LITTLE ROCK (Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025) – The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) recently announced three workforce development grants totaling $456,000 that were all awarded to University of Arkansas System two-year institutions.
ARDOT’s Transportation-Related Research and Workforce Development Program’s annual grant recipients include University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) being awarded $306,000, University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) earning $90,000, and University of Arkansas – East Arkansas Community College (UA-EACC) receiving a $60,000 boost.
“The emphasis our regional two-year colleges place on meeting their communities’ educational and workforce needs is truly inspiring,” said UA System President Jay B. Silveria. “Any additional funding realized through these ARDOT workforce development grants is reinvested right back into Arkansas communities through highly effective programming that’s already working to shore up more opportunities for Arkansans to thrive in the workforce.”
According to ARDOT, the purpose of the annual grant program is to help support the study of materials and sources to provide resilient and sustainable logistics, processes, materials, and methods to ensure cost-effectiveness and the furtherance of education and economic development in transportation. The grant program also supports industry training, apprenticeship, and educational programs for transportation-related personnel development.
At UACCM, Chancellor Lisa Willenberg says the new grant funding helps build on previous ARDOT awards to the institution’s Division of Workforce Education and Training.
“The ARDOT funding will support a new short-term, stackable degree and certificate pathway,” Willenberg said. “It builds upon the success of UACCM’s prior ARDOT funded training programs in Commercial Driver Training (CDT) and Heavy Equipment Operations (HEO). This additional program offering introduces flexible entry points and a clear pathway to meet industry demand for cross-trained workers who can not only operate heavy machinery but also transport it safely to and from job sites. We are grateful for the continued support we have been awarded and look forward to the opportunity to make an even greater impact for industry.”
At UACCB, Chancellor Brian Shonk, Ed.D., said the grant funding will be used to purchase a used triple-axle dump truck. This acquisition will serve as a shared instructional asset for UACCB’s Heavy Equipment Operations (offering a 15-credit Certificate of Proficiency and 22-credit Technical Certificate) and Class A/Class B CDL training programs. By integrating the dump truck into hands-on training, the project will simulate real-world construction site operations, including equipment coordination and materials transport, addressing regional shortages of qualified operators.
“We appreciate ARDOT for being proactive in providing this grant opportunity,” Shonk said. “Commercial truck drivers remain the occupation with the largest employment gap in Arkansas — more job openings than certified truck drivers. This grant will help us better prepare students for high-demand roles in construction and infrastructure.”
At UA-EACC, Chancellor Cathie Cline, Ed.D., said the grant funding will help continued development of one of the nation’s top diesel technology programs.
“We’re thankful for any additional funding we can put toward our mission of assisting local business and industry and in helping to develop the workforce in our region,” Cline said. “UA-EACC’s diesel technology program has been recognized as one of the best in the nation, and investing in industry-standard equipment enhances our effort to continue to offer best-in-class training opportunities for students, and ultimately providing them a pathway to attaining or enhancing their careers.”
