Workforce Strategies for a Thriving Region: Healthcare
The University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas, Crowder College, and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis invite you to join Workforce Strategies for a Thriving Region: Healthcare, a free training event focused on healthcare innovation and opportunities across Northwest Arkansas, Southwest Missouri, and the broader tri-state region. This event is a part of a quarterly, collaborative series designed to advance workforce solutions in multiple sectors.
This quarterly series builds on the success of the I-49 Workforce Summit, offering a deeper, more focused exploration of the most pressing challenges affecting our regional labor market. Each event brings together leaders from education, industry, government, and community organizations to engage in meaningful conversations around timely workforce topics.
These interactive, solutions-oriented sessions aim to:
- Identify persistent workforce barriers and systemic challenges
- Highlight innovative and scalable practices already underway
- Foster partnerships and regional alignment to drive real progress
A draft agenda for our conversation focused on healthcare can be found HERE.
Space is limited. Registration is FREE but is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
REGISTER HERE!
In partnership with:
Workforce Strategies for a Thriving Region: Upcoming Events
Save the dates for upcoming topics in the “Workforce Strategies for a Thriving Region” series! Session topics and dates include:
- December 5, 2025: Strategies for Engaging Disconnected Populations – Supporting individuals facing barriers to workforce participation
- March 26, 2026: Manufacturing – Adapting to automation, skill gaps, and regional employer needs
- June 10, 2026: Housing and Childcare – Tackling two of the biggest non-wage barriers to workforce stability
Registration links for upcoming events can be found on this landing page and will be available soon.
About the Community Development Pipeline Program
The University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED) received a three-year grant from the Walton Family Foundation to support the development and implementation of the Community Development Pipeline program. The vision of the Community Development Pipeline program is to train community leaders on foundational community and economic development principles, positively impact and uplift the economies and quality of life of communities whose leaders participate in the program, and develop new relationships that build bridges across Arkansas communities. The CD Pipeline program will provide training and technical assistance to community leaders in Washington and Benton counties.
Twenty-five (25) community leaders from Benton and Washington counties have been selected to participate in the Pipeline program. Leaders were identified through a competitive application process using the following metrics: field of work, experience, professional goals, desire to participate in the program, geography, and other demographics.
The leaders selected are as follows:
Read the press release announcing the participants HERE.
These cohort members will receive:
- A three-year scholarship (Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3) and travel expense support to the University of Central Arkansas Community Development Institute (CDI)
- The opportunity and support to become certified as a Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED)
- Access to a variety of technical assistance support services for their community (based on community needs)
- Networking opportunities with leaders across the state and nation
If you have questions, please contact Shelby Fiegel at sfiegel@uca.edu or by calling 501-450-5269.
