The University of Arkansas at Monticello has launched its UAM Collegiate Academy in partnership with Drew Central High School. The initiative marks the first time in Arkansas that a four-year university has partnered with a public school district to offer high school students a no-cost pathway to earning an associate degree before graduation.
The University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) was the first in the state among two-year colleges to develop a collegiate academy and has operated the model since 2018. UAHT lent insight to UAM’s planning team during the development of its own program, allowing UAM to build the first version of the academy among four-year institutions in Arkansas.
The UAM Collegiate Academy, which will begin in the fall 2026 semester, enables students to complete up to 60 hours of college credit during their high school years. The program empowers participants to earn a bachelor’s degree in as little as two years after high school, saving them time and money while accelerating their entry into professional careers.
“This is a soft introduction to the collegiate world for high school students,” said Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM. “It allows them to engage in career exploration and university life while in a very safe and supported environment, maturing with guidance from both high school teachers and college professors. This program reimagines the timeframe and method to deliver college degrees to students, creating an incredible return on investment.
Beginning this fall, qualifying Drew Central High School sophomores enrolled in the UAM Collegiate Academy will attend morning classes on UAM’s Monticello campus Monday through Friday. They will take two college courses in a classroom exclusively for high school students. Afterward, they will return to their high school for lunch and the remainder of the school day.
The UAM Collegiate Academy will be housed in the Memorial Classroom Building on UAM’s Monticello campus, with additional resources provided by the Center for Writing and Communication at UAM. Sarah Bloom, director of the center and associate professor of English at UAM, will serve as the academy’s director, ensuring that students have access to academic and personal support throughout their journey. The center will have a dedicated space for academy students to study, complete assignments and utilize tutoring services outside of class time. Drew Central High School teachers will offer additional support services throughout the week as the students complete their college course assignments.
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