Summary
In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Dr. Dennis Rittle, President of NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC). NorthWest Arkansas Community College is a public, two-year institution that provides quality and affordable higher education in an effort to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding areas. NWACC is a nationally recognized, comprehensive college serving regional, national and international students on two campuses in Northwest Arkansas. With approximately three decades of experience in the higher education industry, Dr. Rittle shares his vision for NWACC and dives into NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s rich history and how it connects to Bentonville’s dynamic evolution.
Thanks for tuning in!
Show Notes
Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.
(0:54) Introduction to Dr. Dennis Rittle
(9:43) NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s History and Its Bond with Bentonville
(13:18) Dr. Rittle’s Vision for NWACC
(15:33) An Overview of NWACC’s Innovative Programs and Future Developments
(23:21) Personal and Professional Impact of Bentonville
(31:02) Dr. Rittle’s #BecauseBentonville Story
(35:19) How Dr. Rittle’s past Experiences Shaped His Leadership
(47:47) Advice to Individuals Aspiring to Be in the Field of Education
(54:20) Closing Thoughts
Links
Bentonville Economic Development
Dr. Dennis Rittle (drittle@nwacc.edu)
NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC)
Quotes
“[NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s] reaches are regional and now not only national, but international. We have students that are studying overseas. We have faculty that study overseas. We have those who are overseas coming here to Bentonville to study. Why is that? Because the college thought beyond. It thought bigger than itself, but it allowed the reach of Bentonville to go beyond…it thought big, it planned big, and then it played big.” – Dr. Rittle, (11:56)
“I think first and foremost, remembering that we are a community college, community is in our middle name. When people ask me, how should the college look and appear in the upcoming years, I said it should be a mirror of the community’s needs. Secondly, and tied inextricably to that mirroring of the community, is that we are student centric. We are focused on the needs of our students and where they are.” – Dr. Rittle, (13:25)
“They’re very eclectic, the students, both in their languages, in their experiences in life and in their stations of life. And so the more that we can have those relational collisions between students that allows to enhance the learning experience, that is my vision for the college.” – Dr. Rittle, (15:11)
“But here it is, [Bentonville] is an area that’s rapidly growing, and people still view other people as people. People are not viewed as things. They’re people. And I think that’s one of the greatest beauties here, is amongst all the innovation and all of the brilliance that exists here, through all of that, people still remember other people are people. And people are valued and respected and they’re treated well and they’re friendly.” – Dr. Rittle, (27:20)
Think Big, Plan Big and Play Big with NWACC’s Dr. Dennis Rittle
In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Dr. Dennis Rittle, President of NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC). NorthWest Arkansas Community College is a public, two-year institution that provides quality and affordable higher education in an effort to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding areas. NWACC is a nationally recognized, comprehensive college serving regional, national and international students on two campuses in Northwest Arkansas. With approximately three decades of experience in the higher education industry, Dr. Rittle shares his vision for NWACC and dives into NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s rich history and how it connects to Bentonville’s dynamic evolution.
The History of NWACC
NorthWest Arkansas Community College developed as an offshoot of Northern Arkansas Community College. Originally deemed the college without walls, classes met in rented storefronts and other local facilities, however the community quickly realized they wanted something far more permanent. So with financial support from the surrounding area, NWACC was established on August 15, 1989 with an enrollment of twelve hundred students.
Now thirty-three years later, it has locations in Bentonville and Springdale, and is the largest community college in Arkansas serving fifteen thousand students with over eight thousand of them being college credit students. NWACC awards over three hundred scholarships annually and offers over seventy-five degrees and certificates to choose from.
“[NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s] reaches are regional and now not only national, but international. We have students that are studying overseas. We have faculty that study overseas. We have those who are overseas coming here to Bentonville to study. Why is that? Because the college thought beyond. It thought bigger than itself, but it allowed the reach of Bentonville to go beyond…it thought big, it planned big, and then it played big.” – Dr. Rittle, (11:56)
How NWACC Is Serving the Community
Along with keeping NWACC community focused and student centric, Dr. Rittle’s goal for the college is the notion of allowing it to become a third space for students that encourages student life, student activity and student involvement. Dr. Riddle’s vision is for it to be more than a commuter campus where students arrive, take classes, then leave. He wants students to stay, share their lives, build community and exchange ideas and thoughts around people that have similar aspirations and interests.
“They’re very eclectic, the students, both in their languages, in their experiences in life and in their stations of life. And so the more that we can have those relational collisions between students that allows to enhance the learning experience, that is my vision for the college.” – Dr. Rittle, (15:11)
As far as programs that have been developed in response to a community need, NWACC’s retail analyst program has allowed students to find work long before they complete their degrees. And the college’s bike tech program has seen tremendous success. Additionally, in the spring, NWACC’s practical nursing program will begin as a stair step with its nationally renowned registered nurse program. And a biotechnology program was just approved this past summer, making it the first of its kind in the state.
Get Connected!
Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Bentonville Beacon! Join us weekly for more stories and advice from the entrepreneurs, business executives and community leaders who are sparking the rise of the Greater Bentonville Area. If you are interested in discussing whether your business should have a presence in Greater Bentonville or would like to discuss this podcast, please contact James Bell. You may reach James at jbell@greaterbentonville.com or (479) 273-2841.
Links for Additional Mentions
NWACC’s Certified Retail Analyst Program
NWACC’s Bicycle Assembly & Repair Technician Program
NWACC’s Trail Building Construction Program
NWACC’s Commercial Delivery License (CDL) and Truck Training Program
Bentonville Beacon: How Bentonville Became the Mountain Biking Capital of the World with Gary Vernon
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
