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This fall, the University of Arkansas at Monticello began offering Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) courses through a regional partnership with Watson Chapel Public Schools and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).

Beginning this semester, students from Watson Chapel High School can earn concurrent credit for JROTC coursework through a collaboration with UAM and UAPB. UAPB, which operates an active ROTC program, has partnered with UAM to review and approve course syllabi and faculty credentials, allowing UAM to offer collegiate credit for the Military Science I courses delivered at Watson Chapel. Each course provides three hours of UAM college credit and one unit of high school credit.

As part of the partnership, Watson Chapel students will visit UAM’s campus at least four times throughout the year. Each visit will include interactive sessions with UAM’s nursing program, introducing students to career opportunities in military healthcare. UAM also plans to ensure participating students earn CPR and first aid certification by the end of the academic year.

“This initiative represents the very best of what higher education can offer through collaboration. By connecting high school students, college students and university faculty with military leaders, we are creating a pathway that strengthens academic opportunity, cultivates leadership and prepares students for success,” said Crystal Halley, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at UAM.

Over the past 18 months, UAM has worked closely with retired U.S. Army Colonel Nathaniel “Nate” Todd, member of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees and former secretary of the Arkansas Department of Veteran Affairs; Lieutenant Colonel Nicolai Birch, former professor of military science at UAPB; Master Sergeant George Dixon, senior instructor of military science at UAPB; Lieutenant Colonel Waddy, professor of military science at UAPB; Dr. Keith McGee, superintendent of Watson Chapel; Major Darryle Small, instructor of Army JROTC at Watson Chapel; Sergeant First Class Jimmy Dale Stocker, instructor of Army JROTC at Watson Chapel; and leaders at the high school and both universities to launch the program.

In the fall of 2024, UAM launched a section of the freshman military leadership course. That same semester, JROTC cadets from Watson Chapel served as the color guard during UAM’s Military Appreciation football game and participated in game-day activities alongside National Guard and active Army personnel.

Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, stated, “Partnering with the Watson Chapel School District to offer UAM concurrent credit for JROTC coursework not only gives students a valuable head start on their college education but also strengthens our relationship with an outstanding public school to instill leadership, discipline and a lifelong commitment to service. Dr. Keith McGee and his staff are true visionaries who understand the importance of building partnerships among educational institutions and agencies like the military to create new, meaningful pathways for students.”

To help reduce the financial burden for participating students, UAM will utilize the Arkansas Division of Higher Education’s Access to Acceleration Scholarship. This scholarship covers $65 per credit hour for up to 15 hours per semester, making early college opportunities more accessible for students while also preparing them for future leadership roles.

“UAM is proud to be a university that supports the military,” Dr. Doss said. “By earning college credit while still in high school, these students are accelerating their education, gaining access to valuable career opportunities and discovering life-changing possibilities such as ROTC scholarships. JROTC programs provide essential life skills such as teamwork, responsibility and problem-solving, which are tools that prepare students for success in any career they choose. This partnership further strengthens our ties with UAPB, Chancellor Anthony Graham and the broader military community as we work together to prepare the next generation of leaders for our state and our nation.”

For more information about the JROTC courses, contact Crystal Halley at halleyc@uamont.edu or 870-460-1833.