Corning Native and BRTC VP Jason Smith Speaks at Corning Chamber Meeting

POCAHONTAS, AR, Mar. 3, 2020  – Monday, Jason Smith, a 2001 Corning High School graduate and current Vice President of Enrollment Management at Black River Technical College, spoke Monday at the Corning Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting.

Smith spoke of the new programs BRTC is implementing, including the new gunsmithing program, the 4-year bachelor\’s degrees to be offered at both Paragould and Pocahontas through Arkansas 4-year university partnerships, and the new traditional RN program.

Smith was also excited to announce the addition of the new BRTC mascot which was chosen by the students, community, faculty, and staff.  BRTC will officially launch its new mascot, the black hawks, in August during the first week of school.

Smith emphasized the importance of education and the value of attending a community college like BRTC for a student\’s first two years of general education courses, often referred to as basics.  “All of BRTC\’s general education courses transfer seamlessly to any Arkansas public university or college through the Arkansas Course Transfer System,\” he said.

Smith pointed out that students can save nearly $15,000 in one year by attending BRTC instead of a 4-year university.  \”Students and parents need to know that taking these classes at BRTC and transferring them to a 4-year can save many thousands of dollars during the first two years of college.”  Because universities often require freshmen to live on campus, expensive housing and meal plans are added to a university’s tuition and fees, nearly doubling expenses.

\”I\’m incredibly proud to be from Corning,” Smith said, “and I want our citizens to know that BRTC is OUR college.  I am proud of the tremendous educational value that BRTC offers to our students and community.\”

If you are interested in enrolling in BRTC, contact the Enrollment Management Office at (870) 248-4000 for more information.