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Arkansas State University - Beebe

The essential purpose of Arkansas State University-Beebe is to provide a two-year post-secondary program of education responsive to the needs of the clientele. The faculty and staff share a commitment to the belief that both traditional and non-traditional students should be given a continuing
opportunity for development and extension of their skills, knowledge, and awareness of their role in society. Arkansas State University-Beebe realizes this primary objective as students (1) enter the University, (2) find programs compatible with their goals, (3) persist in college until their goals are obtained, and (4) subsequently become responsible members of society.

Arkansas State University-Beebe has been in continuous operation since 1927. During this time it has been known by five different names:

1927: Junior Agricultural School of Central Ark.
1931: Junior Agriculture College of Central Ark.
1955: Arkansas State College-Beebe Branch
1967: Arkansas State University-Beebe Branch
2001: Arkansas State University-Beebe
Administration Building - 1949

The Institution operates under the policies of the Board of Trustees and President of Arkansas State University, whose main campus is at Jonesboro. Programs at the Beebe campus function separately under the leadership of the Chancellor.

Since its foundation in 1927, Arkansas State University-Beebe has provided two years of course work for those who wish to transfer to senior institutions. It has also offered associate degrees and certification programs to those who wish to terminate their college work after two years or less. Its affiliation in 1955 with the Jonesboro Campus has enhanced its ability to combine openness and flexibility of a community type college with the stability and tradition of the residential university.

Act 496, enacted by the General Assembly in 1985, established the Arkansas State Technical Institute at Arkansas State University-Beebe to provide educational programs that combine academic skills and vocational training in highly technical employment areas. The first programs were implemented in the fall of 1987. Act 1244, enacted by the General Assembly in 1991, established the merger of White River Technical College and ASU-Beebe to create ASU-Newport.

In the last two decades, enrollment has increased. Although the campus is one of only two public two-year colleges in Arkansas with residence halls, most of the students are commuters. The campus is located 31 miles north of Little Rock and 17 miles south of Searcy on U.S. Highways 67/167.

Arkansas State University-Beebe serves a large rural population as well as many urban commuters. Physical changes on the campus have reflected decades of growth. The Abington Library, the fine arts and physical education facilities, a mathematics and science laboratory and classroom building, the Advanced Technology Center, the Applied Arts building, the Agriculture Technology building, the University Center building, and the Student Center have been added in recent years. Further physical development is planned to keep pace with expansion of the institutional mission.

Arkansas State University-Beebe is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. This assures recognition among institutions of higher education and facilitates transfer of academic credit. With Association standards to meet or exceed, the faculty and staff are constantly challenged to seek excellence and to remain responsive to the needs of the students and the community. Arkansas State University-Beebe also holds membership in the American Council of Education and the Council of North Central Community Junior Colleges.

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