Whether you own woodland property or simply have an interest in forestry, this hands-on course provides practical knowledge for managing Arkansas's forests. Topics include chainsaw safety, edible plants and mushrooms, basic forest management, evaluating standing timber, timber sale contracts, and woodland stewardship. Participants will also complete the two-day Qualified Prescribed Burner (QPB) Course, which combines classroom instruction with a live prescribed burn demonstration. Students who successfully complete the course requirements and pass the certification exam will become certified Qualified Prescribed Burners, allowing them to legally conduct prescribed burns in accordance with Arkansas regulations.

Class Details: 

The class begins Tuesday, September 8, from 6 PM - 8 PM and meets every Tuesday through November 10. A controlled prescribed burn will be conducted at the University of Arkansas Livestock & Forestry Station on Saturday, November 7. Additional class details will be provided by the instructors during your class. Unless otherwise noted, classes will be held at the UACCB Gateway Center, room 1412, at 2210 E. Main St. Batesville, AR. 

Class Instructors: 

Michael McGowan is the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture System Forest Manager and a Registered Forester (#1494) with more than 25 years of forestry experience. Since joining the University of Arkansas in 2007, he has managed approximately 20,000 acres of forestland while coordinating forestry and natural resources research across multiple experiment stations. Michael's expertise spans forest management, timber operations, agricultural technology, emerging applications of artificial intelligence in forestry, and is a licensed drone pilot. 

Daniel Greenfield is a Private Lands Biologist with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, where he has worked for 23 years after earning a bachelor's degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Arkansas Tech University in 2004. Since 2011, he has helped private landowners across five counties improve wildlife habitat through sound land management practices. Daniel has extensive experience teaching landowners how to safely and effectively use prescribed fire as a valuable wildlife and land management tool.

Jacob Hackman is the Assistant Professor at the Forestry Management & Forestry Extension of the University of Arkansas. Jacob has spent more than 10 years studying fungal and forest ecosystems, with research focused on the hidden underground interactions between fungi and trees. He earned a bachelor's degree in Crop Science and a master's degree in Plant Pathology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. In 2023, he completed his Ph.D. in Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University. His expertise brings a strong scientific foundation in forest ecology, plant health, and fungal biology. 

This training is made possible through a partnership between the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and UACCB.

Build. Code. Create.

The Tween Robotics Club brings tweens, ages 9 to 12, together to take on exciting new engineering and programming challenges using LEGO® Spike Essentials robotics kits. Work with friends to design robots, program their movements, and put them to the test in friendly competitions.

From obstacle courses and races to imaginative problem-solving missions, each session offers a fresh challenge that blends creativity, teamwork, and STEM skills. No prior experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to try something new!

The class is led by Ken Meyers with the Independence County Library. 

• Register by calling the Library at 870-793-8814
• The class runs from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
• It's held at the Library in downtown Batesville

This program is made possible through a collaboration between the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) and the Independence County Library, working together to spark curiosity, inspire learning, and make STEM fun for the next generation.

CDL Permit Prep

Get Ready to Pass Your Commercial Learner's Permit Exam.

Course Description

This class is designed to help future CDL drivers prepare for the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) exam. Students will learn how to navigate the Arkansas CDL Manual, use CDL study tools and practice tests, utilize the CDL Prep mobile app, and schedule their permit exam. 

What Students Will Learn

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Download and navigate the Arkansas CDL Handbook 2026.
• Identify key topics covered on the CLP knowledge exam.
• Use the CDL Prep App and online study resources effectively.
• Complete practice tests and identify areas needing improvement.
• Understand the permit testing process and required documentation.
• Schedule a permit exam appointment.

Class Details

The class is 1.5 hours long and will be held on Friday, September 18th from 10 AM - 11:30 AM in the Welcome Center, room 217. Katrina Stevens, Community Education Coordinator, will facilitate the class. 

What to Bring

Students will need to bring a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to class. 

Cost 

This class is free. 

This wildland firefighting course is provided by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division. This class introduces how fire departments and Forestry Division personnel will work together to stop a fire. Wildland firefighting and structural firefighting are very different situations, yet we share many of the same thought processes when we deal with fires. The instructor for this class is Regina Gregory. Course length: 8 hours. 

This class will not qualify you as a wildland firefighter, however, you will learn how the Forestry Division works on fire incidents. Through communication, cooperation, and coordination, our agencies will be able to provide a positive outcome to the incident, the fire is extinguished. We always do this with safety in mind.

In order to receive a certificate for this course, the student must: Attend the entire course, take an end-of-course test, and pass the test. The test will cover the course material. 

About the instructor:

Regina Gregory began her career in forestry in May 2005 as a Fire Plow Operator, where she played a crucial role in combating wildland fires. After a decade of dedicated service, Ms. Gregory was promoted to County Ranger in October 2015, assuming a broader range of responsibilities within the forestry department. In July 2021, she took on a new challenge as a Wildland Training Instructor, sharing her knowledge and expertise to train the next generation of forestry professionals.

For more information, call 870-612-2082 or email katrina.stevens@uaccb.edu

Your Fire Career Starts Here

Prepare for a career in the fire service through comprehensive Firefighter I (FFI) and Firefighter II (FFII) training that combines classroom instruction with hands-on, fire-ground experience. Students will develop essential skills in fire suppression, structural firefighting, hazardous materials, wildland firefighting, traffic incident management, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) use, and other critical emergency response operations. The program includes practical skills training, live-fire exercises, job performance requirements, and written examinations aligned with Arkansas Fire Training Academy (AFTA) standards and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1010. Successful completion of the required coursework and examinations may lead to AFTA, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), and Pro Board certification in Firefighter I and II. The complete FFI & FFII pathway requires a minimum of 320 hours of training and is designed to prepare students to perform safely, confidently, and effectively as professional firefighters. This program is a partnership between the participating fire departments of Independence County and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB).

