UARM Adult Education Program Surpasses State and National Averages

The University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain’s (UARM) Adult Education and Job Readiness Center (AEJRC) continues to demonstrate its impact on students and the communities it serves, with a 91% high school equivalency exam pass rate—a figure well above both the state and national rates.

Arkansas Adult Education programs have a statewide pass rate of 85%, ranking second in the nation, while the national pass rate is 74%. UARM’s 91% pass rate places the college above both the state and national averages.

“While the high school equivalency exam is an important part of Adult Education, it is only one of the many services offered through the AEJRC,” says AEJRC Director, Julie Gordon.

Students seeking their high school equivalency receive an initial assessment, individualized plans, and instructional support designed to help them successfully complete the process. Gordon shared, “It is also important to note that high school equivalency exams vary by state. The GED is one examination option, but students who complete their high school equivalency through UARM receive an Arkansas High School Diploma issued by the Arkansas Department of Career Education rather than a GED certificate.”

The AEJRC also provides education, career counseling, workforce training, and job-readiness services at no cost to participants. The WAGE (Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy) program helps individuals develop the digital, financial, academic, and employability skills needed for employment and professional growth. Students can also receive assistance with resumes, interviews, career planning, and customer service skills.

Through these same programs, the AEJRC serves local employers by providing workforce training and employee development opportunities, including WAGE training, customer service, soft skills, and OSHA and CPR credentials. These services can help businesses strengthen the skills of current employees or prepare prospective employees for the workplace.

“Adult Education works with students pursuing a variety of workforce credentials through integrated programs, including CNA, phlebotomy, medical billing and coding, LPN/RN, education paraprofessional preparation, and CPR. Depending on the program, financial assistance may cover expenses such as background checks, drug testing, examination fees, software, required insurance, and scrubs,” said Gordon. Students who complete qualifying Adult Education programs may also be eligible for scholarships toward tuition and fees at UARM.

The AEJRC provides English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction as needed and currently offers ESL classes in south Polk County. Services are available throughout Polk and Montgomery counties, as well as through online distance modules, with flexible enrollment options.

The center has also expanded its role in connecting residents with employment opportunities, particularly since the closure of the Polk County Workforce Center in 2024. The AEJRC maintains a job wall on campus, shares local job openings through its Facebook page and with the Mena/Polk Chamber of Commerce, provides public access to computers and internet for job searches, and assists individuals with using Arkansas JobLink.

Through its broad range of free services, the Adult Education and Job Readiness Center helps remove barriers to education, workforce training, and career advancement.

Its exceptional high school equivalency pass rate is just one measure of that success, but the program’s larger impact can be seen in the many pathways it provides for individuals seeking to continue their education, earn workforce credentials, find employment, or advance in their careers.

For more information about the services available through UARM’s Adult Education and Job Readiness Center, contact the AEJRC at (479) 394-7622, extension 1680.

UA Rich Mountain provides transformative education to all learners.