STEM Park
Thursday, March 23, 2023Birds Eye
Skybridge Rendering
Science Building Floor-plan
Dear Friend of University of Arkansas- Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC):
UA-PTC’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs, which include our Allied Health, Business/IT, and Cybersecurity tracks, are vital to creating a robust, competitive, and modern central Arkansas workforce that is prepared for the technological requirements of 21st century jobs.
According to a recent report from the Arkansas Economic Development Institute using data from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, there is a current demand for nearly 3,300 skilled workers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in the state, yet the existing workforce is only less than 2,800 – a shortage of over 500 employees. This workforce gap is projected to grow to over 2,000 STEM employees by 2023 and will only continue to expand over the next decade.
In order to meet the local and regional demand for skilled laborers in these rapidly growing fields, UA-PTC is raising funds to build a new, state-of-the-art STEM Park. This project includes: a complete remodel of existing labs, a new two-story addition to the science building with a connecting sky bridge to the business/IT building, plus modern A/V and laboratory equipment. When the STEM Park is complete, total lab spaces will increase from 4 to 12, and classrooms will increase from 8 to 12. Presently, we are turning away 200-300 students wishing to take Science courses per semester. The proposed remodeling and new facility will allow those students to not only to enroll but go on to pursue related STEM professions.
The STEM Park ensures that the College continues to be an integral partner in providing highly skilled employees to Arkansas. This endeavor will not only strengthen our state STEM workforce, but help to positively transform it for the future.
Thank you for your support of UA-PTC and this project.
STEM Park Supporters
Asa Hutchinson
Former Arkansas Governor
John Boozman
U.S. Senator
French Hill
U.S. Congressman
Linda Chesterfield
Arkansas State Senator
Mark Johnson
Arkansas State Senator
Frank Scott
Little Rock Mayor
Joe Smith
Former North Little Rock Mayor
John Owens
NLR Chamber of Commerce President/CEO
Barry Hyde
Pulaski County Judge
Andrew Collins
Arkansas State Representative
Carlton Wing
Arkansas State Representative
Fred Love
Arkansas State Representative
Jamie Scott
Arkansas State Representative
Tippi McCullough
Arkansas State Representative
Marcy Doderer
Arkansas Children’s Hospital President/CEO
Gina Radke
Galley Support Innovations CEO
Cam Patterson, MD
UAMS Chancellor
Rajesh Chokhani
Welspun Tubular CEO