider of choice
university, introducing students from many for members within
area school districts to instructors and our service area.
programs offered by the university.
“We can get them to know our faculty
without the intimidating factor of being on Arkansas Family Supports celebrated its 7 Year Anniversary on July 5, 2023, and understands
our campus,” she added. “The Fort Smith our continued success is due in large part to the work and support of our 215 employees,
region is recognized within the state of family members/guardians, board of directors, stakeholders, and our 100 members,
Arkansas as a community moving forward, who choose and entrust us for services.
and this is another factor that sets us For more information, please email referral@arkansasfamilysupports.org.
apart.”
Murray added another plus to the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 412 & 418 S. 18th Street • Fort Smith, AR 72903
list of benefits. “When we are recruiting Jeff Lambert 479.763.0314 • arkansasfamilysupports.org
business and industry to our area, this is
vanburenchamber.org Van Buren Chamber 2024 Directory 43