Center for the Arts
Arkansas State University-Newport was founded as White River Vocational Technical School in 1976. In 1991, the school merged with ASU-Beebe becoming ASU-Beebe/Newport and in April 2000, the Arkansas Board of Higher Education gave its approval for ASUN to become a stand-alone campus. The institution was tasked with obtaining a separate budget appropriation, gaining accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and hiring a Chancellor. Those tasks were completed and, in 2002, ASU-Newport became a stand-alone college. Also In, 2002 Jackson County residents supported the institution by passing a half-cent sales and use tax dedicated to ASU-Newport. The tax passed with 67% of the votes. Since 2002, enrollment has nearly tripled. The college now has three campuses... Newport (main campus), Jonesboro, and Marked Tree.
Philosophy of ASUN
The essential purpose of Arkansas State University-Newport is to provide a two-year postsecondary program of education responsive to the needs of the clientele. The faculty and staff share a commitment to the belief that both traditional and non-traditional students should be given a continuing opportunity for development and extension of their skills, knowledge, and awareness of their role in society. Arkansas State University-Newport realizes this primary objective as students:
(1) enter the college
(2) find programs compatible with their goals
(3) persist in higher education until their goals are obtained
(4) subsequently, become responsible members of society