Tuition

The Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship will cover 100% of the tuition for eligible students.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an Arkansas resident for at least 12 months.
• Must be a high school graduate or have received a high school equivalency (GED).

Get Started

To register for this program and secure tuition coverage through the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship, follow these steps:

• Apply to the program by clicking "Add to Wait List" at the link above.
• Get a signed Student Sponsorship Letter from your Fire Chief. This process includes completing a physical exam through your fire department.
• Provide a copy of your high school diploma, transcript, or GED to workforce@uaccb.edu.
• Call 870-612-2082 or email to schedule an appointment to complete your Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship application.

Class Schedule and Location

• Dates: October 6, 2026 – April 15, 2027
• Days & Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Course Hours: 360
• Location: White River Firefighter Training Center at UACCB 

Prerequisites & Clearances

Prerequisites and clearances required for enrollment must be completed before registering for the Firefighter Rookie School.

Required Before Enrolling in Firefighter Rookie School

• CPR Certification — Must be completed before enrolling and prior to the start of the program.
• Physical & Administrative Clearance — Required clearance confirming the student meets the program’s physical and administrative requirements.
• Medical Clearance — A full physical evaluation clearing the student for rigorous physical training and hands-on practical activities.
• Student Sponsorship Letter — A signed letter from the student’s Fire Chief confirming the student’s sponsorship, clearance, and completion of required prerequisites.

Required Certifications

Must Be Completed Prior to Firefighter I Testing

The following certifications must be completed before the student is eligible for Firefighter I testing:

• TIMS — Traffic Incident Management Systems
• ICS-100 — Introduction to the Incident Command System
• ICS-200 — Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
• IS-700 — National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
• IS-800 — National Response Framework, An Introduction
• Wildland Firefighting

Important: Students should carefully review these requirements and begin completing the required certifications early. The prerequisites & clearances listed above must be completed before registering. The required certifications must be completed prior to Firefighter I testing. 

How to Submit

Once completed, submit your Student Sponsorship Letter using any of these methods:

• In-Person: Bring documents to the Welcome Center. 
• Email: Send documents to workforce@uaccb.edu.
• Phone: Call 870-612-2082 to finalize your enrollment and application.

Deadline to Register

The deadline to register and have all requirements completed is strictly 2 weeks prior to the course. Deadline is September 22, 2026. 

Act fast — seats are limited!

A minimum of 6 students is required for the class to run. The maximum enrollment is 20 students. 

Take the first step today

• Your career as a certified firefighter starts here!
• Call 870-612-2082
• Email workforce@uaccb.edu
• Visit the Welcome Center on UACCB's campus

iBienvenidos! Beginner Spanish for Work & Community is a six-week, twelve-session course that helps adult learners build practical Spanish skills for the workplace, community, and daily life. English speakers already know more Spanish than they think, and this course builds on that foundation from day one - using shared vocabulary, place names, and familiar contexts like the clinic, store, and workplace to make the language feel immediately accessible. Etymology is used throughout as a memory tool, connecting Spanish words to their English relatives so new vocabulary sticks faster. Students learn to greet colleagues and customers, navigate health and safety conversations, discuss food and family, and tell simple stories about their past and future, with cultural insight woven into every lesson. This course keeps anxiety low and curiosity high, treating every error as evidence of trying rather than a reason for correction. It doesn't promise fluency - it delivers something more lasting: the confidence to reach across a language barrier and the realization that the distance between you and your Spanish-speaking neighbors was never as wide as it seemed.

Class Details

This class will be held October 13 - November 19 on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 6 weeks from 6 PM - 7:30 PM. 

About the Instructor

Michele Jennae (Michele Battershell) has been speaking Spanish since 1991, after two years of high school study gave way to full immersion learning. She went on to live in Mexico for five years, deepening her fluency and her connection to Latin American culture. She considers herself multi-lingual and multi-cultural, with a lifelong love of words and their power to carry ideas across space and time. She brings that passion for language into the classroom. 

Cancellations: To cancel a class, five (5) business days' notice prior to the course starting date is required to withdraw and receive a refund.

Learn the basics of Excel including entering and formatting numbers and text; ranges; copying and moving data; basic formulas; data entry short-cuts like filling in a range, autosum, auto complete and autofill; relative and absolute cell references; searching Help; formatting and printing. 

Testimonial: "Rhonda Williams was a wonderful instructor. She was very knowledgeable and easy to follow. I would take more of her courses in the future." Bailey Morris

Testimonial: "Loved my instructor. She was very knowledgeable and also made class fun!" Magan Rogers

Cancellations: To cancel a class, five (5) business days' notice prior to the course starting date is required to withdraw and receive a refund.

Build. Code. Create.

The Tween Robotics Club brings tweens, ages 9 to 12, together to take on exciting new engineering and programming challenges using LEGO® Spike Essentials robotics kits. Work with friends to design robots, program their movements, and put them to the test in friendly competitions.

From obstacle courses and races to imaginative problem-solving missions, each session offers a fresh challenge that blends creativity, teamwork, and STEM skills. No prior experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to try something new!

The class is led by Ken Meyers with the Independence County Library. 

• Register by calling the Library at 870-793-8814
• The class runs from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
• It's held at the Library in downtown Batesville

This program is made possible through a collaboration between the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) and the Independence County Library, working together to spark curiosity, inspire learning, and make STEM fun for the next generation.