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NWACC - Washington County History
NWACC first opened its doors in August of 1990 to provide higher education and career training to the surrounding Benton and Washington Counties. As the student population grew, the college began to build a campus in Bentonville and rent facilities throughout Washington County.
To better serve the growing number of students who resided in Washington County, NWACC
decided it best to end leasing temporary locations and build its own facility in Springdale. The NWACC Foundation moved forward with the NWACC Now! campaign to raise funds and in 2018, the college
was able to break ground at its new permanent location at 6101 Watkins Ave, Springdale.
The new NWACC-Washington County facility opened its doors in January 2020 and now
provides courses in general education, nursing, emergency medical responder and emergency medical technician, and houses NWACC’s High School Relations which oversees the High School Concurrent program. Enrollment services include admissions assistance, academic advising, financial aid and treasurer services, as well as student IDs and parking hang tags. Other services include library resources and Information Commons, as well as some additional services available by appointment.
Milestones
2004:
The Washington County Center (WCC) opens with two classrooms on White Road in Springdale,
Arkansas, with two classrooms. It holds limited academic advising services.
2005:
The Washington County Center adds two more classrooms, a student computer lab, a faculty
workroom and public safety. It continues to provide limited academic advising services.
2006:
The Washington County Center services expand to include admissions and student records.
2009:
- The Washington County Center expands again with two more classrooms and another student computer lab. Services expand to include treasurer services, as well as academic advising, admissions and student records services. NWACC's High School Relations office relocates to the Washington County Center.
- NWACC begins offering classes at The Jones Center, which opens at the Jones Truck Line building on Emma Avenue, with four classrooms, a classroom/lab, a faculty/staff workspace and public safety.
- NWACC begins offering classes at the Farmington High School in Building J. The location is referred to as the Farmington Center. Location holds three classrooms, one science lab, a faculty/staff workspace, and public safety.
2010:
NWACC's Farmington Center location adds an additional classroom.
2012:
NWACC moves classes from the Jones Truck Line building to The Jones Center on Emma
Avenue in Springdale. NWACC uses four classrooms, faculty/staff office space and a
faculty workroom.
2013:
NWACC's Farmington Center location adds additional office space.
2014:
The Washington County Center expands to encompass the entire building by adding a
technology classroom and student lounge area.
2015:
The Jones Center location now offers:
- Four classrooms with one of them having designated hours as an open computer lab
- Faculty workroom that includes black and white copier/printer, four computers, faculty mailboxes and lockers that are first come-first serve
- Average number of class sections each semester is between 25 and 30
- Average number of faculty teaching each semester is 15
- The Jones Center offers courses for students in the areas of math, communication, arts, and social and behavioral sciences, all of which may vary by semester.
The Farmington Center location now offers:
- Four classrooms with one of them having designated hours as an open computer lab
- One science lab—this is the only science lab available to NWACC students in Washington County
- Faculty workroom that includes black and white copier/printer, computers and faculty mailboxes
- Average number of class sections each semester is between 25 and 30
- Average number of faculty teaching each semester is 15
- The Farmington Center offers courses for students in the areas of math, communication, arts, and social and behavioral sciences and physical sciences.
2018:
NWACC breaks ground on a new Washington County location at 6101 Watkins Avenue in
Springdale. This will be the site of the new NWACC-Washington County facility. The
college plans to end rentals of its three other locations and have a permanent location
in Springdale.
2019:
NWACC holds its last semester at its three leased locations - Washington County Center, Farmington Center and The Jones Center.
2020:
The leasing of three locations - Washington County Center, Farmington Center and The Jones Center - ends with the opening of the college’s new NWACC-Washington County facility at
6101 Watkins Avenue in Springdale.
New NWACC-Washington County facility includes:
- 9 General education classrooms
- 3 Science labs
- 2 EMS classrooms
- 1 Nursing classroom and a simulation lab
- 1 ENGC classroom
- 2 Faculty workrooms
- Conference room
- Information Commons
- Event room
- High School Relations
- Enrollment services include admissions assistance, academic advising, financial aid and treasurer services, as well as student IDs and parking hangtags.
- Other services include library resources and Information Commons, as well as limited additional services available by appointment.
News Archive
NWACC-Washington County opened its doors in January 2020. View the links below to learn about the college's historical effort to serve the Washington County community.
News Coverage
- WCC Opens in 2004
- 2018 Ground Breaking of New NWACC-Washington County
- NWACC Now! Campaign Launches
- About the New NWACC-Washington County
- Last Beam Placed on New Washington County Facility
- College Expansion Prepares Students for In-Demand Jobs
- Alumnae Say New NWACC - Washington County Will Make College More Accessible
Construction Progress
View the photos below to see how the new Washington County facility progressed in construction from 2018 through 2020.