Southern Arkansas University Tech has been awarded $42,574.76 in Perkins Reserve Grant funding to enhance instructional technology in its Practical Nursing (PN) program, strengthening hands-on training for students preparing to enter Arkansas’s growing healthcare workforce.
The funding will be used to modernize the Practical Nursing classroom, including the addition of an IV simulation pump, a key piece of equipment that allows students to practice critical nursing skills in a realistic, controlled learning environment.
The Perkins Reserve Grant is part of a federal funding program that supports career and technical education (CTE) institutions that meet specific criteria, such as:
— Serving rural or underserved communities
— Enrolling a high percentage of CTE students
— Addressing documented performance gaps
— Advancing programs aligned with high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers
SAU Tech qualified for the grant based on its strong commitment to workforce-aligned education and its role in expanding access to healthcare training in South Arkansas.
This year, all 18 Perkins Reserve Grant applications statewide were approved, with:
— 11 institutions receiving full funding
— 7 institutions receiving partial funding due to prior-year allocations
— $568,417 total distributed across Arkansas colleges
SAU Tech received full funding, reflecting the quality of its proposal and the college’s ongoing focus on innovative, student-centered instruction.
“Receiving full funding demonstrates the strength of our Practical Nursing program and our commitment to preparing students for success in high-demand healthcare careers,” said Dr. Valerie Wilson, vice chancellor of Academics and Instruction.
The new IV simulation pump will allow Practical Nursing students to gain hands-on experience with essential clinical skills before entering real-world healthcare settings. This technology helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice, improving student confidence, safety, and job readiness.
Your Facebook page may have a few hundred or a few thousand friends, most of whom don’t check your page frequently. Get your news or organization noticed by more than 11,000 daily visitors by sending information to our email address:
magnoliareporter.com is moving away from its social media account on X (formerly Twitter). Join us on Bluesky by downloading the Bluesky app and becoming a member. See what we post at @magnolia-reporter.bsky.social .
