Albemarle donates lab supplies for the pilot Concurrent Career and Technical Education program at MHS
At Southern Arkansas University, opportunity is taking root in a new way. Concurrent career and technical education (CTE) is being delivered to regional high school students through educational partnerships formed as a result of LiTHIUMLEARNS, an Arkansas HIRED Grant, providing workforce development and hands-on training to high school juniors and seniors.
Albemarle, an integral industry partner and supporter of LiTHIUMLEARNS, has further strengthened the concurrent CTE program by generously donating essential supplies for hands-on training, such as personal protection equipment to enhance safety training and a mannequin that will be used to simulate workplace scenarios. Team members from Albemarle are also serving as guest instructors during labs to provide students with the opportunity to engage with and learn from industry leaders.
This new educational opportunity is one of the initiatives being delivered as a result of the $2.75 million HIRED Grant awarded to SAU earlier this year which created LiTHIUMLEARNS, which will, among other initiatives, facilitate concurrent career and technical education for high school students who currently do not have access to CTE programs or who do not have access to CTE programs directly related to the chemical industry. HIRED is short for Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development.
Concurrent CTE allows high school students to obtain workforce development skills and earn college credit during their junior and senior years of high school. LiTHIUMLEARNS is focused on the expansion of CTE programs that will support the critical minerals industry in Southwest Arkansas, one of which is the Industrial Engineering Technology program with an emphasis in chemical process technology that South Arkansas College offers. A pilot IET program was launched at Magnolia High School this fall.
Through the collaborative program, students receive online academic instruction at MHS from a South Arkansas College instructor while an MHS chemistry teacher facilitates in the classroom. Students then come to SAU weekly to receive hands-on lab instruction from a South Ark instructor utilizing SAU’s engineering labs.
Albemarle team member trains students on the proper use of safety equipment.
“Current high school students will earn credentials that will make them attractive to employers to immediately go into the workforce or accelerate their time to obtain a degree in related fields. Our collaborative approach to workforce readiness is creating job awareness and removing the barriers to skill development. The HIRED grant investment by the state of Arkansas is such a wonderful opportunity for Southwest Arkansas and such an encouragement to our industry partners investing in critical mineral projects in the Smackover Formation,” said Sheryl Edwards, associate vice president for strategic initiatives and director of LiTHIUMLEARNS.
Those who complete the first two semesters (fall and spring) will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Proficiency and graduate from high school with a diploma of merit. Students who continue and complete the second year of courses will be eligible to receive a Technical Certificate and graduate from high school with a diploma of distinction.
Dr. Robin Sronce, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said SAU is excited about the program and what it can do for Magnolia, Columbia County, and the surrounding area. “We are excited to have such a strong group of partners – including employers, K-12, community colleges, and community organizations – working together to prepare our workforce for the future,” said Sronce. “The program at Magnolia is the first step in the opportunities that will come from the HIRED Grant.”
This pilot program may have launched at MHS, but Edwards said LiTHIUMLEARNS and SAU plan to expand the program during the fall of 2026 to make it available to every high school in Columbia County, as well as neighboring counties. She is also working with other partners, such as the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, to launch its construction technology program across regional high schools using a similar collaborative model.
“Our vision is to expand CTE programs to all high schools in Columbia County as well as collaborate with our two-year partners and Southwest Arkansas high schools to replicate programs across our region and build a homegrown talent pipeline for the critical mineral industry,” said Edwards.
About SAU:
SAU, located in Magnolia, Arkansas, provides students with a complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today. As part of this commitment, SAU proudly offers the Next Step Guarantee program, ensuring that students receive the necessary resources, career guidance, and support to transition successfully from college to their chosen careers or graduate studies. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.
