The University of Arkansas at Monticello Homepage

The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Technology program at the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett (UAM-CTC) recently received accreditation from the HVAC Excellence Accreditation Review Board. Accreditation will remain in place through October 2032, when the program will receive its next comprehensive review.

HVAC Excellence was established in 1994 as part of the ESCO Group to improve the quality of education, training and workforce readiness in HVAC/R and building science industries. Its accreditation program, as defined on its website, establishes national standards for HVAC/R education and provides an independent, non-governmental review of individual educational programs to ensure that they meet or exceed the standards of excellence required for success in the HVAC/R workforce.

UAM-CTC applied for accreditation in May 2026, and HVAC Excellence conducted a site visit on the UAM-CTC campus, interviewing students, graduates and faculty in the program in September 2026 before reaching its determination this October.

“Achieving HVAC Excellence accreditation is a tremendous accomplishment, and I am extremely grateful for the support, leadership and commitment of UAM-CTC,” said Brad White, instructor of HVAC/R at UAM-CTC. “This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication of our college leadership and support staff, who continually provide the resources, encouragement and guidance needed for our program to succeed. I am proud to be part of an institution that believes in investing in its students, employees and the future of technical education.”

Dr. Tracy Tucker, vice chancellor of UAM-CTC, emphasized the importance of earning accreditation, stating, “Our accreditation and partnership with HVAC Excellence provides confidence to our students and partners that our technical training program is high quality. This accreditation designation also means that our program must remain responsive to the evolving needs of our industry partners, collaborate with industry partners for continuous improvement and provide an avenue for recruitment, since students, parents and stakeholders now know that this program is aligned to the national standards of HVAC Excellence. We are proud to offer this program here in southeast Arkansas as we aim to produce graduates that are adequately prepared for the workforce. We also appreciate the confidence from the state of Arkansas, specifically the Arkansas Department of Commerce, for including funding for this initiative in our workforce project to impact the associated industries in southeast Arkansas.”

The HVAC/R program at UAM-CTC offers a one-year curriculum of study, allowing students to earn both a certificate of proficiency (CP) and a technical certificate (TC). The CP meets the needs of individuals starting as HVAC/R helpers, and the TC builds on that foundation by providing additional essential competencies and supporting ongoing professional development.

“HVAC Excellence standards are developed with industry experts, so students know that the training they are receiving is aligned to industry recommendations,” Dr. Tucker said. “The independent review of our program against these national standards prepares our graduates with the knowledge and skills for success in today’s workforce.”

For more information about the HVAC/R program or how to apply, contact UAM-CTC at 870-460-2016.

 

---

 

Academics, UAM College of Technology-Crossett