Southern Arkansas University Tech Awarded Perkins Reserve Grant

Southern Arkansas University Tech Awarded $42,574 Perkins Reserve Grant to Upgrade Practical Nursing Technology

Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) has been awarded $42,574.76 in Perkins Reserve Grant funding to enhance instructional technology in its Practical Nursing (PN) program, strengthening hands-on training for students preparing to enter Arkansas’s growing healthcare workforce.

The funding will be used to modernize the Practical Nursing classroom, including the addition of an IV simulation pump, a key piece of equipment that allows students to practice critical nursing skills in a realistic, controlled learning environment.

Enhancing Hands-On Nursing Education in Rural Arkansas

The Perkins Reserve Grant is part of a federal funding program that supports career and technical education (CTE) institutions that meet specific criteria, such as:

• Serving rural or underserved communities

• Enrolling a high percentage of CTE students

• Addressing documented performance gaps

• Advancing programs aligned with high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers

SAU Tech qualified for the grant based on its strong commitment to workforce-aligned education and its role in expanding access to healthcare training in South Arkansas.

Statewide Perkins Funding Reflects Strong Proposal

This year, all 18 Perkins Reserve Grant applications statewide were approved, with:

• 11 institutions receiving full funding

• 7 institutions receiving partial funding due to prior-year allocations

• $568,417 total distributed across Arkansas colleges

SAU Tech received full funding, reflecting the quality of its proposal and the college's ongoing focus on innovative, student-centered instruction.

"Receiving full funding demonstrates the strength of our Practical Nursing program and our commitment to preparing students for success in high-demand healthcare careers," said Dr. Valerie Wilson, Vice Chancellor of Academics and Instruction.

IV Simulation Pump Expands Clinical Readiness

The new IV simulation pump will allow Practical Nursing students to gain hands-on experience with essential clinical skills before entering real-world healthcare settings. This technology helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice, improving student confidence, safety, and job readiness.

By upgrading classroom technology, SAU Tech continues to support its mission of delivering high-quality, career-focused education that meets the needs of employers and communities throughout the region.

Learn More About SAU Tech's Practical Nursing Program

SAU Tech's Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in healthcare through hands-on training, modern facilities, and workforce-aligned instruction.

Learn more about the Practical Nursing program and other CTE offerings at SAU Tech: https://www.sautech.edu/programs-degrees/nursing