Corning Area Chamber of Commerce Member Spotlight – Black River Technical College
President: Dr. Martin Eggensperger. Governed by the Board of Trustees.
Phone Number: 870-248-4000
Email: info@blackrivertech.edu
Website: www.blackrivertech.edu
Number of Years in Business: 48 Years
About:
BRTC offers quality academic and career education with the purpose of enhancing the communities we serve.
BRTC is one of the last remaining technical colleges in Arkansas; most others are focused only on general education. We also work closely with individuals businesses and industries in our area to make sure we are addressing their workforce needs.
As a 2-year college, we put special emphasis on working integrally with our local community to address local needs and give back.
As a 2-year college, our students are from the local area and stay in the local area. University students come in from afar and often leave the university area. In effect, we are educating our neighbors and our future community leaders.
History:
Black River Technical College was founded in 1971 on land donated by the City of Pocahontas, and was known as Black River Vocational Technical School. The school was under the supervision of the Arkansas State Board for Vocational Education. It began with 38 students in 6 programs. The vocational school became the Black River Technical College in 1991, operating temporarily under the supervision of the Department of Higher Education. In 1993, the college became an independent institution of higher education. In 1995, the city of Paragould invited BRTC to offer classes, beginning the Paragould campus.
Future:
BRTC plans to increase its programs as needed by the communities and industries we serve. Over the next five years, BRTC will continue to offer and increase its programs to those needed by Northeast Arkansas, including credit and non-credit programs; work to increase student retention in college and graduation completion; and expand presence, strategic partnerships, and fundraising to better support the college, students, and programs.
We love Corning and look forward to helping Corning and Clay County residents however we can!
